Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

'Reinject gas and save Guyana'

Monday Edition May 30, 2022 - Vol. 15 No. 21 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 81,842

…Energy Technologist tells EPA solar should be pursued instead of gas-to-shore project

UK slaps 25% tax on oil

....to raise $6.3B for citizens gripped by cost of living crisis

companies D-Day looms T

uesday May 31st is DD a y i n Guyana. Tomorrow, Tuesday, the environmental permit for the Liza-1 field development will expire.

Whether to renew that permit and the terms and conditions under which it will be renewed, will be a Decision that will Determine our Destiny.

As it is now public knowledge, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have increased the rate of its taxes on the oil companies. Given the soaring world market prices for oil, the United Kingdom is even contemplating a windfall tax. There is a proposal to do the same in the United States.

In Canada, there is already a sliding scale for royalties and taxes.

In Guyana, the country's royalty and profit taxes are fixed at 2% and 12.5%, regardless of the world market price.

This is utterly unacceptable, especially considering the favourable market

prices which presently exist for oil, the absence of ring-fencing and the generous concessions which the oil companies enjoy.

O n t h e environmental front, there remain ambiguities about the extent of insurance coverage under Liza-1.

This project has already resulted in environmental harm by flaring. In addition, the cause of the national decline in fish catch remains unsettled.

Guyanese must demand that its government takes steps to claw back greater returns and protections when considering the application for the renewal of the environmental permit for Liza-1. Anything less would be a betrayal of the public trust.

We u r g e a l l Guyanese to stay engaged with this process.

One day remains before the original environmental permit expires but the decision, which will affect all Guyanese for generations to come.

Gun, scissors seized at 'Stink and Dutty' show

Carpenter kills engineer, stabs another man with steel rod West Berbice man kills self after stabbing ex-girlfriend

Guyana setting bad pattern by spending all its initial oil profits ...Analyst says Exxon drilling for oil, Guyana digging “fiscal hole”

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Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

Gun, scissors seized at 'Stink n Dutty' show T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has reported that it seized a firearm, knives, scissors and other weapons from persons who attended the “Stink n Dutty j'ouvert” which was held at the National Park, Georgetown, on Saturday night.

The police reported that around 02:30hrs on Sunday, a police rank on duty at the show, which was hosted by Hits and Jams (HJ) Entertainment observed two males who were fighting outside of where the show was being held.

Upon approaching the men, a handgun fell from the pants waist of one of the men and as such, the rank held onto the man and the firearm.

The firearm was examined and it was observed to be a .32 pistol with one .32 live ammunition.

It was reported that the firearm was found on a 26year-old porter of Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The porter was told of the

The knives, scissors and other weapons that were also seized.

offence committed before he was arrested and then escorted to Alberttown Police Station and placed

into custody. The firearm and ammunition were marked, sealed and lodged in the custody also.

Moreover, at the entrance of the show where scanners were used, the police seized scissors, knives and improvised weapons.The security for the Independence week events was ramped up following gunshots, a “rain of bottles” and an alleged robbery spree, which abruptly ended the 'Baderation' Concert early Saturday morning.

The “Baderation” event featured Jamaican Dancehall artiste “Skeng”, whose real (Continued on page 16)

The firearm and ammunition that were seized.

Kaieteur News

Monday May 30, 2022

PAGE 03

Reinject gas and save Guyana …Energy Technologist tells EPA solar should be pursued instead of gas-to-shore project

T

he associated gas from oil production should be reinjected to save Guyana from further damage to the environment.

This is the view of Former University of Guyana (UG) Lecturer and past representative of the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI), Mr. Alfred Bhulai who has suggested, in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that solar power be pursued instead, as this option could be at least five times cheaper than the proposed Gas-to-Energy Project.

Bhulai, who holds a degree in Applied Chemistry (U.G) and Engineering (Technical University of Berlin) sent his submission to the EPA yesterday.

Currently, there is a 60-day period where members of the public can share their views and concerns or even questions regarding the project which must be addressed before an approval is granted by the regulator body.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Gas-toEnergy project to be constructed at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara was submitted to the EPA, which triggered the comments period.

The Gas-to-Energy project is being pursued by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited

(EEPGL), on behalf of itself and its coventurers (Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited). It proposes to bring the associated natural gas, produced from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block, to shore for use.

The Government of Guyana is pursuing a separate project to construct a power plant that would use a portion of this associated natural gas as a fuel source.

Accordingly, EEPGL, at the request of the Government, is proposing the Project to provide fuel for the Power Plant.

The project will involve capturing associated gas produced from crude oil production operations on the Liza Phase 1 (Destiny) and Liza Phase 2 (Unity) Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, transporting approximately 50 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd; 1.4 million standard cubic meters per day [MMsm3/d]) of rich gas via a subsea pipeline and then an onshore pipeline to a NGL processing plant, treating the gas to remove NGLs for sale to third parties, and ultimately delivering dry gas meeting government specifications for use at the Power Plant.

Bhulai, in his submission explained that his comments on the

Energy Technologist, Alfred Bhulai project was prompted by the justification for the venture, as an alternative source of energy, touted by the Project Manager, Friedrich Krispin at a public consultation held at Leonora on May 13, 2022.

He said, “The associated gas from the oil wells is best reinjected and the money earned from Guyana's oil (can) be used to install the equivalent in solar power as recommended.”

The specialist was keen to note that solar power can eliminate completely the environmental impacts and can be implemented gradually, beginning in areas which

presently do not have electricity.

“People will be empowered with reliable power and not be subject to large-scale blackouts. It (solar power) is at least five times cheaper than the Gas to Energy scheme, not dependent on unrevealed source gas prices,” Bhulai pointed out.

It must be noted that Guyanese are still clueless about the cost it will be billed by ExxonMobil to transport the gas, via a pipeline from the Liza Phase One and Two fields, in the Stabroek Block. So far, the cost to lay the onshore and offshore pipelines alone is expected to cost around US$1.3 billion. As a consequence, the Specialist went on to urge the EPA to make full use of his suggested alternative, which he believes would lend to the “effective management of the natural environment so as to ensure conservation, protection, and sustainable use of Guyana's solar and gas resources”.

Floating Liquid Petroleum and Natural Gas Plant Though he outlined his preference for the reinjection alternative and the use of solar power to provide a stable supply of electricity, the Energy Technologist also suggested that a Floating Liquid Petroleum and Natural Gas Plant be pursued, rather than transport the gas to shore, via a

pipeline.

This option, according to Bhulai, “have no significant difference in economics between onshore and floating gas to power plants; are more flexible and longer lasting, by being able to move to many more wells than Liza (and) are more suitable for selling gas on the world market, if the power plant is not realized in time, and after we use what we need; and will eliminate the onshore pipeline environmental impact.”

In his letter to the EPA, the Specialist made reference to Section 4(1) of the Environmental Protection Act, which states that the functions of the EPA are “(a) to take such steps for the effective management of the natural environment so as to ensure conservation, protection, and sustainable use of its natural resources; and (b) to promote the participation of members of the public in the process of integrating environmental concerns in planning for development on a sustainable basis.”

Against this background, he said he expects the EPA to promote participation of the public via nongovernmental media in the process of integrating environmental concerns in planning for development of Guyana's energy on a sustainable basis.

Banks DIH hosts employment drive at Uitvlugt

A

job fair was hosted at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, on Sunday

by Banks DIH Limited.

Kaieteur News understands that the employment drive was hosted with the intention of targeting laid off sugar estate workers from that community.

Director of the

Engineering Services Department at Banks DIH, Shabir Hussain explained that the company is seeking a number of skilled and unskilled persons to fill vacancies.

He explained, “We have a number of posts that are open for a number of persons including technician both electrical, mechanical, gardeners, cleaners, clerical

staff, and engineers. We are seeking to fill those vacancies and at the same time giving an opportunity to the workers who were affected by the estate closure to secure employment with the company.”

According to Hussain, close to thirty persons turned up to the job fair.

He explained that while the fair targets the laid off

A job fair was hosted by Banks DIH Limited at Uitvulgt, West Coast Demerara.

sugar workers, it is open to everyone.

“This is our first one here, we plan on coming back to Uitvulgt and later we will target other communities where there are similar

unemployment issues.

We want to do more job fairs because our company is also expanding,” Hussain added.

The employment drive was hosted even as the local

beverage giant report an increase in profit this year despite the numerous setbacks, particularly trade and commodity costs attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The courts not only resort “Court cases are key to changes in oil contract -Chris Ram” was the caption we chose for a story in our Sunday edition (KN May 29). We hear that loudly, and it is clearly understood, for it has both substance and merit.

On the other hand, there is so much that goes beyond the hallowed chambers of the judiciary, wherever such end up to be, after all the many tiers of appeal and escalation.

Guyana’s leaders (as unpromising as they are), must find ways, use any human agency, employ any strategy, to exploit as many pressure points as may be available to twist Exxon’s arm and drum some sense into the heads of the company’s chief decision makers. Because if we don’t, and await adjudication of the courts favourable to this country, then we could be in for a long wait.

Such is the reality of how remote our chances of success in a court of law could be, given the operation of contract law and precedence, as well as the near impregnable character of this burdensome oil deal. To repeat the obvious, it is an uphill fight, one that is rendered even more grueling, given our domestic temperaments and circumstances.

For example, we have lawyers who are savvy, seasoned, and skillful, of that, there is no doubt. But in the same breath, it could be said that we don’t have lawyers of any calibre, even less than a handful with the truly national characteristics that we need, and which could give us a fighting chance to combat the mighty juggernaut that stands against us. It is best identified as the consortium of oil companies, with America’s Exxon as lynchpin and spearhead.

Pay attention and it becomes obvious that there are no leading Guyanese lawyers stepping forward and expressing outrage at the assault and battery inflicted by the oil companies against Guyana. Local lawyers of prowess, who would jump in the blink of an eye, and rise up in righteous rhetoric, as powerful advocates for the man in the street, or on behalf of domestic corporate entities, are now conspicuous by their absence and silence. Their individual bottom line is that nothing must be allowed to interfere with their financial bottom line.

Going against Exxon could mean that they have all but given up on getting a slice of the prospering, mouthwatering legal gravy from overseas operators coming to Guyana to do business. Speaking out for Guyanese interests would make them into marked men and women, hence, blackballed from partaking of the rich legal honey represented by outside companies setting up shop here. Further, our local legal luminaries have no desire to attract the critical scrutiny of the PPPC Government, and end up on the wrong side of its leaders, who are known for their long memories and longer streaks of meanness.

To offer another example of the one-sided fight of the Guyanese people to get justice from the oil companies, particularly Exxon, locals must not make the mistake of thinking that they have loyal and trusted corner men and women from the ranks of foreign proconsuls, better known as ambassadors and High Commissioners.

They are here to look out for and represent, if not protect, the interests of Exxon and Hess and Tullow and others. If anyone requires any evidence, they are asked to compare the interest, energy levels, and intensity of the foreign diplomatic chiefs today versus what they displayed during our raucous elections.

They were what would be best for their own then, and they are the same way today, now that there is a Quisling PPPC Government on their side. Clearly, all that Guyanese have going for them are their visions of what should be for them and their children, and all their fellow citizens. It is their sense of fair play, their passion for country and patrimony, and their readiness to appreciate that they must link arms to overcome who and what stand in resistance to the fullness of their promise. Guyanese can sit back and absorb whatever is shoveled on them or they can take to rooftops and streets.

They can refuse to roll over and die. People power beats any other power, local or foreign.

A monumental breakdown in security DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me space in your newspaper to comment on what I considered a monumental breakdown in security during the ‘Baderation Concert’ by Jamaican dancehall artiste SKENG at the National Park on Friday, May 27, 2022.

During the year 2004, I was posted as the Police Commander of “A” Division, which includes the capital city Georgetown.

At that time, I was aware that a disturbing feature at shows involving Jamaican dancehall artistes was the unlawful and indiscriminate firing of guns and the use of chemical agent (mace) during shows. T hose actions caused widespread panic at the venue and was capitalised on by criminal elements to rob unsuspecting and vulnerably patrons.

There was evidence that suggested that the mayhem

was deliberately orchestrated for the purpose of creating panic and robbing patrons.

I was given the task of creating a security protocol for those shows. The protocol was created and implemented. Incidents of unlawful gunfire and the use of mace at shows became a thing of the past.

A few days ago, I saw a video on social media of SKENG and others arriving in Guyana.

I was unaware of who the artiste was (I am sure that is a generation thing), so I made some inquiries. The first thing I was told was that there was likely to be gunfire during the performance of a particular song. I was further informed that there was likely to be mayhem during the show.

How prescient those insights were! Wasn’t the authorities aware of this? If not, why not?

It is very troubling that at a time when the government

is seeking to promote tourism and has been hyping the upcoming Caribbean Premier League cricket tournament, the semifinals and final of which are scheduled for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, security is so lax at an event that a patron can enter the venue with an illegal firearm (according to the police), and beverage is served to patrons in glass bottles, among other clear security breaches. That can only be described as a case of regression.

Copies of the protocol I referred to above should still be around (I have no claim to copyright).

The institutional memory should still be there. I call on the persons responsible for security to dust off the protocol and have it implemented post haste. One of the main elements of the protocol was that the police commander of the division in which the

show was to be held had primacy over all the security related activities, including the granting of permission for the event, which was a critical first step.

However, the current reality is that politicians are involved and determine every major decision in the Guyana Police Force. I am therefore of the view that despite a hurriedly called meeting by the police high command to address the issue, nothing significant will be done without directions from the politicians whose interest may not be fully aligned with the interest of persons responsible for the security of such events.

By the way, was there any similar meeting between the police and the promoter(s) prior to the show to establish clear security guidelines?

Regards Paul Slowe CCH, DSM, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ret’d)

The correctness of the Coalition government’s policy is evident today DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Peeping Tom’s column, “The PNC/R is predictable”, published in Kaieteur News, Sunday, May 29, 2022. In particular, I reference the statement, “No one said anything also when APNU+AFC rolled out its Rural Agricultural Infrastructural Development (RAID) project in Ithaca, Buxton, Beterverwagting and Mocha. No one complained then about neglect.” This statement was made apparently to blunt the justifiable criticisms made by the Opposition Leader about the neglect of the mainly AfricanGuyanese communities of Zambia and Little Africa in Black Bush Polder. I will now use this opportunity to provide background and context to the RAID project.

Under the minority PPP/C government of President Donald Ramotar, the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) was approached for a loan to fund farm-to-market roads in selected areas of

the country. On July 6, 2013, loan (GUY/L0001): Guyana/ CDF Access Road Project, was signed in the amount of US$11 million. The purpose of the loan was to construct four roads and bridges to enable farmers to improve access to farms and markets, expand agricultural production by bringing new lands under cultivation and modernise and expand facilities in Parika, Ruby, Laluni and Onverwagt.

At the closing-out ceremony for the project, held in November, 2016, it was disclosed that 35,000 persons and 9,500 households benefitted directly from the project. So successful was the project that a second phase was contemplated to provide even more benefits to these same areas.

Immediately after the Coalition government entered Office, in May 2015, I engaged the CDF about a new Country Assistance Programme (CAP), 2015-2020. Given the government’s expressed intention of bringing develop-

What is happening with regularising of electric bikes?

Dear Editor, Some months ago, it was stated the GRA and GPF were collaborating with regards to regulations governing the use of the popular electric bikes.

But since then, there has been no word on the status or outcomes of the collaboration.

What is happening here? As every day, these bikes can be seen on the roadways? The need to have these bikes regularised is needed urgently.

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

ment to all parts of the country, I related to the CDF that we would prefer that the project’s objectives and success be replicated in other areas of the country, especially previously neglected areas.

This stance resulted in the RAID project being conceptualised and a loan and grant agreement signed in December 2016. It targeted Buxton, Beterverwagting, Ithaca and Mocha. These are all communities with a history of farming; they possess rich agricultural lands, which remained unutilized or underutilised because of poor drainage, among other depressing socio-politico-economic factors. Specifically, therefore, the RAID project was aimed at bringing 2500 acres of abandoned lands back into cultivation, organising 1200 farmers into

cooperatives, and supplying excavators, tractors, pumps to clear and plough the lands, among other worthy objectives.

The correctness of the Coalition government’s policy is evident today, when the world is experiencing food shortages, and CARICOM is seeking to cut the region’s food import bill by 25% by 2025. It is rather unfortunate for the RAID project to be cited by Peeping Tom in the manner that he/she did. In doing so, he/ she may have unwittingly provided the reason why the project has been beset with problems and implementation difficulties over the past 18 months. Wither Guyana!

Yours faithfully, Winston Jordan Former Minister of Finance

How do you measure success?

DEAR EDITOR, People make choices that affect their lives and others.

Some of these choices lead to success and some to failure.

The question is how do we measure the successes in our lives? Is it enough to be materially successful or do we need spiritual uplifting as well? What about respect from others? Do people respect you when you are successful or envy you?

I submit that people would respect you when you are successful if they understand and can see how that success came about.

What about the opposite to success? That is, failure?

Do we learn to deal with failure or do we get into a negative mindset and give up trying, blaming circumstances and everyone else but ourselves?

Success and failure are comparative terms. You are never going to know you are successful unless you have had some failures in life. As well as, you never know how successful you are unless you are comparing with the fortunes of others.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

Monday May 30, 2022

Oil nationality driven by political unity and integrity DEAR EDITOR, I hear calls for national healing, and I welcome other voices and spirits.

It is one that only a few Guyanese have made their calling, more of us, all of us must be about so and work diligently towards so.

For if we don’t have the national healing that leads to national unity, then we have nothing. We may as well not have a drop of oil or all the good that it does for us. I present why.

The past few days the Liza-1 Permit renewal has come up for blizzards of comment; my two cents are there somewhere. In doing so, there is full appreciation for sacrosanct contracts, their inviolability.

Additionally, this irrefutable fact stands: Guyana cannot ‘out lawyer’ Exxon.

I don’t think also that this country can ‘out-politick’ it, starting with the Her Excellency (Ambassador) and continuing to 1600 Pennsylvania (White House).

We may not have the courts of law looking upon our claims and contentions favourably, or the power to dictate our destiny.

But what we have left is one thing and one thing only: the court of public opinion, the chamber of public pressure, the tribunal of the man in the street writ large.

It is Guyana’s only asset, the spirit that could power national unity, the attitudes that energise national healing.

But that we don’t have.

There is no more infallible logic and sagaciousness than that state of being. This is why I say so.

Given our reactions to most things, large or small, any action against Exxon is frowned upon as an action against the PPP. This is notwithstanding the overwhelming understanding that moving against Exxon and cornering the company (insofar as practicable) can only be financially beneficial for this country.

The few quality members of the local legal fraternity possess this instinctive antiPPP conclusion, their related political complexion plus cal-

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Kaieteur News

culated monetary ambitions.

If this is so of our eagles, it is why our doves and pigeons languish at ground level.

Ditto those calling themselves financial analysts.

Instead of for flag, it is what favours personally.

To present differently, members of Guyana’s elites and intelligentsia, inclusive of fakes, pretenders, and the authentic, have sized up the local oil territory, and concluded that the best strategy is to prioritise what is good for themselves.

To remind for emphasis, what does not outrage or discomforts the PPP. No cage rattling.

Editor, subtract those from the domestic stew, and Guyana is left with (politely) proletariat or peasants, the multitudes or the masses.

Or to describe harshly, riffraff, bottom feeders, cannon fodder.

But they are the ones that the Exxon(s) of the world fear.

Their only recommendation is their number, and their energies and passions once marshalled and deployed well, meaning strategically and tactically.

This brings us willingly, or screaming and spitting, back to national healing.

For when we don’t have the fullness of our 780,000 selves, then Exxon and Hess have us by the proverbial chestnuts.

Consider: What may fail in the halls of justice would succeed in the street in exposing and excoriating Exxon for the predator and swindler that it is of the aspirations of a dreadfully poor people and place. A frenzied people can be a fearsome force.

There would be the justice that comes from such.

It is why we need to heal and mend, and as a fulltime pursuit, given grave illness.

To overcome that Stability Clause, we first must be stable, as in together. Brother is not the enemy.

Exxon doesn’t want that, prefers Guyana to remain as it is, free and fair and democracy and all.

The ABCEU people know this, and when their sanctimonies are done about legal

rights, there are human rights.

Guyanese do not have it, not with that ironclad contract.

Guyanese bear the brunt of its incomparable afflictions from the depredations of a handful of those same ABCEU’s own.

Editor, a partially healed and somewhat united people sufficiently incited (deliberately used instead of mobilised) would denounce Exxon universally and keep that harsh, remorseless searchlight on its Guyanese presence.

What Exxon would be the object of the worst publicity, the more, the better for Guyana, if only to spotlight the rapacity (criminal capi-

talism) of its presence here.

Outsiders could pay more attention to its flaring (and it doesn’t want that, regard-

less of volume); foreigners would probe as to what is really going on with fishing (and Exxon doesn’t want too much of that); Guyanese would hold its nose to the grindstone with public outrage a la 70s and 80s.

But to be so and get there, we need national healing.

It is warming to read of callings for national healing, but it must an uninterrupted display of will, of stamina, of vision, and of the principles of what we really want as our destiny. Of course, that is if we really desire it.

Divided we are picked off, utter fools; united, we stand a chance to go somewhere.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Is GPL Grove Branch in breach of the country’s COVID-19 regulations?

DEAR EDITOR, The Extraordinary Gazettes - 14th March, 2022 Regulations No. 8 of 2022 – The Public Health Ordinance - Revocation clause #11 brought about much needed change in Guyana, following an extensive lock-down and public policing COVID-19 restrictions era.

It signalled the country was open to do business again; this has been the case everywhere except the GPL Grove Branch. As recent as Saturday, May 28, 2022, persons were requested to provide their COVID-19 vaccinations evidence as a condition to conduct business at that GPL location.

The multiple security persons addressing the public were essentially unmasked and not professionally attired so their request/ reasons for remains baffling.

Business that serve hundreds per day, such as, the commercial banks, NIS, GPL Head Office, GTT, Government Ministries, etc., no longer prevent or harass persons although they do continuously monitor the social distancing process for customers within their buildings.

When informed what the official gazette regulatory guidelines were, the female guard present defended the elderly male guard that was making the request by claim-

ing he was working with instructions.

Whose instructions? GPL needed to put out a public notice of this requirement exception with an explanation so persons can be properly informed beforehand to avoid confrontations with their security personnel.

Isn’t it lawlessness for GPL, a public company, to

reinforce a requirement during a period when the said requirement was revoked by the government of Guyana or is the GPL Grove Branch/Outlet operating within a regulatory system of its own?

Sincerely Concerned Citizen

There are rules governing the use of force in the Police Force DEAR EDITOR, Recently, an incident between a police traffic constable in uniform and a taxi driver at New Amsterdam, Berbice went viral. The social media is awash with diverse comments about the activity.

I am not sure what triggered the unsavoury event.

Therefore, it would be flippant of me to pass judgment on the policeman or the civilian. The person who is sitting in the chair of the office of Commissioner of Police ordered an investigation. I hope that the investigation will be impartial so that a pellucid picture will emerge as to what exactly took place.

Editor, please permit me to briefly restate some previous comments I made and intro-

duce a few new concepts on the use of force by members of the Force. Use of force including excessive force has always been difficult. Use of force is sometimes a necessary part of the job, but determining what is reasonable is highly subjective.

In the United States of America, the landmark case in the use of force is Graham v Connor in which the Court held: “The calculus of reasonableness must embody allowance for the fact that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments - in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving - about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation. “Use of force expert Nowicki (2000)

explains: “The standard according to the decision, is the ‘reasonable objective officer’.”

There are many use-offorce models. However, the one used by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is very instructive.

It has five levels. Level One is the Complaint Level where no use of force is usually reasonable. Level Two is the Resistive (Passive) Level where the subject does not follow the officer’s commands.

Force options here include guiding or directing the suspect through hands - on techniques. Level Three is the Resistive (Active) Level, which occurs when a subject actively resists arrest. Level (Continued on page 6)

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We must be cognizant of the root of the very things we are condescending about DEAR EDITOR, I was both, amused and a bit annoyed by the reactions to the “Baderation Show” as they were posted on social media. What posts did not amuse me about their typical Guyanese styled presentations, annoyed me with the blame casting and the condescending remarks of some, especially the ‘older folks’ who seem to be speaking from their ivory towers of Supreme morality. What happened Friday night was not a reflection of just the people who were at the show who were branded as ‘dunce thugs’, ‘empty headed’, and ‘lawless lunatics’, among other names.

It’s a thing about the older generation to always cast blames like “these young people...”; “and the young generation gone far...”, etc. I remember a recently passed on grandfather told me that ‘wrong things used to always happen.’ Those young people at the concert are children and grandchildren of people in their 40s and 50s who danced to Shabba Ranks’ “Punaani Rhythm” chanting lyrics like “one jook, one wash”; Adesh Samaroo’s “rum ‘til I die”; and had their children and grand-

children loudly repeating Beenie Man’s “no gyaal can’t siddown pon mi head...” to loud laughter and hoorays.

I am in no way innocent of these very accusations as I myself danced to these very songs. I admit being part of the problem as it’s one of the first steps in having an appropriate response.

The very names of the concerts leave a lot to be desired. “Baderation” may not be as bad as “Stink and Dutty” but if the former produced what we saw, I hope by the time this letter is published, we would not have seen revelations of the latter standing truer to its colloquial interpretation. I hear some people already responding that many of these are adults should know better to never conduct themselves like this, ‘as we can have fun without doing such weird things.’ My counter will be that these types of social issues aren’t dealt with at an individual level as we will be going around in circles awaiting pigs to fly. I notice our Chief Security Advisor stating an intention about hauling in the promoters. I hope this will be complemented by hauling of the agency/sub-agency that

issued permission for shows carrying these names. I am not au fait with the names of recent concerts around the Caribbean, but even if they carry similar names, are we to necessarily follow suit? The artiste did not choose to sing lyrics that lead to interpretations revealing what we saw, overnight. He would have earned credits throughout his career to reach the point of hosting shows like these. My point is, if we continue to have the framework that support and reward phenomena like the themes of these shows and some music that go along with them, we will dance to “One bottle of rum a day” one day, and blame gun toting members of an audience at a show a next day. I am in no way asking for a religious state. However, we must be cognizant of the root of the very things, which we want to be condescending about and accept that while there are many of us who will know our limits to “having a good time,” we must be aware of those who cannot and must be influenced, both directly and through systems.

Thank you.

Regards, Kalesh Ramsaroop

There are rules governing the...

From page 5 Three force options include joint manipulation or restraint, leverage techniques, pressure points or even OC (pepper) spray, with a warning given first under proper circumstances. Level Four is the Assaultive (bodily harm) Level, a direct physical attack on an officer or others. Appropriate force options at this level include strikes with hand, fists, elbows or knees: kicks: baton strikes: and

Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

forcefully directing the subject to the ground. Level Five is the Assaultive (serious bodily harm or death) Level, where the appropriate response would be deadly force.”

According to Nowicki, there are three rules relating to use of force by any officer.

Rule number one is you go home the same way as when you went to work: ALIVE. Rule number two is that you don’t go to prison. Rule num-

ber three is you keep your job. If your use of force is reasonable you protect yourself, your agency, the community and even the assailant. But when in doubt, always remember rule number one.

Wow! I think that this is a good time for me to take a strategic time out.

Yours respectfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commisdioner of Police (Retired)

56th Independence Observed

by Diaspora in NYC DEAR EDITOR, Guyana’s 56th independence was observed with a cultural variety show, speeches, and a hot meal in Richmond Hill on Saturday late afternoon.

The observance took place at the Tulsi Mandir on 111 Street at the corner of Liberty Avenue in Little Guyana.

The mandir is under the spiritual leadership of Pandit Lakeram Maharaj.

Although a long holiday weekend with the observance of Memorial Day on Monday, and the official start of the summer holidays, Guyanese still found time to grace the event that was co-sponsored by several groups including the NY Guyana democracy project. Dr. Tara Singh played the lead role in organising the event and was ably assisted by this writer and a few other individuals.

Dr. Singh recognised and thanked them all for making the event a success.

The official guests of the event were the Ambassador (Sam Hinds) and Deputy Ambassador (Zulfikar Ally) of Guyana to the USA. Also gracing the ceremony was the official (Acting) Consular General of Guyana to New York Aneesa Alli and Fazal (Joe) Yussuf of the Consulate, Dr. Satish Prakash, Pandit Rooplall Phagu and several other pandits.

Dr. Tara Singh, President of NY GDP, gave a warm welcome to the attendees, artistes and official guests. He introduced the emcee for the proceedings Shameeza Ally, a popular radio and TV personality.

The programme began with invocation of prayers by

Dr. Satish Prakash. There was a beautiful Bharrat Natyam dance rendered by Jaya of the Shri Sundar Gopal Mandir Dance class.

Then there was the Dance Choreographer, founder of the Sarswattie Dance Academy, Sursatie, who led her troupe with a scintillating dance, which drew the undivided attention of everyone.

Dr. Satish Prakash asked the audience “to give them another round of applause for a magnificent performance.”

We thank Pt. Rooplall Phagu for organising the dances.

Former President and Prime Minister of Guyana, Sam Hinds, now Ambassador of Guyana to Washington DC, delivered the keynote address.

In discussing the journey to independence, Mr. Hinds slammed critics of the PPP/C government for fabricating news and providing false narratives about issues and development in Guyana.

“The evidence of remarkable progress is there for all to see and yet this continual engagement in distortion and falsehood,” he stated.

He insisted that the PPP/ C government will continue to govern for the benefit of all six races and is passionately committed to the idea of “One Guyana”.

The diplomat said: “I have worked over 30 years within the party and they always put the country first.

The current leadership of the President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and Prime Minister Mark Phillips follows in the path of Dr. Jagan but they are more vibrant.”

Mr. Hinds spoke on the “so-called experts” on the oil

industry and warn his audience to beware of their false narratives. “Right now Guyana earns 14.5% of oil revenues, and depending on oil prices, the flow of revenue into the Natural Resources Fund could either expand or reduce dramatically.”

The Guyana Ambassador continued, “while we utilise some funds for grants, we don’t believe in handouts.”

Honourable Sam Hinds lashed out at the PNC/R, WPA, and other sources who have been advocating vigorously for handouts.

He stated, “An important portion of oil funds is for budgetary support: in such areas as physical and social infrastructure.

But handouts do not build countries and empower people; jobs, education, housing, etc. empower people.”

Mr. Zukfikar Ally, his deputy, made a plea for Guyanese to return home with their children to witness the phenomenal changes taking place there “because in 10 years’ time, they might not able to recognise the country, which would have gone through dramatic transformation.”

He also indicated the need for a good education.

Joe Yussuf, the Diaspora and Investment Officer at the NY Consulate stated that the Consulate is there to serve every Guyanese and they will organise interactive sessions with Guyanese frequently to address their needs.

Mr. Albert Baldeo, a community activist and politician praised the leadership of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and said that one of his legacies is working for and with all Guyanese, irrespective of race, religion, gender or physically or mentally challenged.

He says that he has full confidence that the PPP/C leadership team will make a significant transformation of the country in a very short time. He wished all Guyanese a happy 56th independence anniversary.

Also in attendance was a Representative of NYS Assembly woman Jennifer Rajkumar.

Ms. Shameeza Ally did a wonderful job emceeing the proceedings.

The organisers expressed gratitude and appreciation to Pt. R Phagu of Gopal Sundar Mandir, Sydney of Hibiscus Restaurant, Srad Kublall, Dave Narine of Dave West Indian Imports, and host, Pt. Lakeram Maharaj who provided the hall gratis for the event.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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T U T N N T U N U L Whither the CoI into the 2020 elections fiasco?

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

After five tortuous months of drama, deceit and devastation over the March 2020 elections, one would have thought by now a full-blown investigation would have been conducted.

After all, there have been claims and counter claims about electoral malpractices and though some folks have been hauled before the court, citizens are not convinced that we have gotten to the root of the problem that afflicts Guyana Elections Commission and what led to the fiasco back in 2020.

On assuming office, none other than the President, Irfaan Ali told Guyanese that his government would launch a Commission of Inquiry into the disputed polls. Two years later, both the PPP/C Government and the Guyana Elections Commission seem unconcerned about such an inquiry.

This is a travesty and tragedy for this nation.

Which serious, sensible and stable country would allow this? Guyanese deserve better!

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Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

UK slaps 25% tax on oil companies ...to raise $6.3B for citizens gripped by cost of living crisis

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h e U K government has announced that it will introduce a windfall tax on oil and gas operators which could raise US$6.3B in the first six months which will then be used to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis in the country.

A windfall tax is a one-off tax imposed by a government on a company, specifically targeting those that benefit from something they were not responsible for. In this instance, the huge profits gained by oil and gas companies in the UK is due to a sharp increase in oil and gas prices following Russia's

invasion of Ukraine. The UK government said the purpose of this tax is to distribute excess profits made by oil companies for the greater social good.

The windfall tax comes as oil and gas giants, like Shell and BP, booked record profits in the first quarter of this year, driven by a spike in oil and gas prices. BP had also revealed it would invest up to £18 billion in the UK's energy system by the end of 2030 due to significant profits gained.

It was actually UK Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, who on Thursday last announced that the

government is introducing a temporary, targeted Energy Profits Levy charged on profits of oil and gas companies at a rate of 25 percent. Kaieteur News understands that this is the highest rate seen in 40 years in the UK. Stating that the oil and gas sector is making extraordinary profits not as the result of recent changes to risk-taking, innovation or efficiency but as the result of surging global commodity prices driven in part by Russia's war, the Chancellor said, “For that reason, I am sympathetic to the argument to tax those profits fairly.”

He further added, “But as

ever, there is a sensible middle ground. We should not be ideological about this; we should be pragmatic. It is possible to both tax extraordinary profits fairly and incentivise investments.”

Therefore, Sunak stated, “ We w i l l i n t r o d u c e a temporary targeted energy profits levy. But, we have built into the new levy a new investment allowance.”

He explained that that means companies will have a new and significant incentive to reinvest their profits, underlining that this is a temporary measure and, when oil and gas prices return to historically more normal levels, the levy will be phased out with a sunset clause written into the legislation. “Crucially, with our new investment allowance, we are nearly

doubling the overall investment relief for oil and gas companies. For every pound a company invests, they will get back 90 percent in tax relief. So, the more a company invests, the less tax t h e y w i l l p a y, ” t h e Chancellor added.

Kaieteur News had reported on Sunday that two other global powerhouses, Canada and the USA, are also following the same trend of strengthening their fiscal regime for the oil sector.

British Columbia (BC), Canada's westernmost province, had announced that it will be increasing royalty rates between five percent and 40 percent to raise an additional CAD$200M a year in revenues for its people. The revelation was made by Premier John Horgan. The official recently said that for too long, “a

broken system of fossil-fuel subsidies” has failed to ensure citizens “fully benefit” from their resources.

Kaieteur News understands that the changes came after it was found that the royalty system was failing the people of British Columbia.

This newspaper learned from the Vancover Sun—a daily newspaper which dates back to 1912— that royalties had topped a billion Canadian dollars a year for almost a decade starting in 2000, largely from natural gas. Gas royalties then peaked in 2005-06 at CAD$1.92 billion, but by 2010 royalties had plummeted to sometimes less than CAD$150 million, even though gas production was rising.

In light of the deep losses, (Continued on page 15)

Monday May 30, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Guyana setting bad pattern by spending all … analyst says Exxon drilling for its initial oil profits oil, Guyana digging “fiscal hole”

By Zena Henry Guyana is bent on the development of much needed infrastructure and has dedicated the first haul of its oil profits to this year's budget to assist with the financing of its many projects.

Already issuing some precaution on “unsustainable” oil- reliant spending because of market volatility, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) is also pointing the country to keep gauge on its internal affairs as it begins to expend oil profits.

The Institute submitted in one of its recent assessment's on Guyana's oil sector that the country already seems to be mismanaging its funds and setting a “bad precedence” on how future spending of oil money will be conducted.

The concern is raised because spending of the oil money should improve the country's financial position by, among other things, helping to lower its debt and budget deficit.

They are among the advice provided to Guyana by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when such technical support was requested.

IEEFA's principle, Tom Sanzillo reminded that the four key objectives was that the money in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) would be used to help firstly close the deficits, increase funding for budget needs, reduce debt and save for future generations.

With the passage of this year's budget, what was observed, Sanzillo related, was that oil revenues were not enough to cover the non-oil

budget deficit. The new revenue from oil production of G$127 billion (USD$ 606 million) fell short of the non-oil budget deficit which is calculated by subtracting the total amount of non-oil revenue (traditional sectors) from total government expenditures.

The 2022 budget does fund new needs Sanzillo pointed out, but does so in an unsustainable manner.

“The new revenues partially supported the government's 37 percent increase in spending over last year's budget.

The higher spending level was made possible through a combination of new oil revenues and new borrowing.”

So, while new spending should not have exceeded the amount contributed into the NRF, it did, Sanzillo noted.

And this is despite the government agreeing that in any year, the amount of increased spending would not exceed the amount of the oil revenue received.

Also, the 2022 budget and the new oil revenues did not reduce debt, the analyst continued. “The government borrowed an additional G$87.7 billion (USD$420 million) in 2022. Guyana's total indebtedness between December 2021 and December 2022 is expected to increase by 14 percent.”

IEEFA had pointed out in

its earlier report that Guyana would have to go deeper into debt as a consequence of the oil and gas extraction. “So far, IEEFA's estimate has proven to be accurate,” Sanzillo reported. Additionally, there were no contributions made to Guyana's SWF. “ According to the IMF, Guyanese officials agreed initially to constrain annual spending to avoid exceeding the amount transferred to the NRF.” It was also mentioned that spending should have been further constrained by a fiscal mechanism that would retain 50 percent of the proceeds from the NRF in the NRF, but, “in this year's budget, no money was transferred to the NRF, and overall spending exceeded the amount transferred to the NRF. In announcing the use of the oil money to partly fund the country's biggest budget, a hefty $552.9 billion, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the oil revenues would reduce Guyana's reliance on borrowing. He said that “The fiscal deficit this year, in this budget, would be lower than the fiscal deficit in last year, because from a financing perspective, that means we'd have to borrow less because some of the oil and gas revenue will go to replace the high level of borrowing that we have had.”

Dem Boys Seh…

De superheroes willing to join de fight Dem gat combat going on in Ukraine. But even though Superman, Spiderman, Captain America, Wonder Woman and Thor could join forces and stop de Russians, dem nah intervene as yet.

Dem attention focus on Guyana where de people fighting fuh a better deal.

Hulk already sign on to de campaign for a better deal.

Depending on wat happen on Tuesday, you could expect Superman, Spiderman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Thor along with Batman, Aqua Man, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Conan de Barbarian, De Fantastic Four, Ironman and Zatara to join in fighting fuh defend Guyana from dem oil

companies. Dem ask Vacuum Man not to come. Dem seh he sucks.

Right now de Americans and de British sending weapons to de Ukraine. But Russia still gat de upper hand.

De West also imposing and increasing sanctions pon Russia. Every two marning is new sanctions.

But is we feeling de squeeze. Now Ukraine seh how dem can’t get to sell dem food. Suh food prices gan increase more.

Dat is more reason why we gat to get a better deal from Exxon. Dem pick we pocket with dah 2%. But it look as if we leaders and nuff ah we people satisfy with dat 2%. It looks as if dem please with we paying Exxon taxes while giving dem generous

concessions.

Nuff ah we want plenty thing. And some ah we feel dat de country awash with money. But 2% can’t stretch far. Suh nah expect too much from de oil revenues! Right now, we gat we own local superhero. We does call he Ironic. He does run away when we need he de most.

People does all join and say, “Isn’t dat Ironic.”

De superheroes willing to help but dem need to see we helping we self fuss.

But unless de people stop getting excited over de 2000 part-time jobs and de couple hundred small business grant and de household and school grants, dem superheroes nah gan want to join de fight fuh a better deal.

Talk half. Leff half.

The Vice President had reminded that because of spending on more big capital projects, the fiscal deficit may widen, but pointed to oil revenues to help address the deficit and reduce financing needs.

He had emphasised also that it is better to use Guyana's own resources, instead of continuing to build up debt unsustainably. With govern-

ment having more access to funds and banks no longer having the ease of lending to the State, the Vice President expected a favourable effect on interest rates, as banks would be a bit more aggressive in seeking people to lend to. This makes up part of the government's strategy to deliver an element of sustainability in finances, the VP had stated.

It was noted that while the withdrawal rule restricts withdrawals from the NRF to deposits made in the previous fiscal year, the first schedule

of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021 allows an exception in the first year, giving the government the latitude to withdraw the total balance in the Fund at once.

The government has also noted that the withdrawal is pertinent to address Guyana's pressing development needs. Based on the fact that oil funds would be lumped in the budget to generally support expenditure, it is not clear whether any of the proposed sums will be used to address the key objectives the IMF pointed Guyana to.

Kaieteur News

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Monday May 30, 02, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

I held an umbrella several times over the heads of Black friends I have no relationship with the PPP leadership and the PPP/C government. But I will not treat the government as if it is not elected. I will not treat the president as someone who is not worthy of national support.

I will speak out against so-called civil society personalities and opposition organs that seek to confront the government solely on the basis of anti-government agenda, anti-PPP instincts, anti-PPP class hatred.

Michael Carrington of the AFC's leadership has been a friend for more than 35 years.

Last year, I asked him why he would not want to work with the PPP/C government. I explained that he was once in a relationship with the PNC so why not the PPP. I enquired of Michael what is so terrible about the PPP and what is so good about the PNC. I put the same question in different form to two executives of the AFC that have left – Trevor Williams

and Audwin Rutherford. If you do not propose this dialogue and engage in such a debate then there could be the imperceptible imprint in the psychology of people who were once in the AFC that the PPP is the bad guy, the PNC is better so let's go with the PNC. The PNC leader recently told the nation that the WPA is about to re-enter the coalition of APNU. When I read that, I asked myself why the WPA cannot join the PPP/C government.

The PNC did not perform from 2015-2020. Evidence of massive corruption and ethnic discrimination has been unearthed. Two of the biggest names in the PNC went to Region Five last year in September and their tsunamic incitement caused raging anti-Indian violence.

What is so bad about the PPP and so good about the PNC that the WPA will return to the fold of APNU but cannot create an alliance with the PPP? These are the types of

questions that need deep reflection. I see nothing wrong with the AFC and WPA preferring to tie bundle with the PNC. My simple question is why the PNC and not the PPP? I will of course have to answer that question if readers ask me. I have answered it in several columns. Before I come to the umbrella incident with James Bond, here is a brief explanation. I will elongate in several forthcoming columns.

The crusade against the PPP government comes from three quarters. The power battle as exemplified by the PNC, the ethnic demand agenda by certain organisations including many trade unions and cultural groups. Next is the class resentment of sections of Guyanese society that want a mainstream middleclass party like the AFC to administer Guyana.

Thirdly, the March 2020 controversy has awakened the Creole middle-class, both

in Guyana and the diaspora, in raging ways. They will not accept the type of people in the PPP to be in charge of Guyana. They will be the most poisonous articulators against PPP's rule.

When you see these sectors acting out their beliefs, you are forced to confront bigotry and venomous propaganda because if you don't, the young people of Guyana stand to lose.

I have already pointed out to the barefaced position of an organisation concerned about election reform on the division of Region Four into four sub-districts that two prominent government critics – Chris Ram and Timothy Jonas – see as a normal administrative issue.

Two incidents recently need to be dealt with by independent minds and decent, patriotic Guyanese

must write on them. When Minister Charles Ramson was accused Frederick Kissoon of saying that African youths do not have role models, there was a volcanic f r iend, an Indian man. He reaction by both the PNC and has been referred to as a house-slave. This is the kind the anti-PPP class haters. of anti-PPP insanity that B u t a P N C exists at the moment in parliamentarian who is a Guyana.

It is pure anti-PPP school teacher was videoed hatred.

I have had an for the world to see calling an African Guyana a house- umbrella held over my head by several Black women on slave.

He was doing his duty of the picket line during rain. I protecting the property of have held an umbrella over parliament but he was told the heads of at least two that he is a house-slave. Black women on the picket Research the newspapers and line. We are in dangerous social media. Those who times in Guyana. I will not condemned Ramson were put down my pen. You should silent. Ramson explained pick up yours to save this what he meant. The PNC country.

(The views expressed in parliamentarian has not done this article are those of the so.

Our local 007, James a u t h o r a n d d o n o t Bond, was seen holding an necessarily reflect the umbrella over the head of his opinions of this newspaper.)

2019 budget cuts hurt Supreme Court - report

In the year 2019, the Supreme Court of Judicature suffered financial setbacks and delays due to a budget cut that reduced its spending power by almost a $1 billion less than what was requested to manage the operations of the judiciary.

According to a report on the Court's expenditure for that year, the Supreme Court submitted a budget proposal for $2, 8 01, 374,000 for both the recurrent and capital development expenditures for consideration. However the budget approved by the National Assembly approved the sum of just $1 850, 404,000. The approved amount represented 20.17 % of the total estimates of approved for constitutional agencies budget 2019.

After carefully reviewing, this lump sum budget, it was a clear that the approved amounts were inadequate to meet the proposed expenditures for employment and other charges cost particularly for employment cost and other charges.

It was due to the retirement of three judges that Supreme Court was able to save on spending on employment cost and uses the funds for other operational matters. The 2019 budget cut came as a result major reduction on spending by the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

A similar occurrence took place in 2018, after the

National Assembly had allocated insufficient funds to pay over 100 Supreme Court employees and to offset other expenses of the judiciary. This was reported in the Judiciary's Annual Report for the year 2018. In fact, the sums that was allocated to the Supreme Court for that year was unable to meet the salary expenses for employees such as: Court Manager, Judicial Research Assistant, A s s is tan t R eg is tr ar, Marshals, Bailiff, Clerk II General, Accounts Clerks, Data Entry Clerks, Legal Clerks, Listing Clerks, Counter Clerks, Vault Attendant, Typist Clerks, Office Assistants, Drivers, Janitor, Cleaners and (Continued on page 16)

Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

Article 13 joins campaign for hike in national minimum wage

Article 13's Yog Mahadeo (left) with GWU President Norris Witter.

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ivil society groupArticle 13 has joined the campaign led by the General Wo r k e r s U n i o n f o r a substantial increase in the National Minimum Wage for private sector workers in Guyana.

The current National Minimum Wage of $255 per hour, $2,040 per day, $10,200 per week or $44,200 per month was set in 2016 and became effective from January 1, 2017. Prior to that date, the National Private Sector Minimum Wage of the equivalent of $202 per day

was set in 2013 and took effect from July 1, 2013.

In a statement on Sunday, the organization said even as a stand-alone number, the national private sector minimum confines those affected groups to a life of poverty for them and their children, which cannot be remedied by any number of hampers or cash grants.

Indeed, by its failure to address the problem of the minimum wage, the Government is effectively subsidising the employers who are relieved of their responsibility to pay their

employees a just wage.

“Article 13 wishes to make it clear: the $60,000 as the new Minimum Wage for the private sector is unacceptable. That figure was agreed three years ago in 2019 but never implemented.

Article 13 calls for an immediate interim increase to $75,000 per month and to $100,000 per month effective January 1, 2023.” The group said a recent Grocery/Market Basket Survey shows a cost of $117,000 per month for a family of five with no frills, no school expenses, no medical expenses and no

Prime suspect remanded to prison for murder of overseas-based Guyanese A barber of Crabwood Creek, Upper Corentyne was charged recently for the murder of overseas-based Guyanese Chatterpaul Lakhan.

Leon Gonsalves called "Never-please" was arrested by ranks from the Major Crimes Unit on the 20th May 2022 for the murder of Lakhan which was committed on the 9th March 2022. Gonsalves appeared at the Springlands Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Alex Moore and was slapped with the charge of murder contrary to common law. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison until May 31 2022 for report.

On16th March 2022, Eon Gonsalves called 'Belly' from Crabwood Creek was charged with murder in the same matter, police were however looking for the

held on Sunday 6th March 2022. However, on Tuesday 8th March 2022, there was a family get together when three men who are not related to the family, entered the yard where the wedding was held (Grant 1802 CWC).

They were however asked to leave after they began using illicit drugs on the premises.

Chatterpaul Lakhan prime suspect who was identified as Leon Gonsalves. 'Belly' will also make his second court appearance on May 31 2022.

Reports from the police had detailed that Lakhan returned to Guyana a week prior to his death to attend his brother's wedding which was

The men reportedly became annoyed and they decided to damage the vehicles that were parked a short distance away. This caused Lakhan and other relatives to venture out and confront the men and an argument erupted. At some point, there was a scuffle and Lakhan was stabbed to the lower abdomen. The men escaped and he was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

rent. With oil production from 2020, Guyana has been reporting phenomenal growth and it is projected that the economy will grow by 47% in 2022. It is clearly unconscionable to expect or doom the workers of this country to bear the burden of the growth which benefits the shareholders of companies, merchants, private schools and hospitals and private businesses.

“Guyanese – all eight hundred thousand of us – have a right to a decent living. The single fundamental right of every person in Guyana set out in Article 40 of the Constitution of Guyana is the enjoyment of “a happy, creative and productive life, free from hunger, ignorance and want...” For all the country's recent and unprecedented economic growth, the achievement of the right - not some vague promise - of Article 40 seems light years away, unrelated to reality.

What makes the Government's inaction on the minimum wage so hard to understand or accept is that the public sector minimum wage is $74,900 per month or

70% above the national minimum wage. Private sector employees go to the same markets and corner shops, need to buy the same products to put food on the table and to send their children to school as do their public-sector counterparts.

The two groups live in the same communities, pay the same mortgages, have the same health challenges and engage in similar expenditure patterns. It can hardly be that private sector workers need less pay than public sector employees. Nor can it be that the private sector is unable to pay a reasonable wage to their employees,' Article 13 said.

According to the group public companies led by the banks, and of which DDL, Banks DIH and Demerara Bank are a good barometer of the performance of the private sector as a whole, have been reporting huge increases in profits. “It is unlikely that anyone would be bold enough to suggest that the public sector is in a stronger financial position than the private sector to pay its workers a proper wage.

Article 13 is aware that many private sector employers pay above the minimum wage and in some cases substantially more. It is not those employees who we are concerned about; it is the exploitation of those employed in sectors, which for all their prominence, operate in the less formal arm of the economy: domestic service, the gas stations, shop owners, bars, restaurants, sawmill workers and those in the hinterland. The tens of thousands of persons who have little choice and who may not be able to find work elsewhere deserve the protection from exploitation.

It is the duty of the Government, the Opposition and the trade unions to make this a central focus until some fairness is achieved. There has been a decade long collective failure on the minimum wage by the Government, the Opposition and the trade union leadership. The General Workers Union therefore deserves credit for its initiative on the National Private Sector Minimum Wage. Article 13 stands with the GWU.”

Carpenter kills engineer, stabs another man with steel rod

A

40-year-old carpenter is now in police custody after he killed an engineer on Sunday and seriously wounding another man.

According to police, the dead engineer has been identified as Neil Rampersaud, 31, of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and the severely wounded man's name was given as Mohan Panchu, 42, also of Better Hope. Investigators reported that the suspect who hails from Plaisance, ECD, allegedly attacked the men around 07:28hrs at Better Hope.

He and Panchu got into an altercation first and it led to him arming himself with a steel rod and stabbing the victim several times about the body. Panchu reportedly had to be rushed for medical attention.

Not long after, reported police, the engineer, Rampersaud decided to confront the suspect before he left the area.

Investigators learnt that Rampersaud told the man that he must go to the police station and turn himself in for wounding.

As a result, they got into an argument during which Rampersaud allegedly lashed the suspect twice. Police stated that the suspect was armed with a “coconut blade at the time and used it to stab the engineer to his chest. Rampersaud was immediately rushed to the hospital by family members but he died while receiving medical attention. Detectives have since arrested the carpenter.

Deceased: Engineer, Neil Rampersaud

Kaieteur News

Monday May 30, 2022

PAGE 13

Pressure mounts on GECOM to launch probe into 2020 polls …Article 13 writes diplomatic community to lend support

By Zena Henry

C

alls have not stopped for a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the conduct of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to explain the atrocities committed during the March 2020 Regional and General Polls that has so far caused five persons to face the courts.

Two years after the contentious election, there seems to be no move by GECOM to probe the events of the five month long process, nor the government to commission a review into the events, despite President Irfaan Ali making that p r o mis e f o llo w in g h is ascension to Head of State.

Prominent Article 13 member, Dr. Yog Mahadeo has once again raised his voice in support of the probe into the 2020 matter, and has also called upon the government to do the same by fulfilling its earlier promise to look into the election fiasco. Dr. Mahadeo is going even further however, as he is currently penning letters to the international community for them to add their voices in lobbying the relevant authorities to have the probe conducted. The international community plays extremely important roles during the election process in many countries. These bodies also mount observer missions that overlook the election process; thus lending to the

The truck that struck down Karan Mahadeo.

Electric biker killed by truck on Mandela Avenue A 67-year-old electric biker of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown was killed on Saturday evening by a truck along Mandela Avenue.

The dead pensioner has been identified as Karan Mahadeo and according to police, they have arrested the 24-year-old- driver of the truck to assist with investigations. Mahadeo was struck down around 18:10hrs.

The driver has alleged that he was driving the truck west along the northern lane of the southern carriageway on Mandela Avenue when Mahadeo suddenly rode into

his path out of the John Fernandes Access Road. He claimed that he applied brakes and tried to swerve away from Mahedeo's electric bike but still ended up hitting him down.

The impact flung Mahadeo onto the road and he remained still. An ambulance from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation was summoned and when it arrived, the Emergency Response Team on board pronounced him dead at the scene. Police have since stated that the 24-yearold driver was not drunk at the time of the accident.

Article 13 member, Dr. Yog Mahadeo idea of transparency. These missions would provide reports and highlight possible inconsistencies during the process. It was the international community that played a crucial role in the 2020 elections when it insisted on credibly declared results through a transparent tabulation process of the disputed Region 4 votes.

Dr. Mahadeo told the Kaieteur News that his letters

In Mon Repos, where accusations of ID card sharing was made, voters engaged in verbal exchanges. to the diplomatic mission would be ready and dispatched within two weeks time. The Article 13 advocate said that there must be a look into the 2020 elections to ascertain how the former GECOM officials were able to allegedly manipulate the system to make false declarations. The ability to manipulate the system “means that there is something wrong with the

system,” he told the newspaper.

Dr. Mahadeo continued that there were allegations made by both sides of the political divide and to just charge some persons, “is simply not enough.” He reminded that some of the inconsistencies included police ranks evacuating the Ashmins Building on High Street where the tabulation process was taking place.

“Who gave those orders?”

Mahadeo questioned. He said that the international community had to knock on a door to access the GECOM Chairwoman, whose presence became limited at one point of the process. He said a list was later put forward purporting the names of dead persons who reportedly voted at the 2020 elections. “Where did that list (Continued on page 15)

West Berbice man kills self after stabbing ex-girlfriend A woman is fighting for her life at the New Amsterdam Hospital after she was stabbed multiple times by an enraged exboyfriend on Saturday.

The man later succumbed at the Fort Wellington Hospital after ingesting a noxious substance.

Injured and in a critical state is Maria Singh called 'Nalo' of Bennet Dam, Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice. The dead man has been identified as 26-year-old Adrian Anthony Persaud, a cane harvester. He died at approximately 00:30 hrs Sunday.

Reports are that on the date in question, at approximately 08:20 hrs, Singh was in the front passenger's seat of a car at the Sheriff Service Station which is situated near the Rosignol Public Road, when Persaud approached

Maria Singh Adrian Persaud her. The man whipped out a knife and dealt her several stabs about her body before running away with the blood-stained weapon in hand. Singh was rushed to t h e F o r t We l l i n g t o n Hospital and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where she was admitted.

Police said the woman sustained a stab wound under her knee, two to her right side breast, one to her thigh and one to her right arm.

The matter was reported to the police shortly after and ranks commenced investigations.

They ventured to the home

of Persaud in search of him and found him lying in the yard vomiting. Near his body was a bottle of noxious substance.

Kaieteur News understands that the two shared a relationship for a year and six months but ended it due to domestic problems.

PAGE 14

Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

Guyanese take advantage of medical outreach …say drugs are expensive, “GPHC pushes you around” A

n Independence Day outreach hosted at Naeem's Soup Kitchen located on Brickdam, Georgetown was not only attended by the homeless persons but also working class Guyanese who spoke about the hassle to access healthcare at the state-run Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Naeem's Kitchen would normally prepare meals for the homeless and the United States' (US) Civil Affairs Team picked the location as an ideal spot to host the outreach.

Kaieteur News was privileged to be on the ground to have a firsthand look of what was going on and found out that among those who attended were persons who took a break from their jobs to benefit from the medical services provided.

Two of them spoke with Kaieteur News and said that after hearing there was a medical outreach there, they rushed down to take advantage of the medical check-ups because medicine at pharmacies are very expensive and if they go to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), “it will be long wait and lots of push around”.

The two individuals were a farmer who wished to identify himself only as “Kemo” of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and a 77-year-old woman (name

Leader of the U.S. Embassy Civil Affairs Team, Kelly McDonald and one of her colleagues (centre) flanked to the left by a volunteer of IOM and to right, by the Head of the Guyana Medical Relief.

A man receiving a haircut at outreach .

A scene from the outreach .

provided).

Kemo said, “Well meh from Mahaica and meh deh in town and then meh hear this place got some doctors that are looking after you here and giving you tablets”.

The farmer continued that

he is happy that he got the opportunity to get a check-up by one of the doctors and added, “Is good that you could get people to come and help out one or two people because yuh know, you can't affford to go buy tablets and

see the doctor (private) and sometime when you go Georgetown Hospital, yuh does get lil push round”. wThe 77-year-old woman related that she has had a problem with her knees for a while now.

“I can't stand up too long; it does start to pain”, she said.

She noted that it is very costly to keep buying the treatment that she needs and is grateful that she was able to cash in on some free medicine on Independence Day. The US team collaborated with the Guyana Medical Relief (GMR), The Central Islamic Organisation Guyana (CIOG), SEWA, the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), Food for the Poor, The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Cancer Society, and Roberto's Barbershop to make the event successful one.

Some of the services provided were free haircuts, free medicine, counseling services, HIV testing, dental check-ups, medical

checkups, clothes for the homeless, baths, manicures, pedicures, etc.

Speaking with Kaieteur News the US Embassy Civil Affairs Team's Leader, Kelly McDonald, said that her team just wanted to give something back to Guyana for Independence day.

She said that the US team's main objective is to provide humanitarian help around the world by going into cities and hinterland regions to see what assistance is needed.

Here in Guyana, according to McDonald, her team is working along with local organisations and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization) to provide humanitarian assistance to Guyanese.

The US Civil Affairs team is planning to host another outreach in June.

Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

Pressure mounts on...

From page 13 come from, who manufactured it?” Mahadeo questioned further. Former Attorney General Basil Williams and former Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, had claimed to have confronted then PPP/C's ECD agent, Anil Nandlall about handing out ID cards at the Mon Repos Market Tarmac. “All these claims should be looked into. Let these persons bring their evidence,” Dr. Mahadeo lamented. He concluded that GECOM itself is independent and has the power to issue its own probe. He said the body does not need permission to launch a COI into its affairs.

Unless there is a COI into the 2020 occurrence, Dr. Mahadeo said it would be the same election system existing with new actors, this time supporting a different governing party. On government's apparent reluctance to host the COI, Dr. Mahadeo asked, “What are they afraid of, what do they have to hide?” He said that since a promise was made to shed light on GECOM's performance, the government must uphold this commitment and remove doubts on whether it too was involved in elections 2020 skullduggery. He reiterated that just charging a few persons is not enough to answer the questions on GECOM's management and efficiency. He said the role of the entire Commission must be assessed and persons charged if there are more contributors to the 2020 fiasco.

Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer

Clairmont Mingo were charged with conspiring to defraud voters at the 2020 elections. They were accused of doing it in favour of the then A Partnership for National unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

Former public Health Minister Volda Lawrence was also charged.

Surprisingly however, it is opposition commissioners at GECOM who seem to be pushing for a probe into the 2020 elections.

Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman had offered publicly proposal for an internal audit of the 2020 polls as part of their contribution to the proposed amendments to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA). Alexander had told the Kaieteur News that the probe would contribute to possible changes that are needed to make the election system stronger.

He said the probe was discussed and agreed to by the Commission, but that action seems to have taken a turn. Alexander said that the response to the probe was that the Commission was too busy with its ongoing registration exercise. Government Commissioner Bibi Shadick did not say whether she supported a 2020 election COI when asked by this newspaper and calls to GECOM chairwoman, Justice Claudette Singh's phone, have gone unanswered in the last two weeks.

The Opposition Commissioners are p r o p o s i n g h o w e v e r, t h a t G E C O M commission the audit to be done by an independent body since the organisation could not investigate itself.

UK slaps 25% tax on oil...

From page 8 the government said a new minimum royalty rate of five percent will replace the old rate of three percent. The move by British Columbia also follows those made by the Joe Biden Administration in 2021. Kaieteur News had reported that oil companies typically have been charged 12.5 percent the value of oil and gas extracted from onshore leases, under a rate dating to the 1920s. For offshore leases, royalty rates have ranged recently from 12.5 percent to 18.75 percent. But the Biden administration has ordered that these rates be

increased.

In Guyana, current and future generations are shackled to a two percent royalty and a host of other debilitating provisions in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), which the government insists it has shown no interest in amending. It has affirmed that sanctity of contract must be maintained, least Guyana scares away valuable investors like ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation and CNOOC, the partners running rapid oil development projects in the Stabroek Block.

PAGE 15

52 new COVID-19 cases, three persons in ICU The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday reported 52 new COVID-19 cases and that there are three patients still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

According to its daily reporting, the ministry said too that the new cases now bring the total number of cases in Guyana

to 64,617.

The updated dashboard, also states that 24 persons are in institutional isolation, four are quarantined institutionally and 624 are in home isolation.

To date, a total 62,733 persons have recovered from the virus.

PAGE 16

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Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

Female for general domestic with cooking skills, age 2545yrs. Contact: 652-9616.

1 planner/moulder operator,1 woodmizer operator. Contact:264-2524.

Driver salesman & porters, attractive salary. Call:6611000.

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One experienced female Sales Clerk. Tel: 225-2313, 226-1497 One head cook,one assistant cook.Tel: 687-8709. Email: thepizzaboy @gmail. com

Improvements to TT’s trade environment underway with CDB & EU support May 28, 2022, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: The private sector in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) will see improvements in the trading environment as a result of three new trade initiatives underway at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and its agencies.

The MTI has accessed assistance from the EPA and CSME Standby Facility for Capacity Building, which is managed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with European Union (EU) funding, to establish an online focal point for trade queries, build the capacity of local entrepreneurs, and also generate new trade opportunities and build networks within select markets in Europe.

These projects will increase efficiency and communication among state agencies and improve revenue

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generation in smaller, exportoriented businesses.

Daniel Best, CDB’s Director of Projects, speaking at the project launch on May 27, outlined the potential im-

pact on the economic and social resilience of T&T’s citizens adding that “the Bank remains committed to assisting Trinidad and Tobago with the acceleration of its economic development through planning, programme development and institutional support.

This is one of many interventions in the pipeline for the country.” CDB is partnering with Trinidad and Tobago’s Government across sectors integrating trade facilitation measures in its programming to increase employment and revenue and reduce poverty in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

MSMEs, women led businesses and export focused enterprises are specifically targeted with over TTD4Mn in grant funding from the Standby Facility.

This, the EU projects, will positively impact development objectives and the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

According to Ambassador Peter Cavendish, Head of the EU Delegation in Trinidad and Tobago, the EU has made significant and strategic investments in the region fo-

cused on development.

“EU funds are being used to equip producers to meet international standards in food safety, technical regulations for goods, improving the capacity of manufacturers to access new markets, and improving the regulatory environment for business and improving the customs and trade facilitation process” he stated.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago sees the interventions as worthwhile contributors to national development priorities focused on building competitive-

ness and expanding and strengthening the private sector. Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, ind i-

cated that Fit for Europe II’s implementation would have a ripple effect through the economy beyond job creation also increasing exports to the EU while the creation of the digital trade enquiry point would highlight the priority placed by the state on fulfilling its international obligations.

The Minister emphasized that “the Ministry of Trade and Industry remains committed to its core responsibility which is to grow trade, business and investment particularly through driving the nonenergy sectors of the economy.”

Minister of Planning and

Development the Honourable Pennelope Beckles intimated that “both projects will invaluable and critical to the improvement of trade facilitation and export growth development, which are pivotal pillars of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy.”

CARIFORUM Deputy Programme Manager, Yvanette Baron-George who also spoke at the launch lauded the Government for its efforts to fulfil its international obligations, create opportunities and improve the trading environment.

The projects - the Establishment of a Trade Facilitation Enquiry Point for Trinidad and Tobago and Developing the Export Readiness of Trinidad and Tobago Companies for the European Union (EU) Market (Fit 4 Europe II) are being executed by the MTI and state export promotion agency exporTT. The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) is implementing the third project which was launched in 2021.

The Standby Facility is a EUR 8.75 million resource managed by CDB which

offers opportunities to 15 Caribbean economies to grow trade, deepen integration and economic involvement, impact competitiveness, market access and exports by implementing targeted projects in thematic areas.

Gun, scissors seized at 'Stink n Dutty' ...

From page 2 name is Kevaun Douglas.

While performing his fourth song called “Protocol”, things got out-of hand.

It was while Skeng was singing – “Protocol we have 100 strap (guns) Mally (molly – a laboratory-made drug said to produce a “high” similar to

the stimulants called amphetamines) get pap whole

place get hot rinse out everything outta de Glock (a 9MM pistol) hallow-point

(bullet) dat a lodge up in a bwoy head back,” –gunshots were fired into the air from among the hundreds of patrons.

At first, the shots did not grasp much attention but when it started to rain bottles from the skies, everyone realised that something was very wrong.

The crowd started to scatter, while others screamed in panic and the rest ran for cover.

2019 budget cuts hurt Supreme Court From page 10 vacancies advertised in the newspapers to be filled, a Driver Mechanic, Judicial Research Assistants, Deputy Registrar, Communication & Protocol Officer, Research Librarian and Assistant Librarians.

According to the report, there was also a shortfall to

meet benefits and allowances for duty, traveling, telephone and house allowances for: Administrative Assistant, Principal Clerk of Court, Clerk of Court I, Clerk of Courts II, Research Librarian, Legal Clerk and Court Manager and Other di-

rect labour cost – responsibility allowance for Chief Accountants and non-taxable duty allowance for new drivers.

The allocated sums was also unable to meet the statutory wages and salaries for temporary appointment of two Justices of Appeals for six months period, permanent appointment of one Puisne Judges, salary in lieu of leave for the Honourable Chancellor (ag) two months, Chief Justice (ag) one month and two Puisne Judges one month each.

The money was also insufficient to meet statutory

benefits and allowances for payment of NIS, house, duty, commuted, chauffeur, entertainment and chauffeur gratuity allowances, internet, telephone, fuel and repairs to state vehicle assigned charges.

To also purchase small bottle water and monthly refreshments for Chambers of two Justices of Appeal and

one Puisne Judge to meet shortfall in other charges expenditures for the payment of additional expenses incurred for the opening and continued functioning of the Rupununi Magisterial District.

Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

Americas has a shortfall of 600,000 health professionals, affecting access to health in rural and underserved areas Geneva, Switzerland, May 27, 2022- The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, said today that the deficit in the health workforce in the Americas reaches 600,000 professionals, something that affects access to care, especially for those in rural and underserved areas of the region.

During the deliberations of the 2022-2030 Action Plan “Working for Health” at the 75th World Health Assembly, Etienne acknowledged “the enormous sacrifice and contribution of health workers in the Americas” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The unwavering resilience of our health workers is a testimony to their commitment to serve, save lives and ensure health for all,” she said.

The PAHO Director noted that during the peaks of the pandemic, “task shifting and task sharing saved lives,” and that “patient care delivery was facilitated by digital transformation.”

In that regard, she commented that PAHO, through its Virtual Campus for Public Health, trained more than 900,000 health workers in the

control and management of COVID-19, health services continuity, and vaccine deployment during the pandemic.

However, Etienne said, “we can no longer ignore long-standing deficiencies in health systems,” which impact the capacity of the health workforce to provide quality, uninterrupted care.

Among the deficiencies, Etienne cited the migration of health workers to urban centers or wealthier countries exacerbating the gap-; lack of planning between the Education and Labor sectors; and insufficient emphasis on interprofessional and ongoing education.

Among the effects of COVID-19, a WHO study estimated that around 115,000 health workers died between January 2020 and May 2021 worldwide.

“Investing in health systems and a fit-for-purpose health workforce constitutes a priority for the Americas,” she remarked, adding that PAHO looks forward to working with Member States, partners and WHO in developing “a transformative agenda in human resources for health in the Americas.”

PAGE 17

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Kaieteur News

Monday May 30, 2022

Kaieteur News

Monday May 30, 2022

PAGE 19

Port Mourant family in financial crisis after stabbing incident leaves main breadwinner bedridden

A

family of lot 27 Port Mourant, East Berbice Corentyne is struggling to make ends meet and is seeking the assistance from the general public as their situation has worsened even since the main breadwinner has been been left paralysed back in April.

Seenarine Dhanai, 36 who has been the sole breadwinner for his wife Sadna Kesso, 32 and their three children has been left bedridden and unable to provide for his family following an incident.

Dhanai disclosed that he was stabbed by an overseas-based Guyanese who was attending a wedding, which his brother was hosting on April 18 2022.

Recounting what took place on the day in question, Dhanai said he was helping out at the wedding when his attacker approached him with some friends requesting food, after receiving it, they asked him to join them where they were imbibing a n d h e a g r e e d . "...me give them the food and then me deh gaff lil bit with them.

Then he (attacker) tell me how me brother want give he beer fa drink, so me mek a joke and tell he how he come from foreign and that if the beer a run out, he suppose to nice up the things and how he getting on like a pussy so..."

Having said this, Dhanai said the man appeared to be visibly angered by his words and the man took the beer bottle, which he was holding and smashed it across his (Dhanai) head. He then used the broken bottle and dealt him a stab to his knee, causing him to collapse and become unconscious.

At some point, he was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital because he regained consciousness at the hospital. There he was treated with several stitches, given medication

The wound to Seenarine Dhanai's leg.

Seenarine Dhanai has been confined to bed since the incident.

Seenarine Dhanai is seeking assistance from members of the public and sent away. However, there was a swelling in his leg that developed two days later and it forced him to return to the said medical institution but then doctors told him and his wife that the leg would have to be amputated. He was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

There, he underwent two surgeries and spent close to a month in recovery but his situation only appeared to be getting worse since he was told by medical professionals that he would be on bed rest for some six months and after that he would need to go through therapy.

But despite the small glimmer of hope that he may be able to be back on his feet again in the future, the situation at home has become dire since he has been confined to his bed. With his wife taking care of him full time, there is no steady income coming into the home and their children have not been able to

attend school. One of which, will write the National Grade Six Assessment soon. “If me want something, somebody got to deh hand and foot and give me because the doctor say if me put pressure pon the foot and the knee slip out again, me go got to do surgery and start all over. Me family a suffer because of me," he stressed.

Kaieteur News was told that after the stabbing a report was filed at the Whim Police Station and information was provided to the

police that the attacker is scheduled to fly out the next day. However, they were told by the police that because it is not a murder, they cannot intervene and intercept him at the airport and take him into custody.

The attacker returned overseas a day after the incident but since then, Dhanai's wife said that they have been cyber-bullied by the attacker's relatives with claims that they have been supporting them since the incident. Dhanai and his wife have denied that they received

any assistance from the attacker a n d h i s r e l a t i v e s .

Dhanai and his wife have expressed that they are open to anyone willing to assist them during this difficult time and at the same time, they are also hoping that justice can be served.

Persons willing to assist the couple can contact them on numbers 653-3788 or 653-3788.

Police sources have since indicated that the matter is currently before the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Dr. Ramsundar Doobay passes on

T

he Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) join the medical fraternity in extending deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Dr. Ramsundar Doobay who passed away on Sunday.

In a statement GPHC said, Dr. Doobay was an esteemed practitioner who served the GPHC for almost 50 years, making indelible contributions to medical practice during his tenure – his passing is a grave loss for our nation. “In 1968, a young Dr. Doobay began his career at the GPHC as a medical intern.

“Doobs” as he was affectionately called, quickly became a household name as he treated patients, taught and mentored young practitioners and contributed to the development of medical protocols and policies in Guyana.”

According to the hospital, over the years, his alacrity and brilliance would see him ascend to the head of Internal Medicine and acting Director of Medical and Professional

Services before moving on in 2016, but it was Dr. Doobay's humility and inimitable sense of humour that etched a lasting impression in the hearts and minds of those who had the honour of meeting and working with him.

“As we grieve this loss of a medical stalwart, the GPHC reflects on the immeasurable impact Dr. Ramsundar Doobay made to countless lives including his patients and colleagues among whom he continued to be respected and greatly loved.

Guyana's medical fraternity, including some of its most remarkable practitioners can be credited to the teaching, guidance and legacy of Dr. Ramsundar Doobay – we have lost one of our very best. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Doobay's family, friends and loved ones at this very difficult time.”

One of the indelible images in many persons' memories of GPHC is walking into the medicine wards and seeing a simple, unassuming man finding a corner of a patient's bed to tuck himself in, sitting, talking to the patient, assuring the patient and teaching doctors. Dr. Ramsundar Doobay

was a fixture at the GPHC for more than fifty years. After today, that image will always only be our memory. GPHC will never be the same with Dr. Doobay no longer among us.

For its part, the Ministry of Health said the news that Dr. Ramsundar Doobay, MBBS, MRCP passed has been received with absolute shock and sadness. “Although the Ministry has known about his battle with his ailment for several months now, we were still unprepared and still shocked by the news of his death.

We express our profound condolences to his family and friends and stand ready to support them in their loss. The truth is that the loss of Dr. Ramsundar Doobay is a loss for Guyana and all Guyanese. As we grieve and mourn his death, we feel a sense of absolute loss,” the ministry said.

The ministry said Dr. Doobay was gifted with an intellect that was the envy of many.

“He was brilliant. But he remained at all times a simple, humble gentleman. His sense of humour was unique. Most of his students and many patients saw a stern, serious person

Dr. Ramsundar Doobay but he was gentle, caring and funny. Few could tell a joke without changing their demeanour. His expressions never changed whether he was making a serious statement or making a joke. For a man who was so funny, he was also a man of few words, always cool and collective, rarely ruffled.”

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Monday May 30, 2022

Monday May 30, 2022

French Open: Teenagers Gauff and Fernandez into Roland Garros last eight Teenagers Coco Gauff and Leylah Fernandez claimed impressive wins to reach the French Open quarter-finals.Canada’s Fernandez made the last eight at Roland Garros for the first time with a battling victory over Amanda Anisimova.The 2021 US Open runner-up, 19, beat the American 6-3 4-6 6-3.

Meanwhile, Gauff, 18, edged a tight first set against Elise Mertens before blowing the Belgian away in the second to triumph 6-4 6-0.

The American progresses to the quarter-finals in Paris for the second successive year, equalling her best run at

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Kaieteur News

a Grand Slam, and will next face compatriot Sloane Stephens.“I just tell myself to fight for every point - pressure is a privilege and I used to focus too much on results but this Slam I am having the most fun that I ever have had at a tournament,” Gauff said in her on-court interview.

Former US Open champion Stephens, 29, has dropped to 64th in the world rankings but won 19 points in a row as she dismantled Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann 62 6-0 in just an hour and five minutes.Fernandez, the 17th seed, had to fight far harder for her victory, forced into a

Leylah Fernandez was runner-up to Britain’s Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open. deciding set by 27th seed Anisimova.“It was a very complicated match - Amanda is a very good player but I was happy to win,” said Fernandez, who lost to Britain’s Emma Raducanu in her first Grand Slam final in New York last September.

She will face Martina

Monday May 30, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may find yourself taking the high road today, Aries. Maybe you're even further aloft than that, like a bird soaring above the landscape.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you'll feel as though your energy has come home, Taurus. Living in lockdown has played into your tendency to hide at home when you aren't feeling 100 percent yourself.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your wacky personality will be appreciated today, Gemini, but don't take it too far. Leave room for seriousness to enter the picture. There's a dreamy, cloudy sensation to the day that might make it difficult for you to concentrate on any one thing.

CANCER(June21–July22) Try to feel at ease today, Cancer. Remember that inner peace is a big part of your health, and maintaining that baseline is critical during a pandemic.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) It may be hard to find answers today, Leo. It may also be hard for you to get your point across, especially since everyone's head is in the clouds. Don't be surprised if your own head takes a trip up there as well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) TThis is your day, Virgo. You may find that people gravitate to you for advice and support. They're apt to lower their guard and more openly accept things you believe in.

Conversations could lead to more spiritual topics, and before you know it

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It's important for you to be extra cautious today, Libra.

If you absolutely must go out, make sure you're calm and collected before getting behind the wheel of a car.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may not want to admit something today, Scorpio, although you know it's true. It becomes more obvious than you think if you're hiding behind a barrier that has formed between you and someone close to you.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Like playing a game of chess, think carefully about your next move, Sagittarius.

Maybe your opponent is taking a long time to make their next move. If you let impatience force your hand, you could make your decision too hastily.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Come out of your shell today, Capricorn. You'll notice that people are much more sensitive to your feelings because they seem to be more emotional themselves.

Communication is likely to occur more through unspoken channels than traditional methods.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may feel a bit restless, Aquarius, because you feel something brewing but can't identify it yet. This energy is like a river rushing below while you stand on a bridge.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you woke up this morning and just wanted to stay in bed rather than start your day, know that you aren't alone, Pisces.

Trevisan for a semi-final spot following the unseeded Italian’s 7-6 (12-10) 7-5 win over Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.The 28-year-old Italian broke out into a broad smile at match point.

“I know that it’s weird that I was smiling but you know it helped me a lot during the moment of [needing to have] more patience and [feeling] more nervous,” Trevisan said after making the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the second time.

Teams honour medical workers...

From page 25 Foster, in remarks congratulated the awardees on a job well done and stated that the RHTYSC and its cricketers were honoured to recognise their services to Berbicians in general.

He noted that the law enforcement officers were all positive role models to youths in the Rose Hall Town area and called on them to uphold the image of the Guyana Police Force. He expressed thanks to them for allowing residents of the township to sleep in relative peace at nights and also for the current low crime rate in Guyana's smallest town. The awardees - Constable Roger Saunders, Constable 24973 Coleen Ayling, Special Woman Constable Marcilla Profitt and Constable 25105 Kevin Tyndall were selected by the management of the Rose Hall Town Police Out-

post and the club.

At Port Mourant, the teams honored four medical workers who were specially selected by the hospital management based on their hard work and dedication. Those honoured were Abdool Kadir - Porter, Teola Gonsalves James - Lab Technician, Verona Campbell - Pharmacy Dept and Venelli Brewster Nursing Assistant.

Foster stated that the award was launched five years ago when he was a patient at the Port Hospital and was very impressed with the high professional attitude of the management and staff. He stated that over the years the RHTYSC has developed a very close working relationship with the hospital and has made several donations to the institution.

Regional Health Officer expressed thanks to the cricket teams and Foster for recognising the performance of the workers and called for more organisations to follow in their footsteps. She praised the positive effort of the Port Mourant staff and the effect they were having on the lives of residents in the area. Each of the awardees received a plaque, medal of excellence, framed certificate of excellence and four special gifts that included a Namilco Thunderbolt Flour hamper.

The teams would soon join hands with their other counterparts from the Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermediate teams , Metro Females team to honour teachers, retired educators, firemen and post office workers under the massive tribute to heroes programme.

Among the players in the Namilco Thunderbolt Flour teams are Kevin Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Shawn Perriera, Slyus Tyndall, Keon Sinclair, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia, Mahendra Gopilall, Christopher Deroop and Assad Fudadin.

Grimmond leads...

From page 24 when she bowled Sarah Amin (09) and had Melanie Dover caught for 10.

The Berbicians continued to keep on the pressure as they picked up wickets at regular intervals.

Demerara were eventually bowled out for 87 in 18.1 overs. Naomi Barkoye was left not out on 10 as Darshanie Subramanie claimed 3-3, Hardat had 2-9 and Grimmond bagged 2-10.

Grimmond eventually named player of the match for her performance.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Monday May 30, 2022

Gervonta Davis, left, after knocking down Rolando Romero during the sixth round. (AP)

Davis regains lightweight title after brutal stoppage (The Guardian) Gervonta Davis regained his knockout power and retained his lightweight title on Saturday night, stopping Rolando Romero in the sixth round.

Davis landed a crushing left hand and Romero fell forward into the ropes. He struggled and got up but was clearly shaken and referee David Fields ended the fight.

“The crazy thing is that I didn't even throw it that hard.

He just ran into it,” Davis said.

Davis (27-0, 25 KOs) had to go the distance in his last win for only the second time in his career, and Romero had said before the fight that the three-division champion was vulnerable.

If Davis was, it wasn't for long. He appeared to hurt his left hand on a punch in the fifth round, but there was nothing wrong with it in the next.

Shortly after he left the ring, many fans attempting to depart Barclays Center ran back in toward the arena floor, some even leaping up into the ring in panic after there was a loud noise outside an exit. Security held some fans in one area for a

time until it was deemed safe to leave.

A New York City police spokesman told the Associated Press that the noise outside the arena was a “loud disturbance,” and said there was no shooting. The spokesman said there was reports of some minor injuries due to the commotion.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka was among the frantic fans at B a r c l a y s C e n t e r. S h e tweeted that she was “petrified.”

“I heard shouting and saw people running, then we were being yelled at that there was an active shooter and we had to huddle in a room and close the doors, I was so fucking petrified man,” the four-time grand slam champion tweeted. A short time later, she added: “I really hope everyone made it out safely, since I'm tweeting this we made it out ok.”

Romero lost for the first time in 15 pro fights, but wasn't done talking after doing so much of it in the weeks leading up to the fight.

In fact, he wants another one.

“I won all six rounds,” Romero said. “I won every moment of that fight, I

exposed him and we need to run that [fight] back.”

It was an electrifying end to the return of big-time boxing in Brooklyn, where Davis won his first title in 2017. He drew an arenarecord 18,970 for this fight, with the first big card at Barclays Center since before the pandemic began two years ago.

Romero had repeatedly boasted he would knock out Davis in one round, but the only meaningful punches in the first three minutes were landed during a fight in the stands. He did score well with some shots in the second, but then lost a chance to follow up when he shoved Davis to the canvas as they clenched.

The fight was fairly even through four rounds and Davis appeared to be on his way to his most dominant round in the fifth when the Baltimore native suddenly grimaced though said afterward his hand wasn't hurt. Whatever the problem was didn't last very long.

“I didn't even throw it that hard and he's the one who ran into it, when he was talking that it was going to be me,” Davis said.

Kaieteur News

Monday May 30, 2022

PAGE 23

Monaco Grand Prix: Perez wins chaotic wet-dry race after Schumacher crash (BBC Sport) - Sergio Perez won an incidentpacked, wet-dry Monaco Grand Prix after his Red Bull team outfoxed rivals Ferrari.

The Mexican rose from third to the lead during a part of the race in wet conditions after the start was delayed for an hour after a downpour of rain.

Red Bull's strategy also vaulted Max Verstappen from fourth to third, behind Ferrari's Carlos Sainz but ahead of the Dutchman's title rival Charles Leclerc.

As a result, Verstappen extended his championship lead to nine points.

Perez, meanwhile, is only six points behind Leclerc, after a strong weekend in which he outpaced Verstappen in qualifying and

drove superbly in the race to deliver on Red Bull's improvisational strategy calls.

After the race, Ferrari lodged protests against both Perez and Verstappen on the basis that they crossed the white line on the exit of the pit lane after their second pit stops.If they are upheld, the Red Bull drivers' results are under threat.

Leclerc, so outstanding in taking pole position on Saturday, was left ruing strategy blunders by Ferrari as he saw a comfortable lead turn into fourth place within the space of just four laps.

After the race was redflagged for a second time after 30 laps because of a heavy crash by Mick Schumacher's Haas at the

Swimming Pool section of the track, Leclerc asked whether they would run to the end from their current positions.

When told they would, knowing the difficulty of overtaking in Monaco, Leclerc, voice heavy with sarcasm, said: "Oh, perfect."

At the end, he said over the team radio: "No words.

The season is long, but we cannot do that."The top four were nose to tail for the final 10 minutes - as the delayed race had to be called after 64 of the scheduled 77 laps because of time restrictions in the rules - but Perez held on from Sainz, Verstappen and Leclerc.

The start of the race was delayed by one hour five minutes after a downpour

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner pours sparkling wine over race winner Red Bull's Sergio Perez on the podium alongside third placed Red Bull's Max Verstappen. shortly before the scheduled start.There were questions as to whether it could have begun in the conditions existing at the scheduled start time.

But once it had been delayed, the FIA had its

hands tied, as a heavy downpour started about 15 minutes later and made the track unsafe for racing.

There were questions also as to whether the FIA waited too long to restart the race, and also whether the

second red flag for Schumacher's incident was necessary.What's next is a two-week break before two races in quick succession - a brutal 'double-header', first in Baku in Azerbaijan and then Montreal in Canada.

Pandya leads debutants Gujarat Titans to dream title 2022 TATA Indian Premier League…

(ESPN Cricinfo) - Captain Hardik Pandya starred with the ball and bat to lead Gujarat Titans to IPL glory, in front of a home crowd of over 100000 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

After losing the toss on the same pitch that was used for the second qualifier on Friday, Hardik ripped through Royals' line-up by dismissing Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer in a spell of 4-0-17-3.

The damage proved irreparable, especially for a line-up that had R Ashwin, Riyan Parag, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Prasidh Krishna and Yuzvendra Chahal from Nos. 6 to 11.Royals took out Wriddhiman Saha and Matthew Wade early in their defence of 130, but Hardik, the batter, stopped them in their tracks, with 34 off 30 balls. Chahal snagged Hardik in the 14th over, with Titans 45 away from victory, but Shubman Gill and David Miller coolly finished the job that Hardik had started in grand style.

The Royal slowdown…

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Royals' powerplay dasher, needed eight balls to get off the mark on Sunday.

When Mohammed Shami erred full, Jaiswal pumped him down the ground and over extra-cover for boundaries. Yash Dayal, however, had him hauling a pull to deep square leg for 22 off 16 balls.

As for Buttler, he dawdled to 10 off 14 balls in the powerplay, and struggled to hit a higher gear throughout his 35-ball stay. The slowdown from the openers forced Samson to take risks at the other

Gujurat Titans celebrate their title triumph.

end. After hitting two fours in his first three balls, the second via a fumble, Samson shaped to line-up Hardik's hard length, only to sky a catch to Sai Kishore at backward point.

Hardik's masterclass…

Hardik continued to pound the hard lengths and ensured that Devdutt Padikkal couldn't score a single run off the bat against him from seven balls. Something had to give and that something was Padikkal throwing his bat at Rashid Khan and swishing a catch to backward point for 2 off 10 balls.

Buttler threatened to break free with back-to-back fours off Shami in the tenth over, but Hardik had

him limply guiding a catch to the keeper for 39 soon after. Hardik wasn't done yet with the ball. He capped his spell by having Hetmyer plopping a return catch for 11 off 12 balls. In more encouraging signs for India, Hardik bowled without the fear of injury and even let rip bouncers at speed north of 140kph.

Sai Kishore fronts up to bowl at the death…

Hardik, the captain, didn't miss a beat either. Once the left-handed pair of Padikkal and Hetmyer were dismissed, Hardik introduced Sai Kishore into the attack. Fronting up to bowl the 16th and 18th overs, the left-arm fingerspinner responded with the wickets Ashwin and Boult.

Sai Kishore had entered the tournament with the reputation of being one of the most economical bowlers in T20 cricket. He ended the tournament with an enhanced reputation and back-to-back IPL titles.

Miller, Gill bring Titans home…

The only way for Royals to claw their way back into the game was to make early inroads. Prasidh and Boult did that, getting rid of Saha and Wade respectively to leave Titans wobbling at 23 for 2 in the fifth over.

Gill could've also been dismissed in the powerplay had Chahal held onto a catch at short

square leg. Gill, who was on zero at that point, pressed on to score an unbeaten 45 off 43 balls. It was Hardik, though, who put Titans' chase back on track when he hit three boundaries in seven balls after being on 11 off 17 balls.

When Chahal coaxed an outside edge from Hardik, he snatched the purple cap from fellow legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga. Miller, however, laid into Royals' attack and gave Titans' first IPL campaign a rousing finish.

Match details: Gujarat Titans 133 for 3 (Gill 45*, Hardik 34, Boult 1-14) beat Rajasthan Royals 130 for 9 (Buttler 39, Hardik 3-17, Sai Kishore 2-20) by seven

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Jai Hindley is first Australian to win Giro d'Italia (BBC Sport) - Jai Hindley became the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia as the 26-year-old eased home on the finalstage time-trial.

Hindley, who had lost the 2020 race on the finalday time trial, had snatched the pink jersey and an 85second lead from Richard Carapaz on Saturday.

Ecuador's Carapaz went out hard but could not strike back on the individual race against the clock in Verona.

"It's a beautiful feeling.

A lot of emotions out there," Hindley said.

"I had in the back of my mind what happened in 2020 and I wasn't going to let that happen again, to be honest. To take the win is really incredible."I was getting updates and I felt pretty good on the bike. I didn't feel like I was fighting it and I knew it was a decent ride."Spaniard Mikel Landa took the final spot on the overall podium behind Hindley and Carapaz, ahead of two-time Giro champion Vincenzo Nibali in fourth, riding his final Giro at the age of 37.

Matteo Sobrero of

Hindley won a solitary stage - day nine - on his way to his first Grand Tour title. (Getty Images)

BikeExchange-Jayco ensured there was an Italian stage winner to sign off on this year's race, with a time of 22 minutes 24.54 seconds on the 17.4km course.

It brought to an end an eventful edition of the Giro...Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay predicted before making his Grand Tour debut that becoming the first black African to win a stage in one of the big three multiday races would be "the greatest moment".

The 22-year-old did not have to wait long to find out if such an achievement lived

up to his expectations.

On stage 10, he survived nearly missing a turning in the final stages, as well as a late sprint by Mathieu van der Poel, to take the day's honours in Jesi.

Girmay did not get a chance to add further wins, however.The cork from his bottle of podium prosecco hit him in the eye, forcing his retirement from the race the following morning.

No permanent damage was done, however, so we should see plenty more of him - and his noisy support in the seasons to come.

Monday May 30, 2022

Grimmond leads Berbice Women to GCB/Inter County U-19 T20 glory

Realeanna Grimmond accepts the player of the match prize from Anthony D' Andrade.

A

commendable all-round performance by Realeanna Grimmond guided Berbice Women Under-19 to a 99-run victory over Demerara Women when the teams collided in the final of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Female U19 Inter County T20 Tournament, yesterday.

Berbice opted to bat at the Everest Cricket Club and posted a challenging 182-1.

They were handed a solid start by Tia Issacs and Grimmond.

The opening pair set the tone for a huge total as they added 107 before Issacs was removed by Ciana Barkoye for 31 with four fours off 48

balls. Grimmond and Ashmini Munisar continued to pile on the runs as they put on an unbroken second wicket stand of 75.

Grimmond struck 13 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 91 off 63 balls while Munisar made 30 not out with three fours and one six off 18 balls. Barkoye had 1-37.

Demerara were put on the back-foot early in the chase as Trisha Hardat made inroads, uprooting the stumps of Areah Ally (00) and had Alimah Eastman (02) lbw to reduce Demerara to 18-2.

Grimmond further pegged back the scoring (Continued on page 21)

Berbice Captain, Ashmini Munisar, receives the winning trophy from Andre Percival.

Kaieteur News

Monday May 30, 2022

GFF/Blue Water officially launch U-15 Girls' Development League

T

he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) and Blue Water Shipping officially launched Guyana's first U15 national league for girls on Saturday, with a football festival for participating girls and the distribution of equipment at the GFF National Training Centre.

The new league will provide a crucial stepping stone in the development of young talent for Guyana's female national teams, rapidly accelerate participation among girls in

PAGE 25

GFF and Blue Water representatives along with the future participants of the league celebrate the launch.

football across the country, and provide opportunities for more coaches and match officials.

Alongside a football festival featuring some of the girls that will star in the competition, the GFF's regional associations also received footballs and equipment to support the implementation of the league, as part of the GFF's Member Financial Assistance Programme (MFAP).

“We are creating history,” said GFF President Wayne Forde. “Over the next few

Girls participate in the launch festival of the GFF-Blue Water Shipping Girls' U-15 National Development League.

months, for the first time, we will see thousands of girls in the U15 category learning the fine art of football.”

“We want these girls to be in football, not just to play, but because many valuable life skills will be learned through this experience,” Forde added.

“They will learn to be a team player, they will learn to win and to lose, they will learn to respect authority and they will develop new friendships.

They will become part of the football community for the rest of their lives.”

Blue Water Shipping Country Manager Richard

DeNobrega said he knew the girls taking part in the tournament would do the nation proud, with some likely to represent Guyana in the future.

“What we want, in partnering w i t h t h e Federation, is to encourage the team spirit of football and to inspire these young ladies to make our country even better than it already is,” DeNobrega said.

President Forde revealed the competition will stretch beyond the GFF's nine regional associations, with an edition taking place in Region 1.

“It is important that we realise our responsibility to make football accessible to all Guyana,” Forde said. “We will have Blue Water U15 leagues across the entire 83,000 square miles of thenation.

This is the mandate we have from FIFA and Blue Water, as our enduring partner, is giving us the necessary support we need to deliver on this mandate.”

“Thank you to the management of Blue Water Shipping – the investment you are making in these young women's lives will pay dividends for many years to come,” he concluded.

RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Tribute to Heroes Programme…

Teams honour medical workers and law enforcement The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) MS Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under-21 and first division teams last weekend honored a combined eight law

enforcement officers and medical workers under the RHTYSC Tribute to Heroes programme.The teams led by Kevlon Anderson and Jonathan Rampersaud,

Awardees of the Tribute to Medical Workers programme poses with Dr. Sharma, Head of Port Mourant Hospital, Dr. G Sukhdeo, along with RHTYSC's Hilbert Foster.

respectively, has a mandate from club management to host a total of forty personal self development programmes under a wide range of sub headings including sports,

public health, awards, educational, community development and youth development. Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert (Continued on page 21)

Awardees of the Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers.

Grimmond leads Berbice Women to GCB/Inter County U-19 T20 glory

The victorious Berbice Team

ts r o p S

Pandya leads debutants Gujarat Titans to dream title 2022 TATA Indian Premier League…

The Gujarat Titans are the 2022 TATA IPL Champions.

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