Kaieteur News

Appeal Court to hear Exxon’s unlimited parent company guarantee case today

The appeal made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) of High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon's ruling, requiring the oil company to secure a parent guarantee f r o m E x x o n M o b i l Corporation will be heard today Appeal Court Justice, Rishi Persaud and two other Justices of Appeal are expected to preside over the matter,commencingat10:oo am.

On May 15 when the matter was called for case management,attorneyforthe EPA Sanjeev Datadin requested a Stay of Justice Kissoon's Order but his requestwasbluntlyrefused.

Justice Persaud told Datadin that a stay of the order was not required as he intends to hand down his ruling prior to the June 10, 2023 deadline in which Exxon is required to supply

theparentguarantee,tocover oil spill damages above the limited US$600 million insurance.

Had the stay been granted, it would have put a hold on Justice Sandil Kissoon's May 3, 2023 order for the company to provide, within 30 days, an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or unlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee, together with environmental liability insurance, as is customary in the international petroleum industry

Two citizens, Frederick Collins and Godfrey Whyte had approached the court for a declaration that EEPGL was in breach of its Liza Phase One Permit which requires the provision of an unlimitedparentguarantee.

In a May 3, 2023 ruling, Justice Kissoon ruled that EEPGL was in breach of its permit as it failed to furnish thecountrywithanunlimited parent and/or affiliate

guarantee for a potential oil spill in the Stabroek Block. The court ruled that in the absence of this guarantee, shouldtherebeacatastrophic oil spill, then the burden of thoseliabilitieswouldreston Guyanese.As such, the court gave EEPGL up to June 10, 2023 to comply or face the suspensionofitspermit.

The oil company in its appeal of the ruling told the Appeal Court that it could suffer a massive financial loss if the Liza One Permit is suspended.

It noted that the company hasproduced151,000barrels of crude petroleum per day for the year 2023 on average, throughMarch2023.

It explained that “This is approximately4.5Mnbarrels per month…the most recent month's average selling price for the Liza 1 petroleum was morethan$US75perbarrel.”

“This means the monthly revenue loss for the Appellant Esso, the Coventurers, and the State's

projected to be US$337.5m.

This would amount to $US337.5m. per month or $US4b per annum that wouldbeforfeitforeachyear while the appeal is pending,” thecompanystated.

Further, EEPGL said that

Production Licence is for a limitedtermoftimeand[the] Appellant may be unable to recover lost production implicatedbyasuspensionof thepermit.

As a result, EEPGL is

therefore petitioning the Guyana Court of Appeal to reverse and/or set aside the whole of Justice Kissoon's decision and to dismiss the case brought by litigants, Frederick Collins and GodfreyWhyte.

Guyana received US$95M in Royalty and gives away Exxon US$290M in taxes last year

Whilethenation received a m e a g e r

US$94.5 million in 2022 as royalty for its sweet light crude in the Stabroek Block, the country gave away US$290 million in taxes to m u l t i n a t i o n a l o i l corporation,ExxonMobil.

When the country signed the lopsided Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with the oil company in 2016, it agreed to pay the taxes on behalf of the Stabroek Block partners This means that not only did GuyanapaytaxesforExxon, but it also paid taxes on behalf of Hess Corporation andCNOOC.

The PSAstates atArticle 15.4 that the sum equivalent to the taxes owed by the

company will be paid by the Minister responsible for P e t r o l e u m t o t h e Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority(GRA).

According to the company's financial statements seen by this newspaper, it is understood that in 2022, its income tax expense amounted to GYD$59,381,186,433, whileroyaltypaidtoGuyana for that year only totaled GYD$18,892,021,213.

This means the country received three times less than what it lost in taxes to Exxon.

As a result of the lopsided terms embodied in the contract, Guyanese have been protesting for the deal to be renegotiated to ensure

the country benefits more fromitsresources.

GRA in the Auditor General's Report for the year 2021 reported that a total of US$1 billion in taxes were

Govt., oil companies united in keeping cost recovery numbers hidden

With recent revelations about the outsized profits of Exxon, Hess and CNOOC in 2022, more concerns have re-emerged about the shroud of secrecy those companies and the government of Guyana have cast over cost recovery for the Stabroek block.

With the super high 75% cost recovery ceiling of the Stabroek Block production sharing agreement (PSA), Exxon and its partners are able to recover their investments into offshore projects at a remarkable pace However, this has resultedinthethreeStabroek block companies being able to report outsized profits amounting to a collective US$5 9 billion in 2022 alone, while Guyana's total revenues from more than three years of oil production areonlyUS$2.4billion.

When will Guyana's share increase?The public is often told that one day, the Stabroek Block partners will recover their costs, resulting in more profit oil for Guyana; hence, more revenues into the Natural Resource Fund. But, like the coming of Jesus, whenever that day is, the public does notknow Writers in Kaieteur News' letter pages have attemptedtodeterminewhen Guyana's share would i

projected, for instance, that t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f investments made into Exxon's Liza Phases One and Two projects could be recovered before December 2024. However, the lack of ringfencing in the PSA has complicated the matter even more Because Exxon's Stabroek block projects are not ringfenced, the partners are able to recover investments made into Exxon's later projects before they even begin to produce.

Hence, in addition to the nearly US$10 billion investment into developing theLizafield-whenthatcost is recovered - they can start recovering the more than US$30 billion in combined developmentexpensesofthe Payara, Yellowtail and Uaru projects.

Further, because Exxon is practically adding a new project every year, each addition of expenses stretches the period of cost recovery out even more Exxonalsohasothercoststo recover, such as spending to drill exploration wells, which is happening every year Exxon will be exploring 10 wells in 2023 alone. Unlike the estimates p u b l i s h e d f o r t h e developments, neither Exxon nor the government has been forthcoming about how much is being spent to explorethosetargets.

waived for the oil companies. The report noted that the total tax exemptions granted to the oil and gas sector in 2021 amounted to GYD$203,888,000.

In January last year, Kaieteur News Publisher, Mr GlennLallfiledacasein Guyana's High Court

challenging some of the most repressive tax provisions of the Stabroek B l o c k P S A w i t h ExxonMobilanditspartners.

It wasn't until February of this year that the Court handed down its ruling, upholding the waiver of the taxestotheoilcompanies.

In his application, Mr Lall had contended among otherthings,thatmanyofthe provisions listed under Article15.1ofthePetroleum Agreement, dated June 27, 2016 between the GOG and the oil companies, grant exemptions to persons other than licensees, which violate the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act (PEPA), a n d t h e F i n a n c i a l Administration (and Audit) Act.

As such, the newspaper publisher had requested declarations from the Court that the provisions are

unlawful, null and void, and ofnolegaleffect.

In his ruling however, Justice Nareshwar Harnanan said the minister is vested with the power under Section 51 of the PEPA and the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (Tax laws) to grant EEPGL, CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited, and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, all companies that are parties to the case, concessions of extensivetaxexemptions. F o r i t s p a r t , ExxonMobil's subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)hadcontendedthat Lall stepped outside his boundary when he moved to the High Court to challenge the Government of Guyana's decision to grant extensive tax waivers to the oil operator anditsaffiliates.

E x x o n ' s c o u n t r y president in Guyana,Alistair Routledge, said in February that Exxon had recovered investments that would be equivalent to the original investment for Liza One. He said also that significant progress has been made in terms of repaying the investment on Liza Phase Two. He could not state how much has been paid off to date but noted that these details would be included in the company's financials This newspaper's multiple perusals of those documents h a v e u n c o v e r e d n o statements about cost recovery

The Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has placed his seal of approval on the effort to keep these numbers under a veil of uncertainty When asked by this newspaper to publish information in this regard, the Vice President said, “A lot of this is proprietary but in this environment and with anorganizationlikeKaieteur News, I would never want to releasethatbecausetheywill nitpick, they will take one word out of it and create a storyandlieaboutit.”

He said further that intermediate reports are not being released to the media anywhere in the world, implying that government is being guided by this precedent.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

Ray Daggers on the move by sitting still

ExxonMobil is playing hard and fast with the promise, prosperity, and safety of all Guyanese. The PPP/C Government,withVicePresidentJagdeointhelead,isalso playinghardandfastwithallthatcouldbebeneficialforthis countryanditscitizens. EnterRayDaggersagain,andheis comingbeforeGuyanathistimewithafastofhisown.

At age 65, Ray Daggers could standstill and rest easy But he is not, not when there is this horrendous and grotesque 2016 oil contract between ExxonMobil and Guyana. While the Government and Opposition are playing fast, with platitudes and complete insincerity, Ray Daggers is preparingto begin a FASTto bring attentionto the wealth of Guyana, and the poverty and plight of its peoples. This 65-year-old Guyanese stalwart is about to make the sacrifice, to lead the way, to set the example, by standing against this vile ExxonMobil contract that is nothinglessthanacapitalcrimeagainstGuyanese.

While Bharat Jagdeo defends ExxonMobil, and now kisses what he used to curse vehemently (the same odious contract), Ray Daggers is stepping up again, and on the move. Though he is in action and on the move, on this occasionheisdoingsobystandingstill. AFASTistoput thebodyunderthekindsofstressfulpressuresthatitisnot usually accustomed to, and which strains tissues and constitutiontoaheavydegree. Itisaboutfocusingphysical, mental,andspiritualenergiesforapowerfulcause,agreat void,thatistheresultofcircumstancesthatjustshouldnot be. TheExxonMobilmonstrosityofacontractthatitfoisted on Guyana, through the APNU+AFC Coalition Governmentin2016,issuchacompellingcause,becauseof the deep, wounding void that it brings and dumps on Guyanese.

Thisloathsomelegalconstruction,thisrepugnancethatcalls itselfanoilcontract,mustbecapsized,itmustbegroundedinto thedust,sothatGuyanesecanstartover,andcometoexperience therichfullnessoftheirpatrimony. RayDaggerswaspartofthe seriesofprotestsagainsttheuglyExxonMobilcontractawhile back. RayDaggerstookthingstoanotherleveljustrecently, whenhewalkedfromBerbicetoEssequibothroughDemerara, and again it was in fervent, patriotic objection to this beastly ExxonMobiloilcontract Now,Mr RayDaggers,Guyaneseto themarrowandthecore,andallof65yearsvintage,setshimself totakehisrageandresistancestillhigheragainstthisdespised ExxonMobiloilcontractbybeginningaFAST

ItisaFASTforabettercontract ItisaFASTformoreand forwhatisbeneficialtoallGuyanese RayDaggersisleading where our leaders (PresidentAli, Vice President Jagdeo, and OppositionLeadersNortonandRamjattan)arefearfulofgoing, areshrinkingfromdoing Insteadofwalkingagainst,speaking against,orfastingagainsttheExxonMobilcontract,thesetop politicalleadersofGuyanaareshieldingExxonMobil,sothat thecompanycanexploitGuyanesemore,andshaftthemstill more TheleadersofGuyanathatthepeopleelectedarejoining handswithExxonMobiltosuffocatecitizensandkeepthemin theweak,poor,anddividedstatethattheyare

Ray Daggers will start his FAST today, Monday May 29th. He has committed to this 12-hour daily sacrifice in front of the Office of the President. Ray Daggers is determinedtocontinuewiththisgroundbreakingFASTforas longasittakestobringtheneeded,honest,changesnotjustto theExxonMobilcontract,butwithaneyetoallcontractsinour rich natural resources (extractive) sectors For too long, government after government have either sold out, or given awayfornexttonothing,orbetrayedthepeopleofthiscountry, bygettingpittancesfortheirrichpatrimonies Itistimethatthe attentionoftheworldbecenteredonthemanyinjustices,the economic hideousness, that one foreign company after anotherhasinflicteduponGuyanese.

Itistimeforachangetothisstandard. Itistimeforother Guyanesetostandupandshowwhattheyaremadeof. RAY DAGGERSWALKED,NOWHEISFASTING. WHAT ABOUTYOU,GUYANA?

‘Randolph Persaud exposes the PPP’

In my letter last week, ‘After underfunding Georgetown for more than 25 years PPP now wants its citizens’ votes’ (KN: 22/05/2023), I made the followingpointsthatneedto be resurrected from the PPP’spropagandisticmorass in which Dr Randolph Persaudhassubmergedthem (‘Henry Jeffrey brings NaipaulandFanonalive,but for the wrong reasons,’KN: 24/05/2023).

Since the time of Aristotle, democratic political activity has been considered a virtuous activity, i.e., something with whichonebecomesinvolved not for personal gain but because one wishes to work forthegoodofsociety.Even the colonialists sought to hide their buying of votes, but today, the PPP is attempting to make of a virtueofpurchasingpolitical allegianceandvotes.

The PPP’s intention is to impoverish and degrade African individuals and institutions to force them into its ranks, and given Guyana’s ethnic political division, this kind of behaviour will not lose the PPP any substantial number ofvotesatthepolls.

The result is that after morethanatotalof25years in government, in 2022 Africans, who are 29.3% of thepopulation,receivedonly 10% of 288 government contracts while Indians, its core supporters who are 39.8% of the population, received 72 8% of those contracts. Furthermore, the government has been attemptingtoundermineand destroy African institutions such as IDPADA-G that are

DEAREDITOR

ThecallsIreceivedsince sharing a social moment, in London yesterday, with Guyana’smostreputableand loved journalist, Gordon Moseley of News Source, a media outlet that is supportedbyGuyanesefrom allwalksoflife,tellsmethat the PPP is afraid of its own shadow News Source is not a partisan political mouthpiece. It is a credible news outlet that enjoys a readership that surpasses all the government’s news entitiesputtogether

I understand the PPP’s viewofmyactivismandmy role as an opposition figure andIwillnotconcernmyself with the dictatorship’s harbouringofdeepfearsthat

seeking to improve the condition of the African people.

As is to be expected, the regime denies all of this but given its intention to establish political/ethnic dominanceinGuyana,i.e.,a form of ethnic apartheid, calls upon it to do an ethnic disparity analysis to either debunk or do something about such claims fall on deafears.

Freedom is the absence of necessity, coercion or constrain in choice or action and the regime’s attempts to buy the allegiance and votes ofanysubstantialnumberof Africansismorelikelytofail because from slavery Africans have had a history of struggle. Buying votes is immoralandillegal,butasin the past, where persons in both Indian and African communities took what was on offer, people should take what is offered but vote as theyplease.

Dr Persaud began by invoking V.S. Naipaul and Frantz Fanon as the backdrops for his little excursion.

Heclaimedthatalthough I invoked Aristotle, there is little evidence of “political science” in my presentation. So far as being scientific is concerned,Ibelievethatmy letterrepresentsasobjective an assessment of the PPP’s behaviour towards Africans asheislikelytoget.Aristotle was mentioned only to give an historical/philosophical indicationofthecenturiesof which Item 1 above: the buyingofvotesandentering politics to enrich one’s self hasbeenfrownedupon.

Ididnotsayawordinmy letter about the WPA or Tacuma Ogunseye, but he

its abysmal failure in government will inevitably see its rule abruptly come to anend.

My work is simple. It is tostrengthenandpreparethe Opposition to go into the national elections and solidifyavictorythatcannot bequestioned.Myworkisto hand Guyana back to all Guyanese and to see the nation’s wealth equally distributed to its citizens. I have a duty to not only see the liberation of African Guyanese from the PPP’s designed oppression emboldened by its racist shackles but to see Afro G u y a n e s e b e c o m e economically empowered andsociallyacceptable.

In the context of our

raised them because of their stance that the PPP is attempting to establish ethnic apartheid in Guyana, that a form of shared governanceregimeinwhich the major ethnic groups are represented at the executive decision-making table is required and that Africans must be prepared for a political battle to win such a regime.FrantzFanoniswell known for his belief in the redemptive power of struggle to the point where he suggested that ‘Violence ismanre-creatinghimself’. Dr Persaud said that “onemustalsobemindfulof Frantz Fanon’s warning, if indeed that is what it is, that ‘I will not make myself the manofthepast.Idonotwant to sing the past to the detriment of my present and my future... (and) in no way doesmybasicvocationhave tobedrawnfromthepastof peoplesofcolor.’”

IfPersaudwishestoturn theabovestatementofFanon into a warning, I am not singing ‘the past to the detriment of my present and my future’ but as a defence against the inhuman present and future the PPP has in store for theAfrican people. Furthermore,thereisaneven more popular warning ‘Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it’ and what follows indicates thatFanonwaswellawareof this.‘Theclaimtoanational culture in the past does not only rehabilitate that nation butserveasajustificationfor the hope of a future national culture Perhaps we haven’t sufficiently demonstrated that colonialism is not satisfied merelywithholdingapeople in its grip and emptying the

political history, I understand that I am still regardedasrelativelyyoung. I am certainly energised and focused.

Idonotgotobedearlyor liveinacocoonobliviousto modern life and all it has to offer I know the streets and the corridors where our powerbrokers trod. I believe in justice and abhor oppression. Freedom for all Guyaneseisamust.

I will not be deterred by the hypocritical cries of ‘witch-hunting’ from the wickedinourmidstwhenthe long and strong arms of justice grab Mr. Jagdeo, Mr. Ali and Mr. Nandlall. The innatefearthePPPpossesses is causing it to become very paranoidthatmyassociation

native’sbrainofallformand content By a kind of pervertedlogic,itturnstothe pastoftheoppressedpeople, and distorts, disfigures, and destroysit.’

Dr Persaud would have usbelieve,thatafter25years in government ‘no one shouldbesurprisedthatthere is a shortage of AfroGuyanese contractors and that is becauseAfricans ‘tell youngpeoplethatbusinessis evil,thattheyshouldinstead aim for a decent job in the public service, or the professions. This comment exposes the classic disrespectful and prejudicial excusesofthePPP Buteven ifthisisitsperception,ithas done everything to undermine African business possibilities – remember its approach to the Linden Bauxite pension fund – and nothingtoeventrytochange that situation at the same time as it complains about and try to rectify Indian disparity in the public and securityservices!

To the chagrin of Dr Persaud, let us return to the history that he and his party seekto‘distort,disfigureand destroy’ Total freedom from slavery was won in 1838 and by that year 4,646 Africanshadalreadybought 7,000 acres of land and formed the village movement;by1842theyhad bought 15,000 acres for some $250,000. Africans were leaving the plantations voluntarily en masse largely to establish their own businesses However, the truth is that large successful African businesses are most likelytoprovidedonationsto African political parties and thisrunscountertothePPP’s

(Continuedonpage06)

with anyone of substance in oursocietyhastobepolitical motivated. I am a Lindener and so is Gordon Moseley andthatisenoughtojustifya socialmoment.

In conclusion, I cannot be bought. There is nothing themegarichinGuyanacan offer me to sellout the poor, oppressed and trampled on, ofthatnation.Iamnot‘lickie lickie’.

It was a great pleasure meeting up with Gordon Moseley There is nothing like sharing a moment and engaginginsomegood‘ole’ Guyanese humour. Power to ‘GOMO’!

Sincerelyyours

NormanBrowne

and Political Activist

I will not sellout the poor and oppressed

Movement for Unity and Democracy committed to abiding by ERC Code of Conduct for Local Government Elections

DEAREDITOR

TheMovementforUnity andDemocracy,represented byDenzelSt.HillandFazal Hamid, attended the signing ceremony of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Code of Conduct for P o l i t i c a l Parties/Groups/Individuals

Contesting the Local GovernmentElections2023. Thissignificanteventmarks a milestone in the commitment to upholding theprinciplesofdemocracy, peace, and unity in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The Code of Conduct, which outlines essential provisions and laws to be upheld during the electoral process, is based on the Constitution of Guyana and specific articles and acts, including the Public Service’s freedom from political influence, protection of freedom of expression and assembly, non-discrimination, prevention of ethnic division, and other relevant legislationsuchastheRacial Hostility Act and the RepresentationofthePeople Act.

The Movement, along with other political parties, groups, and individuals, has unequivocally declared its support for the Code of Conduct, affirming the followingprinciples:

Non-violence and

Intimidation: The Movement strictly opposes and rejects any use of violence, intimidation, or plans to disrupt the campaign, Election Day, or post-election period Threats, harassment, or any form of violence aimed at causing disruption or intimidating individuals at rallies, meetings, or gatherings are strictly forbidden.

The Movement also prohibits any language that incites violence against

candidates, agents, or supporters of other contesting political parties/groups/individuals Additionally,theremovalor damage of campaign materials belonging to other contestants is strictly forbidden.

Finally, the use of intimidation or violence to discourage voters from participating in the electoral process is vehemently condemned.

F r e e d o m o f Expression and NonDiscrimination: The Movement acknowledges and respects the rights of p o l i t i c a l parties/groups/individuals to express their political views and conduct lawful, non-violent activities in supportoftheirobjectives.

The Movement firmly opposes any intimidation of media personnel and commits to respond factually to media misinformation

M o r e o v e r , t h e Movement pledges to prevent its candidates, agents, and members from engaging in behaviour, speeches, or statements that denigrate individuals or groups based on their ethnicity, promote racial or ethnic tension, or incite violence.

The Movement is committed to upholding the Racial HostilityAct and the RepresentationofthePeople Act.

Condemnation of Hate Speech:TheMovementcalls uponitssupporterstorefrain from any racially or ethnically derogatory expressions or actions, hate speech,oranyformofracial orethnicdiscrimination.

The Movement vows to condemn such actions whereverandwheneverthey arise.

Additionally, the Movement will take swift action by implementing

necessary sanctions against anymembersfoundguiltyof raciallyhostilespeech.

Responsible Social MediaUse:The Movement commits to removing any racially hostile or hate speech posts or comments from social media accounts affiliated with t h e p o l i t i c a l parties/groups/individuals

Such actions are in line with the Movement’s dedication to fostering a respectful and inclusive politicalenvironment.

TheMovement,together with other signatories, acknowledges that the failure to abide by the provisions outlined in the Code of Conduct may result in necessary actions and sanctions implemented by the Ethnic Relations Commission.

T h e M o v e m e n t believes that the Ethnic Relations Commission, in alignment with its constitutional mandate, will promptly investigate and intervene to prevent any breaches of this Code, ensuring safe, peaceful, and fear-free Local Government Elections in 2023

Today, on the 27th of May, 2023, the Movement for Unity and Democracy, represented by its General Secretary, Denzel St Hill a n d P r o p o r t i o n a l Representation Candidate, Fazal Hamid, affirms its commitment to this Code of Conduct, endorsing the provisionstherein

The Movement views the Code of Conduct as a crucial step towards fostering a democratic society that upholds the valuesofunity,equality,and respect for all Guyanese citizens.

Regards

DenzelSt.Hill GeneralSecretary

MovementforUnityand Democracy

DEAREDITOR

First of all: my deepest sympathytothefamiliesand tothenationasawholewith regard to the death of so many young people in the primeoftheirlives.

The nation is in Mourning

The loss of lives especially those at a tender age is a great tragedy; in this case 19 A number of others were seriously injured while those who survived would be traumatized

I suggest a team of personnel be sent into Mahdia to counsel the children and parents I simply cannot imagine the feelings of the p a r e n t s o f t h o s e children One of the hardest things in life is to bury one’s own child

I was dumfounded to learn that the building had only one door that was not padlocked.

How can this be in a building that is fully grilled? It makes me wonder whether officials from the government visit these facilities

Iftheydid,didtheynot realise that something was wrong? Did any education Officer ever visit?

One resident of the villageonvideoalleges thatMinisterPaulineSukhai would visit Mahhia and wouldremaininthehotelall day but does not visit the community I am thinking that this could not be true but neverthelessthisneedstobe investigated.

Iftrue,doesshepayherown airfareordoestheMinistry?

Where were the caretakers?

I was made to understand there was onlyonedorm’smother Was

therenosecurityinplace?

Thisshouldbeawakeup call and the authorities that they must exercise even greater scrutiny when it comes to government buildings Maybe I am wrong but maybe because it is government buildings suchscrutinyisoverlooked.

Iamwonttobelievethat the authorities do not learn frompasttragedies.Infact,I do not believe the Governmentevenlistentoor simplycare.

We have the Department of Public Information but in addition,eachMinistryhasa PR Department I am wondering if they read the letter columns to hear what the public is saying and to respond.

Ifnot,thenthatshouldbe partoftheirduties.

Recently, I called the PR of a Ministry I pointed out that I wrote a coupleoflettershighlighting things relevant to the said Ministry.

Theydidnotevenseemy letters much less respond. I wrote a letter discussing the education system No response.

O n t h e 7 t h

O c t o b e r 2 0 2 1 , Stabroek News published my letter captioned, “Position fire extinguishers andsmokealarminstrategic locations in every governmentbuilding”.

This was after the B r i c k d a m P o l i c e Stationfireandanumberof fires that burnt down schools.

No action seems to have been taken Well, the Minister of Education, after seeing one, and another and another school burnt to the ground, did it not occur to her to put some measures in place?

Where is she living?

In the clouds?

What about the

leadership of the education department?

Iwroteadvisingonsome thingsthatneedtobedoneto improve our performance in mathematics and English andgenerallytoimprovethe standard of delivery of education,noresponse.

I have not read anything inthepressthatsuggestsshe has a strategy to improve same.

WhataboutthePresident and his advisors? Where is theVPasheseemstobeinall and everything? It seems as though all they are concentrating on is big infrastructureworksandfast tracking approvals for EXXON. Maybe they have theirreasons.

One of the problems facing this nation is a divided people, kept divided to suit the purpose of the political parties. Our people need to unite at the bottom.

Only such unity of a c t i o n c a n h o l d government accountable. They are not concentrating ongeneralgovernance. The Micro level and needsarenotintheirsight. Listen to the people’s voices The letter column is one way Be educated by them. Respond to them actonthem.

I know there would be a lot of blame passing but I ask after all these firesat publicbuildings,didCabinet ever discuss this and strategies to avert such incidents or to avert sever damagesifsuchtakesplace.

Well it is clear that this was not addressed as nothingwasputinplace

The buck stops there. Your Excellency and Honourable Vice President, overtoyou.

With regard to this, your governmentgetsan“F”.

RajendraBisessar BscSociology,LLB

I do not believe the Government even listen to or simply care

urge the ExxonMobil shareholders to vote in favour of resolution #14

DEAREDITOR

, In a shareholder document released on April 13,2023ExxonMobilmakes this claim, “ExxonMobil’s affiliate [EEPGL] works cooperatively with the Guyana Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) to ensure environmental permitting relating to exploration, development, andproductionactivityfully complieswithGuyanalaw.”

It states, “ activist litigation to halt oil and gas production has failed in the courts, and pending litigation against the Government of Guyana (in which ExxonMobil’s local affiliatehasintervened)also is expected to fail.” This rash judgement did not anticipate the well-reasoned

judgement of Justice

Kissoon on May 3, who eloquently ruled, see j u d g e m e n t h e r e , https://wwwoggn org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/05/Ju

stice-Sandil-KissoonRuling-EPA-20230503 pdf, thattheEPAdidnotproperly adheretowhatwaswrittenin the Liza 1 permit, that there is need for insurance and parentcompanyguaranteeto protect Guyana in case of a devastatingoilspill.

While this decision is under appeal, we are confident that Justice Kissoon’s decision will be upheld at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The CCJ is the apex court for Guyana.

ExxonMobil did not anticipate the resolve of

Lack of empathy

Guyanese civil society activists such as Frederick Collins and GodfreyWhyte. Civil Society engaged the courts of Guyana to enforce the Liza 1 permits that were signed by EEPGL and the GuyanaEPA.

Another recent example was when civil society members Vanda Radzik, Danuta Radzik and Raphael Singh in December won theircaseversustheEPAand Schlumberger Guyana over afacilitytostoreradioactive substances, see court ruling h e r e : https://wwwoggn org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/05/Ra dzik-et-al-v-EPA-et-alDecision-Harnanan-J.pdf.

ExxonMobil in its proxy documenttoitsshareholders (Continuedonpage16)

We will rise from the ashes

D

EAREDITOR

The tragedy that took place at Madhia where 19 lives were lost and a number of others injured will forever be etched in our memory.

Thefierydeathanddestructionthatbefell ushasleftatraumaticscaronallofus,notjust the families in Madhia; that indelible scar would be left with us for a long time. But amidstoursorrowandgrief,welookforward toabettertomorrow,aswerepairandrebuild ourcommunityfromthistragicloss.

The tragedy itself will not go away so easily,butwillstayonwithusforalongtime.

Wemournourlosswithdignity,notwithout hope,butwithrenewedstrengthandfortitude aswelooktowardthefuture.Wecannotundo the past but we can and will redouble our focus as we learn from this horrible past event, and move forward with renewed purpose to ensure that this does not happen again.

So,werisefromtheashesastimewould healandmoveusontoabrighterday,onethat would be life fulfilling for our children and theirchildrencomingafterthem.

Respectfullysubmitted,

NeilAdams

DEAREDITOR,

Oneofthebiggestthreats to Guyanese right now isn’t racial inequality or Venezuela, but the growing lack of empathy and indifference of the public andpoliticalleaders.

A few days ago, 19 children died in a torture chamber

It wasn’t the first time people died in a torture chamber, and I’m betting you that it will not be the lasttime

These children’s death is the most deplorable death-in-dormitorycasein thehistoryofGuyana

Now the family is seeking accountability

These children were completely reliant on their caregivers to provide both day-to-day care as well as the acute life-saving care thatwasneededtosavethem intheeventofafire.

Guyanese prove they are their own worst enemy.

Afewyearsago,Igave some smoke detectors to my family in Guyana, and I educated them about the importance of having smoke detectors in their home

Itookthesepeopletomy homeandshowedthemhow I have smoke detectors everywhere in my house.

Andyet,thesepeoplerefuse to get smoke detectors and fireextinguishers.

Fast forward 10 years, thesmokedetectorsIgaveto myfamilyarestillhangingat the same place I put them. The life span of them has been long since expired There is no battery inside of them. The smoke detectors havebecomeornamentsand a reminder that at one time theyhadsmokedetectors.

Their house is heavily grilled and nowhere to escapeafire

And yet, no smoke detectors and no fire extinguisher

This is why I said that Guyanese are their own worstenemy

Guyanese don’t want to learn from their mistakes, and so they repeattheirmistakes

How in the world

y o u c a n h a v e a dormitory and not have smoke detectors and fire

extinguishers? The answer is because you have a society that lacks empathy and is indifferent

“Th e w o r s t s in towards our fellow creatures is not to hate t h e m , b u t t o b e indifferent to them,”

someonesaid

If I were to make a

guess, I would say 99 percent of Guyanese doesn’t have smoke detectors and fire extinguishersintheirhomes. Guyanese like to learn the hardway

“It will never happen to me,”theysay Nomatterhowmuchthe country is growing economically and becoming oneoftherichestcountriesin theworld,unfortunatelythis will not change the mindset ofpeople.

Changing economically ismucheasierthanchanging mentally T h e m i n d s e t o f Guyanese is to wait until a disaster happens to make a change and sometimes after a disaster happens, Guyanese still don’t make a change.

Simply put, this will not be the last torture chamber wewillbehearingabout.

Referring to the type of political leaders we will have,onecommentatorputit this way, “You will have a technocracythatjustdoesn’t ask us our views anymore because they can’t get an answer out of us. And I alwayssay,thiswillnotbea takeover Other people will governusbydefaultbecause wedon’tcare.

Regards

NameProvided

‘RandolphPersaudexposesthePPP’...

Frompage4 drive to establish ethnic/politicaldominance.

Dr Persaudproceededto observe that ‘the comrades thatarebeingrepresentedas oppressed had power for 33 years, and when they didn’t, theyhadDr HenryJeffreyin office, at the highest level, forsixteenyears.Idoubtthat 200yearsafterslaveryAfroGuyanese in Georgetown would not see the utter absurdityofferedtothem.’

Dr Persaud speaks as if the PPPof 1992 is the same as the PPP of 2002 or 2023 and he simply does not understandtheproblem!The PPP came to government in 1992andafterCheddiJagan died and Janet Jagan was forced to resign, decided to establish an ethnic/political d i c t a t o r s h i p t h a t systematically seeks to furtivelydepriveAfricansof their rights. How should the PNC or Jeffrey have known thatthePPPwouldhavesunk tothisdepth?

Furthermore, if you know anything about the PPP and politics in Guyana,

youwillbeawarethatgiven i t s c o n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements that de facto couple of the leadership of the ruling party and the allpowerful presidency, political governance can become a ‘one man show’it at present is, any talk about Jeffrey having any real power is nonsense. I did, however, suspect that somethingwaswrongandin April2002,andwhilestillin government, I warned the PPP in a widely circulated document.

‘The establishment of a workable political system is critical to our development. Inmyview,powersharingis the less desirable alternative atthisstage.

However,if,asaresultof n e g l i g e n c e o r impracticability, normal politics is not urgently established power-sharing remainsanalternative.

To establish normal politics requires a paradigmatic shift in our politicalthinking. Itwillnot be easy to convince people seasoned in the extant

political culture of the necessity for change. There willbeatendencytowantto adoptsomebutnotallofthe abovemeasures. Thisisfine once we understand that success depends upon our willingness to create a truly competitive political environment’ (‘Establishing NormalPoliticsinGuyana’).

Dr Persaud, your curiosity about what Dr Jeffreydidduringhissixteen years in high office and his ‘entertainment’ by ‘Jagdeo’ is waiting in the public domain However, this hackneyed attempt to personalize this issue is of little value and is merely fluff intended to impress the simple-minded.

If I knew of the plans of thePPPanddidnothing,that might make me an opportunist, hypocrite and whatever, but in no way makes it less true or exculpates the PPP of attempting to establish political/ ethnic dominance inGuyana.

Regards Dr HenryJeffrey

We

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Wait until elections

What sort of slackness is this from the Opposition?

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This is not slackness, it is madness!

The world is talking about oil, and the Opposition is mum…

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Numb, mum, and dumb…

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Oil developments are happening by the day!

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Pace of Guyana exploration, production activities not

happening anywhere else in the world

- Exxon VP, Global Exploration Official

ExxonMobil'sVice President of

G l o b a l Exploration, John Ardill, r e c e n t l y e x p r e s s e d a d m i r a t i o n f o r t h e remarkable pace of exploration and production activities in Guyana, in an interview with S&P Global CommodityInsights.

He mentioned that ExxonMobil's three criteria for investment, namely attractive geology, stable political conditions, and c a r b o n f o o t p r i n t minimization, "all come

together"inGuyana.

Ardill explained that meticulous consideration goes into upstream investments, as they have long-lasting implications Hestated,"Aretheytheright molecules in the right place with the right carbon intensity and if those questions are all yes, then they'll find a path to development. Not, in many cases, very quickly If there are question marks around those... it's going to be a harderpath."

D i s c u s s i n g

ExxonMobil's expansion in Guyana,Ardillregardeditas a benchmark against which other basins, including those in Africa, are measured. He explained that the rapid revenue generation and the ability to minimize emissions from the production process make oil a vital resource, particularly inregionslikeGuyana.

Ardill gave insight into Exxon's operations in multiple jurisdictions, but the article appeared to indicate he had a particular enthusiasm when discussing the developments in Guyana. Since 2015, more

than 30 discoveries and an extremely generous deal have given Exxon the push to move quickly on the development of 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels. It has already received the goahead from the government to place five floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels offshore Guyana, to produce more than a million barrels of oil per day (bpd), and is likely to pursue as many as 10intotal.

Ardill praised the speed at which development in Guyana has progressed, stating, "That's incredibly fast, four and a half years from discovery to first oil is pretty much an industry record.

So that oil development, by any measurable standard, in a new country with no hydrocarbons industry, using floating production, storage, and offloading vessels, all of that is worldclasspaceandskill,andtobe running three rigs drilling pure development wells,

Stabroek Block

that's not happening anywhereelseintheworld."

The one thing that was not mentioned in the S&P piece is the enviable deal ExxonMobil is benefitting from.

The lopsided Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) has been facing protests and calls for itsrenegotiationforyears.

S&P said Exxon is currently producing 360,000-370,000 bpd in Guyana, and has six rigs operating.

The Payara project will start later this year, taking production to 600,000 bpd. Yellowtail will come on in 2025 and Uaru will achieve firstoilin2026.

The Whiptail project, still to be reviewed and approved, is being targeted for first oil in 2027. By then, current production is expectedtotriple.Exxonhas a45%workinginterestinthe Stabroek Block, as operator Hess Corporation has a 30% stake, and CNOOC Limited hasa25%stake.

Don’t do it, Ray!

Ray Daggers is a man for all seasons. Having just put his body through a punishing180-milewalkfor a better deal for Guyana from the oil companies, Daggers is now about to embark on a 12-hour daily fast outside of the Office of thePresident.

The last time that someone did something like this was 30 years ago when ShakaRodneyhelda13-day vigil and fast outside of the Attorney General’s Chambers to press for an inquiry into the death of his father, Dr Walter Rodney Two university of Guyana studentshadalsolauncheda similar protest outside of StateHousebutthatactivity endedincontroversy

Rodney’s vigil and fast ended in success when an obviously embarrassed Dr Cheddi Jagan ordered the establishment of a committeetoreviewthecase against Gregory Smith, the man fingered in his father’s death. Shaka’svigilandfast therefore did yield some result.

Daggers is no doubt hoping for some success. ButthepresentPPP/Cisnot the PPP/C of Cheddi Jagan and they would feel no remorse if this 65-year-old man collapses and dies like Bobby Sands, an Irish Republic Army prisoner, who died in 1981 when he wasonly27yearsago.

Sands went beyond a fast. He went on a hunger strike which is usually the last resort as a form of peaceful protest. Sands died after 66 days without food. Despite the international attention, his hunger strike attracted, the British

governmentdidnotbudgeto his demands to be considered as a political prisoner and for an end to British politics in Northern Ireland.

Guyana bourgeois leaders are not going to budgetoDaggers’demands. And at 65 years old, there is only so much his body can withstandevenifitisfor12 hours per day This is why I say,“Don’tdoitRay!Don’t doit!”

Fasting has long been used as a peaceful protest. By willingly depriving oneself of food (and, for some,water)foranumberof hours each day, individuals symbolically demonstrate their commitment to the causetheyarechampioning. Theydothistoappealtothe moral conscience of nation and to those in power The danger, of course, is that when it comes to those in power,youcanneverbesure abouttheirconscience.

Fasting and hunger strikes were employed by Mahatma Gandhi during India’s struggle for independence. Suffragettes in the West also utilized fastingasaformofprotestto demandwomen’srights.

It is not easy to go without food for a long period.Hungerweknowisa primalinstinctbutdepriving one-self of food can be transformative for both the individualandsociety

As a form of peaceful protest, it enjoys great legitimacy because it capturespublicattentionand demonstrates that the protestorispreparedtomake sacrifices for the causes for whichheorsheisstruggling.

Fasting shows that the protestor is willing to go

Dem boys seh...

beyond talk. It allows the protestor to highlight the gravity of his or her demands, but more important, it portrays the protestor as a selfless advocateforjustice.

This moral authority often forces people to take noticeandinsodoing,builds awareness and support for the protestor’s causes. In so doing, it challenges society toconfrontissuesandtruth.

ApublicVigilandFastas a form of peaceful protest, places pressure on the authorities to respond to the demandsofthoseprotesting. Elevenyearsago,Dr Wayne Kublalsingh led what was termedtheHighwayReroute Movement in Trinidad and Tobago.TheMovementwas protesting the construction of the extension of a highway through certain communities It proposed instead a rerouting of the highway

Dr Kublallsingh and others began by writing letters to the media, appearing on television, distributing pamphlets and keeping public meetings These were all intended to create greater public awareness about the issue whichwasbeingprotested.

This was later followed by protests outside of the Prime Minister’s Office in order to get a meeting with thePrimeMinister Thethen Prime Minister of Trinidad did meet with a group representing the Movement. Further meetings and discussions were held but these did not meet the demandsoftheMovement.

As such, Kublallsingh took the dramatic action of going on a hunger strike. When he was almost on

Ants does bite hot!

De legend, Patrick Lumumba, was in de house, virtually, on Saturday De man was impressive!

He tell de people dat dem must not become discouraged and feel helplessbecause,“Evenan antcanhurtanelephant.”

Dehgatsomeofdemin power feel dat de people are ants and Exxon is de elephant.

Dem frighten Exxon tramplepondemgrass.But when de people stand up, eventhoughdemisanant, dem can still disturb de elephant.

People now tekking a

stand. A man starting a protestoutsidedeOfficeof de President calling fuh accountability for de tragedy in Mahdia. And Ray Daggers gan hold a daily vigil outside de same office fighting fuh a better oildeal.Bothmenfighting fuhjustice.

Both men may be considered as ants. But when red ants bite yuh, it doesbunfuhlang. It mek dem boys remember de story of de manwhocouldnotholdhe bladder

He was driving and de had to go. So he stop in an isolated area, near a

death’s bed, he was met by some Ministers of the government. He agreed to end his protest after they decided to appoint a technical team to review the plansforthedisputedsection ofthehighwayextension.

It does sometime often take dramatic and drastic actiontogetgovernmentstobe responsive to the demands of protestors and this often only happens after an extended period Itisforthisreasonthat

Daggers’ protest is worrying becausehehastoconsiderthe health implications of an extendedvigilandfast

Given his age, an extended fast can lead to a rapid deterioration of his health to the point where he could die Knowing the PPP/Cgovernment,theyare stubborn enough to ignore Daggers’ demands until it becomes too late for him.

Don’t do it Ray, it is too dangerous!

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

lamppostandhetekouthe trophyforpasslilwater Hedidn’trealizedatis in an ant nest he stand up. De man start to do a dance dat was combination of breakdance and hip-hop. Deantshaddemanleaping and jumping, hopping and sliding. When he done, he wet up he pants and when he go back to de car, de passengers, in typical Guyanesefashion,bussout a laugh and accuse he of peeinguphetrousers.Dem ask he if he nah use pampers!

So nah underrate de ant. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

GHK LALL

Oil management: PPP , PNC, Exxon

Circumstances have forced my hand I am compelled to do a side-byside of the PPP Government and the PNC Opposition, regarding where both are, and what both represent in the days ahead, with this oil wealthofours.

Iwouldprefernothaving todothis,foritdoestheworst thing possible for Guyana and Guyanese: its lays bare before all what we have for oil sentinels, what we are left withforoilbastions. Iregret, I am ashamed, to say that we have nothing. Absolutely nothing! Weareexposedand

vulnerable. And we should be despondent of spirit when what is going on is considered frankly and deeplyandunsparingly By way of explanation, when I speak of the PPP Government, I speak of Dr Jagdeo Also, when I identifythePNCOpposition, I have in mind Mr Norton. What is going on with these groups?

Beyond a doubt, the PPP removes every obstacle and hurdletoclearthewayforthe freest passage for Exxon. Regulations diluted, people r e n d e r e d i m p o t e n t , institutions prostrated. Dr

Jagdeo does not even exhibit any qualms anymore at how far he has traveled on the Exxon superhighway; he makes no bones about now openly lobbying for, blatantly consorting with, an oil partner that is less a paramour and more of a prostitute.

What else and how else d o I d e s c r i b e t h e wretchedness that is inflicted upon the Guyanese people witheverynewdevelopment, be it in the oilfields, or as a result of the judiciary adjudicating, or from observing Guyana's Environmental Protection

Agency rendered non compos mentis? How else, but to take the gloves off and unsheathescabbard?

The PNC has been a series of disappearing acts, and hews to no line, other than one that is wavy, and makes me think of gravy I would like to be informed, I supposeallGuyanawould,as towherethePNCstandswith thisoil.

Whatdoesithave? What isthegroupgoingtobeabout in getting a grip on Exxon and getting more for Guyanese? Rather than give some substance, some string or some synopsis, what

Guyanese got from the PNC and its leader, Mr Norton, is some new type of smoke. It is smoke that is invisible and one which has no essence; there is nothing that could be wrapped around a finger, evenkeepabutterflyincheck forasecond.

Why is the PNC and Mr Norton so exemplary in presenting frail shadows, only what turns out to be about buying time and hangingtheGuyanesepeople outtodry?

I would like to attest that the PNC Opposition is radically different from the PPP Government in how it approaches the challenges of theoilsector I cannot. I prefer to assert on how it has commandeered the strategic corners, and taken the high ground, so that it can cutoff the rampages of both the Guyana Government and the American oil monstrosity Again, I will be damned if I do. What is it that the PNC has done to itself that it cannot be removed from, totally different (or at least conspicuously distinctive) from the PPP in how this oil wealth is dealt with, how the powers are worked with, or confronted?

Brutally frankly, the PNC has done nothing that helps to distance it from the machinations of the PPP when this oil is under the microscope.

I pause to examine what we have for political representation in the largest, g r e a t e s t i n d u s t r i a l , commercial, and financial bonanza to be part of this country

We have Exxon on the one side, and there is this

vacuum on the Guyana side. For their part, Dr Jagdeo and the PPP Government cannot do enough, quickly enough, and pleasingly enough to satisfy every corporate calculation and vision of Exxon. Dr Jagdeo has bent himself this way and that, until by himself he has become as tangled as to be u n a b l e t o b e indistinguishable from coils of mating snakes. Where the PPP has cleared the way for Exxon, the PNC has made itself unconvincingly nonexistent and gotten out of the way - by saying nothing, by doing nothing, and by standingfornothing.

Somebody needs to lay it allonthelineforGuyanaand the Guyanese people. I had given up a long time ago on the PPP I had some expectations of the PNC and Mr Norton. Disappointment has crept in again, the commondenominatorshared by the PPP and PNC extended and thickened and solidified.

These two political groups think that they can foolallGuyanese. Ihavegot news for them, others like them, and Mr Alistair Routledge of Exxon: all are as transparent, and translucently so, as if there is not a stitch of clothing on. The political, individual, and corporate scars all show, and theyarewarped.

They are ugly in how much they reveal, which is why so much has to be concealed. Something is going to have to give here, anditwillhavetobeinliquid form. Oh, it is not oil, and possessesadifferentcolour D i s c l a i m e r : T h e opinions expressed in this column are those of the author They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Kaieteur News.

Trade Unionist moves to CCJ over rape conviction, life sentence

Micah Williams, a convicted child rapist has now moved to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in an attempt overturn his conviction and sentence Williams lost his appeal of the two life sentences at the Court of Appeal last

December

The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction and sentencing of the former tradeunionistwhowasfound guiltyoftherapeandsodomy ofaneight-year-oldgirl.

Williams, through his attorney Nigel Hughes, had moved to the Appeal Court three years after his conviction, to challenge the convictionandseverityofhis sentence. The State was represented by Prosecutor DianaO'Brien.

The appeal was heard by

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn GregoryandRishiPersaud.

The Chancellor, who delivered the ruling, said that the trial judge did not err in law when she handed down thesentence.

Back in 2018, Williams was found guilty of two counts of sexual penetration of the child by a 12-member mixed jury following their deliberations.

The indictment is that between January 1 and January31,2016,heengaged in sexual penetration with an eight-year-old girl Then again on January 6, 2017, he e n g a g e d i n s e x u a l penetration with the same eight-year-oldgirl.

Williams is the founder and General-Secretary of the

the jurors after deliberating foralmosttwohoursreturned with unanimous guilty verdictsforbothcountsofthe offence.

For his actions, Justice Jo Ann Barlow had sentenced Williams to serve life sentences on both counts of rape. The two life sentences were to run concurrently and the convict only becomes eligible for parole after serving20yearsbehindbars.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that Williams who hails from Linden engaged in vaginal and anal sex with the young girl. The convicted rapist showed no remorse at all after being found guilty by his peers. In fact, he maintained his innocence.

Hetoldthecourt,“Thisis the most terrifying day of my life. I know to my heart that I

did not commit such an act.”

H e e x p r e s s e d h i s dissatisfaction with the decisionofthejurors.

J u s t i c e B a r l o w , nonetheless, told Williams that there is no justification forhisactions.

The judge reminded him that in his capacityas aTrade Unionist, he advocated for the rights of people but violated the trust of the little girl.

“I don't find I could be lenient with you. You cannot claim ignorance of sexual abuse and its consequences,” thetrialjudgesaid.

Reminding Williams that hetestifiedtoparticipatingin campaigns against sexual abuse, Justice Barlow stressed that the emotional scarsofsuchactswillhavean effect on the young rape survivor

Police outpost, improved drainage among interventions for Malgre Tout/Meer- Zorgen NDC

over50roadstobebuiltinParfaiteHarmonie

interventions following a community meeting led by President Dr Mohamed

IrfaanAlionSaturday

Concerns relating to healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and drainage, among others, were expressedandweremetwith on-the-spot and long-term solutions.

ThePresidentcommitted to providing the community with a police outpost to curb crime and to examine the squatting area for possible constructionoffootpaths.

“We will follow up on all these issues, and by Friday, you should have a police outpostinthearea,”hesaid.

Further, Second Street Goed Fortuin is slated for full reconstruction and a mobile pump will be installed at the community's sluicetoimprovedrainage.

Additionally, the Headof-State disclosed that some $1 3 billion has been awarded for road works in Parfaite Harmonie, which will see over 50 roads being built.

M o r e o v e r , a s government plans to improve the country's overall drainage system, PresidentAlidisclosedplans to create a new outfall on the West Bank of Demerara to enhancedrainageinthearea. This will promote the continuous flow of water out

o f f l o o d - a f f e c t e d communities.

The President said, “To add to this, we will have to develop, redesign, in many cases, and rehabilitate internal drainage systems. As we get more revenue comingin,wearechanging a lot of these drainage systems to concrete drainage so we don't have the siltation, and so that drainageisimproved.”

PresidentAli highlighted that Region Three is slated f o r t r e m e n d o u s development, highlighting the massive impact that will be had on the region's economicdevelopmentupon completion of several largescale projects, such as the Schoonord to Crane highway and the gas-toenergyproject.

The President stated that

government is focusing on community development, which,headded,requiresthe engagement of residents and regionalleaders.

“One of the things we pride ourselves on as a government is our ability to connect with people, listen to people, analyse their concerns, and then actonthem.

W e d o n ' t w a n t communitiestomissouton these opportunities. We want communities to also develop,”henoted.

Aspartofthisagendafor community development, President Ali also noted that next year will see the implementationofanational plan to place streetlights in all community streets across the country to improve security (DPI)

Guyana Natural Resources, Clerical and General

W o r k e r s U n i o n (GNRC&GWU). Back then,

Micah Williams

Zorgen NDC, Region Three

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Alleged arsonist in Mahdia dorm fire to face 19 murder charges

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

ShalimarAli-Hack, SC has recommended 19 murder charges for the teen who allegedly started the fire at Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory

Around 23:00 hours on Sunday May21,2023,thefireeruptedatthe dormitory, the Guyana Fire Service reported that the point of origin of the fire was in the south-western interior of the building, in the lavatory area. That fire claimed the lives of 18 girls and a 5-year-old boy The names of the children whodiedonSundayare:

1. Adonijah Jerome

2. Tracil Thomas

3. Lisa Roberts

4. Delecia Edwards

5. LoritaWilliams

6. Natalie Bellarmine

7. Arriana Edwards

8. Cleoma Simon

9. Subrina John

10. Martha D'Andrade

11. ( a n d t w i n ) M a r y

D'Andrade

12. Belnisa Evans

13. Loreen Evans

14. Omerfia Edwin

15. Nickleen Robinson

16. Sherena Daniels

17. Eulanda Carter

18.Andrea Roberts

19.Rita Jeffrey

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) alleged that Sunday night's fire was reportedly maliciously set by a female student, who was aggrieved over her phone being confiscated by the dorm mother, Carletta Williams and a teacher

LastWednesday,thefilewassentto

Kaieteur News was reliably i n f o r m e d t h a t t h e D P P recommended murder charges for theteensuspect,whoisexpectedto be placed before the court sometimeduringtheweek.

At the time of the fire, there were 57 female students in the dormitory which is a one-flat concrete building measuring about 100 feet by 40 feet, with 26 heavily grilled windows and five doors that werepadlocked.

The Fire Service reported that around 22:15 hours, a civilian ran into the Mahdia Fire Station and alerted the ranks of a building on fire at the secondary school. It was stated that an all-terrain vehicle #1

and crew under the command of Sub-Officer Scott immediately responded to the 111 Miles Potaro RoadMahdia,Region8location.

According to the GFS, when firefighters arrived on the scene, it was observed that the one-flat wooden and concrete building was engulfedinflames.

A female student related to the police that they were asleep and were awakened by screams. Upon checking, they saw fire/smoke in the bathroom area, which quickly spread in the building, causing several students to receive burns to their bodies and smoke inhalation, whilst several managed to escape. This publication had reported that the fire fighters and public-spirited

personshadtobreakthewallsofthe dorm to free the girls that were trappedintheinferno.

Theinjuredstudentsweretaken to the Mahdia District Hospital and were examined and admitted by doctors. At the hospital, five of the female students were pronounced dead.Asearchwascarriedoutinthe building, which was completely destroyed by the fire, and the burnt remains of 14 human beings were found.

The Government of Guyana (GOG) on Friday obtained the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) results matching the names of 13 bodies from the Mahdia fire tragedy that were previously not visuallyidentified.TheGOGisina

positionnowtoreleasethesebodies to the families of the deceased for funeralarrangements.SabrinaJohn wasthefirsttobelaidtorest.

On Saturday, two of the girls whowereattheGeorgetownPublic Hospital reportedly in a critical condition were flown to New York toseekfurthermedicalattention.

Kaieteur News had reported that 5-year-oldAdonijah, who died in the fire, was the son of the dorm mother Mayor of Mahdia, Mr David Adams had explained that Williams has her own apartment that is attached to the female dormitory building. “I understand whenshewasalertedtothefire;she rushedoutofherapartmentandran to save them, leaving her son behind. It was during the chaos that her son ended up perishing in the fire,”Mr Adamssaid.

MayorAdamsalsosaid,“Itwas compounded by the fact that we only have one fire tender in the township and what made it also difficult is the fact that they had no fire hydrant in the area where the fire took place. So, the fire fighters had to shuttle water from the creek to the school, where the fire was. They really tried their best, given the circumstances and what they hadtoworkwith.”

The Mayor told this publication that the students did not have any training on fire prevention measures. He also confirmed that the dormitory was not equipped with any fire extinguisher at the timeofthefire.“Goingforward,we have to look at the systems that are in place for dormitory and schools, and ensuring that the necessary precautionsaretaken,”headded.

theDPPforlegaladvice.

An aerial view of the dormitory which was completely burned down in Mahdia on Sunday.

“Baderation” Concert well-behaved

This year the Hits a n d J a m s o r g a n i z e d “Baderation”concertwasone without incident, where hundreds of patrons packed the tarmac of the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara and “vibed” to dancehall music until 03:00hrsonSundaymorning.

T h e c o n c e r t w a s headlined by Jamaican dancehall artiste, Alkaline and featured other top artists, Jada Kingdom and Bryon Messiah along with our very ownMatticQueen.

L a s t y e a r , t h e

“Baderation” conc viralforallthewrong

It was held at the Park and headlined another popular artiste. The show being marred with robbery and violence. year-later however, changed, security was

Guyanese Dancehall, Mattic Queen

Bryon Messiah stealing the show on Sunday

Jada Kindom enticing the crowd

Jamaican Dancehall artiste, Alkaline

Scenes from the concert

Cl ose to 250 participants of all ages and fitness levels gathered to celebrate the spirit of motherhood, and promote a healthy, active lifestyle as part of

S T R I D E 5 9 2 ' s f i r s t

MilesforMoms Walk Run Move 5K held on Saturday, May 13, at the National Park inGeorgetown,Guyana.

“I am grateful for everyone who came out to make MilesforMoms a success. It was beautiful to look out and see so many of my Guyanese sisters and brothers and friends having a greattime.Fromthemanywe made memories that will last alifetime,”saidOnikaJervis, founderofSTRIDE592.

MilesforMomskickedoff with a Soca warm up by Guyanese artiste and fitness enthusiast,Vanilla.

Participants then set off on an electronically timed route through the National Park, up Carifesta Ave, and looped down the scenic seawall, back into the National Park where every finisher was greeted with a cold water coconut and a finishers'medal.

Following the 5K, participants enjoyed healthy foods from porridge to provisions to salads, to refuel before gathering for the intergenerational school games. Games played were sack races, limbo, egg and

Over 200 joined inaugural MilesforMoms Walk, Run, Move 5K

poon, three-legged race and more.

Buxton Visions drummers led in singing folk songs and local vendors participated as well. Radio host at Hits and Jams94.1FM,RenataBailey was the event's emcee. Each participant was gifted a goodie bag of fresh vegetables!

The many high-fives and hugs shared during the event were a sure indication of the community connectedness andsupportofeachother Guyanese designer and frnchise holder of the Miss Guyana Culture Queen Pageant, Randy Madray was in attendance with the delegates of the 2023 pageant Madray said, "I think this was a great initiative. It brought together people of all walks of life. I believe the way in which it was done was welcoming to everyone.

I can really see this growing bigger and better, and with hope that the collaboration between STRIDE592 and Miss Guyana Culture Queen continuesannually.”

“I am a Peace Corps volunteer living in Georgetown who is so grateful I discovered at the last minute a wonderful, healthy way to start my day It was the best Mother's Day gift I could give myself. I look forward to the next

event!” said Kim Corrado Cernek.

It was stated that the success of MilesforMoms wouldnothavebeenpossible without the generous support of sponsors and dedicated v o l u n t e e r s P a r t n e r supporters are Healthcare International, Mobile Money Guyana [MMG], Living Tu r k o i s e , S u p r e m e Laundromat,GlobalLogistic Services and Signature Moves Marketing Agency NGO's include The Guyana FoundationandFriendsWho Care. Supporting sponsors are Hit and Jams 94.1 FM, Pollo Tropical, Cevons Waste Management, Star Party Rentals, CPR- Cell Phone Repair, Ministry of Housing and Water, Banks DIH and Massy Team sponsors are Korje Tax Professionals Inc , Dirk Foundation, The Downer, F a m i l y W e l l n e s s International Inc , The Renaissance Group, The Virginia GuyanaAssociation andTheMitchellGarveyInc.

T h e f o l l o w i n g Influencers were in attendance: Guyana Culture Queen Pageant Finalists, Mathew Gaul of Common Cents, Prince Copping Fit, Prowell Fitness, Renata Bailey, Gabriella Chapman, Sophie Dolphin and Tianna Springer, record-breaking 400-meter athlete at the South America U20 Championships.

Building on popular culture of “School Sports'', STRIDE592 is a Guyanese homecoming celebration of healthy living, joy, family a n d c o m m u n i t y togetherness. Founded and registered in 2022 with local businesses and community support, STRIDE592 produces year-round fun walking and running events to enhance the exposure of the community to the health, social and economic benefits of embracing a lifestyle MOVING.

STRIDE592 events put FUN in motion, are vibrant, community-health focused, and all about showing you a great time while exploring the scenic outdoors of Guyana.Thebusiness'goalis to give everyone whether a seasoned athlete, first-time participantortouristalikethe chance to win their race by providing them with an amazing experience from the time they register until the moment they reach the finish line and celebration after party STRIDE592 vowed to

h a v e i t s e v e n t s professionally staffed with race production, medical and securityteams. Moreover, the business collaborates with local and national businesses, community organizations, schools, and governmental offices to have diverse participants and community support Contact at move@stride592 com to explore ways that we can worktogether

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Turkey’s Erdogan claims victory in presidential election run-off

The incumbent went into the tense second round of voting with strong momentum to win a third presidential term.

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(Al Jazeera) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won re-election, according to unofficial data from the state-run Anadolu Agency, in a tense run-off after he failed to secure more than 50 percent of votes required for an outright victory in the first round on May 14.

With 97 percent of ballot boxes opened, Erdogan reportedly received 52.1 percent of votes in the second round on Sunday, beating his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who won 47.9 percent.

The official Supreme Election Council has yet to confirm the results.

The vote seals Erdogan’s place in history as he extends his 20-year rule for a further five years.

He had already outstripped the 15-year presidency of the Republic of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

As Erdogan’s victory seemed complete, crowds headed to the presidential palace in Ankara to wait for his celebratory speech.

Prior to that, Erdogan appeared outside his residence in Istanbul’s Uskudar, where he sang before thanking an

adoring crowd.

“We have completed the second round of the presidential elections with the favour of our people,” Erdogan said. “God willing we will be worthy of your trust as we have been for the last 21 years.”

He added that all 85 million citizens of the country were the “victors” of the two rounds of voting on May 14 and May 28.

The president also said that the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will hold candidate Kilicdaroglu accountable for his bad performance, adding that the number of the CHP seats in the parliament de-

creased compared to the 2017 polls.

In his first comments after it became clear that Erdogan would continue as president, Kilicdaroglu said that he would continue what he termed a “struggle for democracy”.

“All the means of the state were mobilised for one political party and laid at the feet of one man,” the CHP leader said. “I would like to thank the heads of the Nation Alliance, their organisations, our voters, and the citizens who protected the ballot boxes and fought against these immoral and unlawful pressures.”

Close campaign The twomonth election period wit-

nessed one of the most bitter campaigns in recent memory. Erdogan repeatedly referred to his opponent as being backed by “terrorists” –due to the support offered by the main pro-Kurdish party –while Kilicdaroglu ended the campaign by calling Erdogan a “coward”.

The campaign took on an increasingly nationalist tone, with the opposition in particular promising to force Syrians and other refugee populations to leave.

Sunday’s run-off vote was the first time since direct presidential elections were introduced in 2014 that the vote had gone to a second stage.

We urge the ExxonMobil shareholders...

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From page 06 is advising shareholders to vote against resolution #14, see the document here https:/investor.exxonmobil.comcompany-information-annual-reports-proxy. Resolution #14 is a request for ExxonMobil to disclose the risk and its ability to cover liabilities from potential environmental related litigation.

The shareholder who crafted the resolution, Anna Lyles PhD, has performed extensive research to support her resolution #14, see a copy of the resolution here https:// investor.exxonmobil.com/secfilings/all-sec-filings/content/ 0001214659-23-006093/ 0001214659-23-006093.pdf.

Liza 1 Environmental Impact Assessment, of 120,000 barrels of oil per day. ExxonMobil is currently operating Liza 1 at 155,000 barrels per day.

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The resolution makes reference to 20 items. A number of references cited Guyanese press articles such as civil society success in reducing the Liza 1 and Liza 2 environmental permits from the EPAinflated 20 years to 5 years as per Guyanese court order. The maximum allowed is 5 years as per regulation 19 of the 1996 EPA Act. Additionally, Dr. Lyles cited the fact that Liza 1 was pumping oil well above its maximum “safe operating limit”, as per the

Additionally, in August 2020, as detailed here https:// www.stabroeknews.com/ 2020/08/20/news/guyana/ epa-to-file-historic-lawsuitagainst-exxon-over-fines/, the Guyana EPA was forced to take legal action against ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, EEPGL, after it refused to pay a US$500 fine for violating its own safety procedures and the equipment manufacturer’s instructions to inspect oil hoses before use. This occurred six times within a 12-month period despite warnings.

Besides just being a precursor for bigger incidents, it paints a clear picture of EEPGL’s substandard safety culture.

Further, despite being directed by the Guyana EPA to reinject the very hot, oily, toxic and radioactively contaminated produced water back into the oil reservoir of its origin, as required by international standards and recommended by the World Bank Group EHS Guidelines for Off-

shore Oil & Gas Development 2015 and as enshrined in the Payara permit, the permit for the third oil project, (see clauses 4.7 and 4.17 in https:// www.oggn.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Payara-EPA-Issues-Environmental-Permit-forthe-Payara-Project.pdf), this requirement was removed in the subsequent permits issued by the EPA to EEPGL.

The waiving of this express requirement allows EEPGL to dump billions of barrels of this polluted produced water into our pristine Caribbean waters. Mixed into the produced water are hundreds of thousands of barrels of pure oil, toxic and radioactive substances.

On Wednesday May 31st, shareholders will vote on resolution #14. We support the ExxonMobil shareholders to vote in favour of resolution #14.

Yours faithfully,

Alfred Bhulai Andre Brandli

Janette Bulkan Darshanand Khusial

Charles

Joe

Sugrim

Persaud

Mike

On

Persaud

behalf of OGGN

Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan celebrate as the president declared victory in the country’s presidential elections [Dilara Senkaya/Reuters]

Accomplice of ‘Smallie’ shot dead by police ...reportedlydisarmedcop,crankedgun

Oneofthegunmen who reportedly helped in the escape of convicted massmurderer, Royden Williams aka 'Smallie' from the heavily guarded Mazaruni Prison,waskilledinashootout with joint-services ranks onSunday Theshotgunman was identified as Neon Howard also known as 'Taxi', a 33-year-old male of Friendship, East Coast Demerara.

In a press statement released to the media on Sunday afternoon, the Force said that the suspect was killed at St. Mary's Logging area,locatednottoofarfrom Bartica, Region Seven. The release mentioned that Howard was 'wanted' for aiding in the escape of 'Smallie'.

“Intelligence led to a confrontationwithoneofthe accomplices, who was fatally shot”, the Force stated.

It continued that the East Coast Demerara man was shot dead after he reportedly snatched a firearm from one

Dead, Neon Howard

of the arresting ranks and attemptedtoescape.

As it relates to the escapee and the rest of the gunmen involved, the Force said, “The search for the convicted killer and his accomplicesintensifies”.

According to reports, at

least three gunmen assisted in the daring escape of 'Smallie'onFridayMay19.

'Smallie' reportedly made his escape while being returned to his cell after a visitwithawoman.

The prison guards were escorting Williams back to

his holding cell on an ATV (four-wheel bike) when they came under fire from gunmen in a speed boat, armed with high powered weapons.

“The ranks dismounted the ATV and returned fire at theassailants.

At that point, one of the boat occupants came onto the land and continued to discharge several rounds towards the prison officers,” GPSstated.

While the exchange of gunfire was ongoing,

Williams still in his foot chains managed to run towards the riverbank and jumpedoverboard.

The gunmen then helped him into the boat and sped offinawesterlydirection.

A$10Mrewardhassince been offered for the recapture of the Williams who received two death sentences for Bartica Massacre in 2008 and the murderofasoldier

Police have since remanded six individuals for allegedly conspiring to help

Williams escape Among t h e m i s a P a r i k a businessman, the woman that visited him the day he escaped - who is a Venezuelan National - and the four prison officers, Alexander Hopkinson, OmarWitherspoon,Oldfield Romulus and Conroy Hossanah.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the four prisonofficersarebeingheld on remand at the Timehri Prison, on the East Bank of Demerara(EBD).

A blurred photo of the killed gunman.

Man Utd claim comeback win over Fulham to end season in third

MANCHESTER, (Reuters) - Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes got on the scoresheet as Manchester United came from behind to claim a 2-1 home win over Fulham yesterday and end their Premier League campaign on a high.

The result made no change to the Premier League table as United finished the season in third place, while Fulham ended in 10th for their first top-half finish since 2012.

Fulham took the lead in the 19th minute when Kenny Tete timed his run to perfection to angle in a near-post header from a Willian corner. The visitors could have gone

two up in the 26th minute when Casemiro bundled over Tom Cairney in the box, but Aleksandar Mitrovic’s spot kick was saved by David de Gea. It was the Serbian striker’s fourth miss from the spot this season.

United took the initiative after the massive let-off, with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho shooting wide before the hosts were rewarded for their perseverance when Sancho equalised with a simple close-range shot to send the teams into the break level.

United kept up the pressure after the break, with Fred’s defence-splitting pass

Monday May 29, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Sometimes, it's amazing to see how your relationships can spin so easily out of control, Aries. Today you may have to deal with a lot of tension within your group. You'll almost feel as if no one understands the situation.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You sometimes have difficulty making up your mind. You don't always know exactly what you want. Today, Taurus, you'll be at peace with yourself.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Sometimes we all feel a little lost, Gemini. We often want to move mountains and use all our energy and enthusiasm to try to do so.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You have a natural ability to accomplish a great deal rather easily, Cancer. But today you may feel snowed under with projects. Things around you might be moving quickly.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Your day has finally come, Leo. You have your own vision of life and you like sharing it with others. You're far from thinking that you're any sort of new messiah.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Today you'll have the strange feeling that something is floating in the air. The time is right to try to understand the different needs of your family circle.

setting up Fernandes to score a 55th-minute winner with a delicate chip.

Cairney came within inches of levelling the game in the 76th minute after he blazed an attempt over the cross bar, before an unmarked Wout Weghorst missed a giltedged opportunity to end his loan spell in Manchester with a goal.

United will now shift their attention to next week’s FA Cup final, in which they will face rivals Manchester City.

Erik ten Hag’s side will be looking to win a second trophy of the season, adding to their League Cup success in February. “There is still one

game to go so, and I am sure, that these players will give everything to beat Manchester City next week. So we need it from you as well,” Erik ten Hag told fans at Old Trafford.

“Thank you for everything. I am sure we have a really good chance to take the cup back to Old Trafford.”

Fulham manager Marco Silva said his side did not deserve to lose the game, which

hinged on the penalty save.

“The game changed completely from that moment,” Silva told the BBC.

“We should have reacted

in a different way. It was a moment for us to show maturity and handle the game in a different way but we haven’t done that.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

As the dawn of another quiet and peaceful day appears, Libra, you will be in the best disposition to observe and appreciate the lightness of things. Life can seem so beautiful on some days.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You will find a clean page on the agenda today, Scorpio. You should try to think only about yourself. This will allow you to meditate about your life and be at peace with yourself.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You will wake up today on cloud nine, Sagittarius. Your morale is at a peak. You will feel totally free and be able to clearly perceive the essentials of life.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The

The astral energy will have you reminiscing all day long over childhood memories, Capricorn. These memories will take you to the houses and places where you were raised.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You love interacting with people others might consider eccentric. You can't help it. You're simply attracted to them. You will probably encounter one of these people today, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You have always tried to build up your health using traditional methods, and you take great care of yourself.

From page 21 journalist Iva Wharton - was approved.

In his address, GFF President Forde stressed on the importance of putting football and the players first as the federation focuses on ensuring good governance, accountability and capacity building at all levels.

“As always, it was my pleasure spending time with the football family, doing the important work we have all been called to do.

Today’s Congress was yet another example of the high standard of good governance that guides the affairs of the GFF and its members. We are a unified fraternity dedicated to the growth and well being of our players and stakeholders,” Forde said.

Speaking after the Congress Bartica Association President Alden Marslow said capacity building is “of huge importance to us. We have been discussing it at our administrative level and we’re looking forward to all of these programmes that GFF has in mind.”

President of the Women’s Football Association Andrea Johnson added that she was pleased to see the focus has remained on the development of the women’s game in Guyana.

“I was happy to hear of the plans for the leagues, especially for Guyana’s female footballers,” Johnson noted.

Fulham’s Kenny Tete scores their first goal. (REUTERS/Phil Noble)

GFF members approve 2023...

Verstappen wins in Monaco as Perez draws a blank

MONACO, (Reuters)Double world champion Max Verstappen won a soggy and slippery Monaco Grand Prix from pole position yesterday to stretch his Formula One lead to 39 points and earn Red Bull a sixth win in as many races thisseason.

In a race livened up by a d o w n p o u r a f t e r a processional 51 laps in dry conditions, Spaniard Fernando Alonso finished second forAston Martin but a massive 27 9 seconds behindatthechequeredflag.

Frenchman Esteban Oconcompletedthepodium in third place for RenaultownedAlpine, their first top threefinishoftheseason.

Mercedes’ seven-times world champion Lewis

Hamilton was fourth and collected a bonus point for fastestlap.

Last year’s winner Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s closest rival and team mate, wastwicelappedonhisway to 16th place after starting last.TheMexicanalsomade five pitstops on a nightmare afternoon.

“That was a real Monaco,” Verstappen said aftera78-lapracethatlasted anhourand48minutesona tricky street circuit where

overtaking is a rare

occurrence “It was incrediblyslipperyandwhen you are that far in the lead you don’t want to push too hardbutalsoyoudon’twant to lose too much time so it’s quite difficult in that scenario.

“I clipped the wall a few times and it was super difficultoutthere.Butthat’s Monaco.”

T h e w i n w a s Verstappen’s fourth of the season, second in Monaco and39thofhiscareer Italso made him the driver to have wonmostracesforRedBull, one more than retired four times champion Sebastian Vettel. Verstappen now has 144pointstoPerez’s105and Alonso’s 93. Red Bull have 249 points in the constructors’ standings with Aston Martin on 120 and Mercedes 119 HOME HERO Mercedes’ George Russell was fifth and home hero Charles Leclerc finished sixth for Ferrari after a three place grid drop forimpedinginqualifying.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, McLaren’sLandoNorrisand team mate Oscar Piastri completed the points positions Verstappen led away cleanly from the start on the medium tyres, with Alonso opting for hards and slottinginclosebehind.

If the podium ended up being the same top three as on the starting grid, the late rain brought excitement as drivers slid around a track wetinsomeplacesbutdryin others Some, such as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, got too close to the barriers before pitting for intermediatesorfullwets.

Verstappen also slid scarily at Portier as he delayed his pitstop to lap 56 to coincide with the rain, whileAlonso initially pitted

formediumsandthenhadto come in again for intermediates. “We thought toplayalonggamewiththe strategybutMaxdrovesuper wellonthemediumtyresand extended that first stint. We didn’t have any chance and then at the end the rain put things a bit complicated out there,” said Alonso. “It was not easy and I was surprised there were no safety cars from incidents, I think everyone was doing an amazing job today to keep thecarsontrack.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Verstappen wouldhavebeenundermore pressure had Alonso picked the intermediate tyres straight away WhileAlonso celebrated his fifth podium oftheseason,andbestresult yet for Aston Martin,

Canadian team mate Lance Stroll retired after repeated tangleswithrivals.

Theonlyotherdrivernot running at the finish was Haas’s Kevin Magnussen, who hit the barriers at Rascasse and retired in the pits. His team mate Nico Hulkenberg was 17th in the team’s 150th race and collected a five-second penalty for causing a collision with Williams’ LoganSargeant.

Perezpittedattheendof lap one intending to go the distanceonhardsbuthisrace soon fell apart He was lapped by Verstappen long before half way and had collisions with Magnussen, StrollandRussell.“Ihaveto move on and learn from it. I cannotaffordanotherzeroin thechampionship,”hesaid

Buzzer-beatingBostonforceMiamitogameseven

AFP - With a dramatic buzzer-beater from Derrick White, the Boston Celtics forced their NBA Eastern Conference Finals series with the Miami Heat to a winner-take-all game seven in a heart-stopping 104-103 win in South Florida on Saturday

The Celtics became just the fourth team in NBA history to level a best-ofseven playoff series after trailing3-0.

They will now have a chance today to mark an even more impressive milestoneiftheycanbecome the first team to win a series afterlosingtheopeningthree gamesandearnaplaceinthe final against the Denver Nuggets.

Itwasacrushinglossfor Miami,whowerelessthana

second away from reaching their seventh NBA Final before White’s inspired touch.

The Celtics had led for most of the contest but Miami looked to have grabbed the win and the series when Jimmy Butler was fouled, attempting a three-pointshot,byBoston’s AlHorford.

With three seconds left ontheclock,Butler,whohad beenwellbelow-paruntilhe came alive late in the fourth quarter,kepthiscooltosink allthreefreethrowsandgive theHeata103-102lead.

Facing elimination, Marcus Smart’s three-point attemptbouncedofftherim, but White was alert and strongtotipthereboundinto the bucket, the shot leaving hisfingertipsonlyafraction

of a second before the buzzer The Miami crowd were distraught as the Celtics celebrated in a huddleonthecourt.

“Ballcametome,Imade theshot.That’swhatIsaw,” saidWhite,reflectingonthe game-winningmoment.

“It felt good. Everybody was asking me, ‘did you get itoff?’AndIwaslike,‘yeah, I think so,’ but it was so close, you never know,” he said. “I’m happy we won. Whatever it takes. We got our backs against the wall. Justhappywewon.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra rued his team’s luck on the decisive final play

“Thatthingjustbounced a different way That’s the only place it could have bouncedtohurtus.Ithought

we had a lot of things covered on that play and sometimes things just don’t breakyourway,”hesaid.

JaysonTatumledBoston

with 31 points and had 11 rebounds and five assists, whileJaylenBrowncameup with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Butler went into the fourth quarter with just nine points but ended with 24, while

CalebMartinprovided 21pointsforMiami.

Derrick White and Jaylen Brown celebrate after ofthe Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat 104-103 in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Monaco Grand Prix. (REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during the race. (REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)

Rain forces IPL final into reserve day

AFP - Heavy rain and t h u n d e r s t o r m s i n

Ahmedabad yesterday forced the Indian Premier League final between holders Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings into a reservedayforthefirsttime.

Rain began 35 minutes beforethe toss and went on for over two hours and 40 minutes before it stopped and raised hopes for the game to begin at the world’s biggest cricket stadium.

But a second downpour washedouttheday,leaving thousands of fans, who had taken shelter in the covered areas of the 132,000-seater stadium, disappointed

The ground was a sorry soggy sight when officials called off play for the day and a message on the giant screen, for the fans, read “pleasekeepyourphysical

ticketssafe!”

The action will begin today with an IPL final

headingforareservedayfor the first time in its 16-yearlonghistory

GFF members approve 2023 amended budget at Ordinary Congress

Consolidated Financial

Statements for 2022 and the 2023AmendedBudgetwere Saturday approved by regional associations, clubs and affiliate associations during the federation’s Ordinary Congress at the National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

GFF President Wayne

Forde opened the May 27 Congress with a minute of silence for the 19 students who died in the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory Fire and Vice President of the EssequiboPomeroon Football Association and Albert Tucker who passed away on May24.

The overall focus was to candidly discuss the state of football in Guyana with an aim to take the sport to the next level across the ten administrativeregions.

General Secretary Ian Alvesintroducedtheagenda for voting and discussions.

Congress accepted The President’s Report which contains the federation’s achievements between August and May, including

the launch of the current KFC Elite League, national Under-13 and Under-17 youth competitions, the much anticipated historic matchbetweenEthiopiaand Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Team and the start of phase one of the multimillion Durban Park Complex and installation of the FIFA-standard floodlights at the NTC ground.

Additionally, members

ratified the Independent Auditor’sReportonthe2022 Statements of Accounts which was presented by Chris Ram, Managing Partner of Ram and McRae Chartered Accountancy firm, and the new threem e m b e r E l e c t o r a l Committee - Marcel Bobb, Partner of Innovative Legal and Business Solutions Inc, Attorney-at-Law Shercola Exeter-Sardinaand (Continuedonpage19)

The IPL final will be held on a reserve day for the first time in the tournament’s history

be Chennai skipper M. S. Dhoni’s last as a player and fans turned up in numbers wearingtheyellowjerseyof thesuperstarcricketer.

Chennai will be aiming for a record-equalling fifth title to go level with IPL powerhouse Mumbai Indians, led by all-format IndiacaptainRohitSharma.

Dhonihasledhisteamto their10thIPLfinalincluding four trophies and five runners-upfinishes.

Gujarat, captained by Hardik Pandya, have extended their fairytale journeywhichbeganwitha title win in their debut seasonlastyearatthesame venue

The weather department ofthewesterncitypredictsa slim (10 percent) chance for

evening rains on Monday as well.

The match is believed to

The T20 competition, which began in 2008, has grown into the world’s richest cricket tournament and a huge revenue earner fortheBoardofControlfor CricketinIndia(BCCI)

RHJ claims Best Gym as Britton walks away with Best Boxer at Mike Parris boxing event

The Mike Parris Under-16 programme continuedyesterdayattheSixHeadGymin Albouystown, Georgetown The event featured a total of nine bouts, each packed withexcitement,thecardkickedoffwithan impressive victory by Roopesh Balgobin, setting the tone for an afternoon of intense competition The event provides an excellent platform for these promising young athletes to showcase their skills and passionforthesport.

The talented young boxers from Vergenoegen Boxing (VBG), Rose Hall JammersBoxingGym(RHJ),andSixHead BoxingGym(SHBG)showcasedtheirskills in the ring. Early on, Alexandro Young defeated Nickel Ramsoroop in a gripping match Keon Britton, who had an outstanding performance throughout the event, secured a win against Jaden Lewis, withtherefereehavingtointerveneandstop the fight in the second round. Britton emergedvictorious,claimingthevictoryby wayoftheRefereeStoppingtheContestdue toInjury(RSCI).

In another closely contested match between gym-mates, Travis Sancho triumphedoverJadenKing.

The intensity continued to rise as

Matthew Thomas faced off against Jerome Taylor,emergingvictoriousattheendofthe contest. Harlington Johnson from RHJ displayed exceptional skill and determination, overpowering Joel Hinds from VBG. Shemroy Wintz showed great tenacity,defeatingRahiemPetersfromRHJ inahard-foughtbattle,whileJofestJackson proved his mettle as he conquered Omali WoodroffefromtheSixHeadGym.

Meanwhile, the outstanding performances of the boxers and officials were recognized at the conclusion of the event, with Rose Hall Jammers Boxing Gym clinching the prestigious Best Gym award. Vergenoegen Boxing Gym claimed the runner-up spot. Keon Britton, who showcased remarkable skills and determination, was rightfully named the BestBoxeroftheevent.LawrenceAssanah was honoured with the Best Referee/Judge award,andGregoryCortreceivedthewelldeservedBestCoachaward,acknowledging his invaluable guidance and support to the youngboxers.

The Mike Parris Under-16 programme continues to nurture talents and promote boxing at the grassroots level, ensuring the futureofthesportremainsbright.

GFF President Wayne Forde

ExxonMobilBoys&GirlsU14Championships… Groupstagebattlesconclude

The second and third playing datesofthePetraorganised ExxonMobilsponsored Boys and Girls Under-14 Schools Football Championships unfolded over the weekend at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

A whopping 52 matches were billed to culminate the Group stage for both Divisions over the two days and they were masterfully executed Unfortunately, there were a few walkovers buttheyboostedthechances of progression for the teams present.

Yesterday, the final roundoftheGroupstagewas

contested which means 16 teams from the Boys’ Divisionwillmoveontothe Round-of-16while16teams will find the exit while the Girls enter the quarterfinal stage.

The two top teams from the eight Boys’Groups will progress while only the top teams from the five Girls’ Groups along with the best three second-place finishers progress.

Day two – Girls’ Division…

On Saturday, the second playing date of the Championships, there was a wealthofgoalsbeingscored in the 26 contested matches, on a day that featured excellent weather for

football.

In the Girls’ Division which had ten games on the card, Waramuri Top and Bartica were the most outstanding winners of the lot as they defeated St Stanislaus College and Mackenzie High, 8 – 0 and 10–0,respectively

There were eight other victorious Girls teams on Saturday as East Ruimveldt wonviawalkoverfromDora (3 – 0), Vergenoegen sank New Campbellville 5 – 1, CummingsLodgecruisedto a 5 – 2 victory over Christ Church, President’s College humbledWestRuimveldt6–0, New Central got past Westminster 2 – 0, Ann’s GroveandMarianAcademy

Sixteen Boys’teams were eliminated yesterday when the third day of the Championship were contested at the National Insurance Scheme Ground.

needled (1 – 0) New Amsterdam and IAE, respectively, while defending champion, Charlestown, narrowly lost to Tucville with the same scoreline.

Among the standout individual performances were Allia Henry’s eight goals for Waramuri Top, Kimon Edwards’ six goals for President’s College, Bartica’s hat-trick scorers, Nikesha Persaud, Nicole Joseph and Candacy Robinson, Dianyes Martinez’s helmet-trick for Cummings Lodge and Esdrimar Reben’s hat-trick forVergenoegen.

Boys’Division…

A total of 14 victorious teams emerged from the 16 male encounters with the othertwomatchesendingin drawnresults.

The most comfortable wins on Saturday included

Marian Academy’s 8 – 0 landslide over Hope, New CentralHigh’s6–0triumph over Christ Church and Fort Wellington4–1victoryover Annandale.

More comfortable wins were picked up by Chase’s Academic Foundation, who defeated North Ruimveldt 3 –1andEastRuimveldt,who trouncedStStanislaus5–3. Mackenzie also received a walkoverfromStCuthbert’s Mission.

The 2 – 1 result was the decider for a few matches which includedWestminster defeating defending champion, Charlestown, Patentia prevailing against West Ruimveldt, Bartica getting the upper-hand against Vergenoegen and CummingsLodgesqueezing pastWaramuriTop.

Among the more nailbiting matches was the Christianburg/Wismar

versus Queenstown clash, which ended 3 – 2 in the former’sfavour

Other matches saw Dolphin,BushLotandDora record 1 – 0 wins over New Campbellville, Charity and Ann’sGrove,respectively. The two matches that could not decide winners were President’s College versusInstituteofAcademic Excellence and Carmel versus New Amsterdam, whichended2–2and1–1, respectively

This tournament is sanctioned by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) with support from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI)andMVPSports. Details results of Day three will be published in tomorrow’sissue.

‘Bunny’ShawisManchesterCityWomen’sPlayeroftheSeason, missesoutonWSLGoldenBoot

SportsMax - Reggae

Girlz captain, Khadija

‘Bunny’ Shaw has won the award for Manchester City Women’s Player of the Season, having come out on topinafanvote.

Shaw, in her second season for Manchester City Women, scored 31 goals in all competitions, surpassing therecordforthemostgoals by a Women’s player across a single season. She also claimed the WSL Player of the Month awards in November and March and received the Goal of the

Season prize for her strike against Arsenal in April 2023.

Shaw, who scored twice inManchesterCityWomen’s 3-2 win over Everton on Saturday’s final day of the season, did miss out on the Women’s Super League Golden Boot having bagged 20 league goals, two shy of AstonVilla’sRachelDaley’s 22. Daley scored in Aston Villa’s2-0winoverArsenal.

ManchesterCityWomen finished fourth in the WSL on47pointsbehindwinners Chelsea Women who

amassed58pointsfromtheir 22 games. Manchester United Women finished second with 56 points Arsenal Women were third on 47 points, the same as Manchester City Women, who lost their first two games of the season before going on a 16-game unbeatenrun.

However, the Cityzens lost three of their last six games and fell out of the running for the title. They finished with a record of 15 wins, two draws and five losses.

Khadija ‘Bunny’Shaw

Bartica Goal Scorers on Saturday were (from left) Nicola Joseph, Mia Peters, Nikesha Persaud and Candacy Robertson.

AkeemCrandontakesshotatNCAAD2 basketballwithBarryUniversity

ByRawleToney

National basketball

player, Akeem Crandon, is taking his talent to Barry University after the former President’s College studentathlete accepted a ‘full ride’ from the Florida-based institution to compete in the National Collegiate Athletics Association

(NCAA)DivisionTwo.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to play college basketball at this high level and receiving a full scholarship to get my bachelor’s and master’s degree,” Crandon told Kaieteur News in an exclusiveinterview

In 2021, backed by the

Hope Foundation, Crandon migrated to New York to attend ASA College, where he competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DivisionOne.

Before migrating, Crandon excelled at both CSEC and CAPE, so it was nosurprisewhenhechalked up an impressive GPA of 3 91 while achieving an Associate’sDegreeinHealth InformationTechnology

The former Plaisance Guardians forward, while playing at ASA College, averaged 13 points per game, 11 rebounds and two blocks and was awarded a place on the NJCAAAll-Region FirstTeam.

Thanking the James brothers, Gordon and Shawn, for using their Hope Foundation to provide him with the opportunity, Crandon said his short-term goal is to get his Bachelor’s Degree in Bioengineering at BarryUniversity

“ I h a v e t h e opportunity to study for free just by playing basketball

But my ultimate endgoal for basketball will be to play professionally overseas and take care of myfamily

I have a great group of mentors from Hope Foundation supporting that dream, and once I put in the work and stay healthy, it is a strong possibility,” Crandon said

Crandon represented Guyana in both formats of basketball, telling Kaieteur News, “It’s always an honour to play for my country and have those colours across my chest. I love representing Guyana because that’s where it all started for me in basketball. However, with my college season going on, I am not sure how often I will be available to play, but every chance I get, I will represent.”

BarryUniversity,located in Miami, Florida, is known for its athletic programmes andacademicexcellence.

NBA legend, Shaquille O’Neal graduated from Barry University in 2012 with a doctoral degree in Education.

Roglic wins Giro d’Italia as Cavendish takes final stage

AFP - Primoz Roglic won the Giro d’Italia after crossing with the peloton on yesterday’s final procession stage in Rome, which was claimed by Mark Cavendish in a bunchsprint.

Jumbo Visma rider Roglic has added anotherGrandTourtohislonglistofhonours which includes a treble of victories in the VueltaaEspana.

The Slovenian topped the general classification after a cruise through the Italiancapital,histriumpheffectivelyearned aftersnatchingtheleadfromGeraintThomas in Saturday’s gruelling mountain-top individualtimetrial.

HevirtuallyassuredhimselfhisfirstGiro andearnedsomeredemptionforameltdown in similar circumstances three years ago at theTourdeFrance.

In2020itwasRoglicwholosttheTourto Tadej Pogacar, who overtook his compatriot in the penultimate stage time trial and

stormedtothefirstofhistwotriumphsatLa GrandeBoucle.

However Roglic made no mistake after earninghimselfa14-secondleadonThomas onSaturday,easingtovictoryonthecobbled via dei Fori Imperiali which leads from the ColosseumtotheRomanForum.

Roglic wins a Giro blighted by bad weatherandCovid-19,withdozensofriders droppingoutoverthethree-weektouraround Italy.Overall favourite Remco Evenepoel exited with the virus after claiming the pink jersey with a time-trial victory in the ninth stage,while2020championTaoGeoghegan Hartcrashedoutinthesecondweek.

CavendishendedhisfinaleverGirowith acomfortablestagevictorytotakehistallyof winsto162,his17thattheGiro.

TheBriton,whowillretireatthenendof the season, was hailed by riders from across the peloton after bursting over the line in classicstyle.

Guyanese Akeem Crandon will suit-up for Barry University in the NCAADivision Two.

Akeem Crandon

Primoz Roglic ends his quest with the pink jersey.

Rain forces IPL final into reserve day

Not the sight anyone wanted to see ahead of the IPL2023 final. (AFP/Getty Images)

Boys & Girls U14 Championships… Championships…

Group stage battles conclude

Asnippet of the action on the final day of the Group stage in the fourth edition of the ExxonMobil Boys & Girls Under-14 Division.

ExxonMobil