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Sunday Edition Worldwide NEWS protests against the slaughter of …Israel kills 11,000 people in 34 days, Palestinians including more than 4,500 children

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November 12, 2023

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Almost four years since first oil...

Guyana delays purchase of US$200K oil meters to monitor ExxonMobil's daily production - but spends US$11.5M to buy boat to protect company's operations

Public servants salary increases do not match world's fastest growing economy - GTUC Jagdeo accuses City Hall of no transparency in tax waivers to locals but fails to address oil companies $Billions tax giveaways - PNC

How ExxonMobil brazenly abused Guyana’s oil profits

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456 Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Self-interest beats sisterhood The regional cardsharps are being exposed, and the cards that they have up their sleeves have slipped onto the table. CARICOM was supposed to be about this one big happy family, one leader even calling the Guyanese head of state her “brother.” Apparently, the realities of national considerations make oil and gas thicker than blood. There was strength and fire from the leaders of regional neighbors during Guyana’s tumultuous 2020 elections, with loud sounds of unswerving dedication to principle heard. All of that seems to have gone underground because self-interests now trump sisterhood.

CARICOM made its position clear and early: it is for Guyana in the matter of its border controversy with Venezuela. For whatever reason that does not seem to have gone down well with a few leaders that are part of the regional body. There is what gnaws at the edges, and though no leader has come right out and taken a position that clashes with that of CARICOM’s, there has been nibbling at the edges. What embarrasses (them not us) is that the more that regional leaders geographically closest to Guyana play games with words, the more they look unimpressive.

The genuine stand with friends and family when they are in the right. Guyana is in the right, and hugely so, in its border controversy with Venezuela. Regardless of how much Venezuelan leaders network with other Caribbean leaders, regardless of what promises were made, or what quid pro quos have been worked out, Guyana is in the right, and that unwavering ground is unbreachable. It would have been helpful, definitely conducive to mutually rewarding relationships, in times ahead, if our friends and neighbors in the region did not see it fit to split hairs, and to try to please both Guyana and Venezuela with the schemes percolating in their minds.

Trinidadians and Barbadians did not glaze their words with honey during the last elections here. It would be encouraging to hear and observe some words and postures of similar strength in this matter involving land and riches between Guyana and Venezuela. For the record, and information of those hemming and hawing about how fully they should come out, all the land and all the riches are on the Guyana side of the border, and part of the patrimony of the Guyanese people.

We readily acknowledge that Venezuela has a lot to offer to many of our regional neighbors. Even in its weakened state, Venezuela can make mouthwatering commitments to CARICOM member states. This is what could prompt some of those thought to be among Guyana’s staunchest regional allies to keep a safe distance from Guyana. This is so that they can get something positive from Venezuela. It is obvious that Venezuelan leaders have not been idle, but busy gathering friends in the region to shore up its shaky position. Oil and gas relationships with Venezuela on one side clearly have gone a good way in pushing some regional leaders under the CARICOM umbrella to revisit Guyana’s border issue and positions, who now see those in a less than principled light.

Some fair-weather winds are in operation here. Though Guyana could use as many friends as it can get in its corner, it can only deal with those who are not of the iffy variety.

That is, when things get tough, fair-weather friends find safety in all manner of verbal constructions in efforts to be all things to all people. To be frank, this is insulting to Guyana and its positions. It is better to have a few trusted friends who will stay the course, and not those who discard history and integrity when its suits their purposes.

This emphasizes how much Guyanese only have each other at the end of the day, given this tight spot. Guyanese join hands and cement their minds to oneness on this border controversy, and they will manage the challenges ahead. It is imperative, therefore, that local leaders and partisans bury their differences, and stand in united front against this menacing threat. Other neighbors are there, but not really there, viz., as in being fully in Guyana’s camp. Selfinterests beats sisterhood, as is evident in emerging political expediencies at the regional level.

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

NTC executive welcomes APA withdrawal of attempt to stop the issuance of Carbon Credits DEAR EDITOR, The NTC Executive has seen the announcement by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) that they are withdrawing their appeal to the ART Secretariat, which was calling for the suspension of Guyana’s carbon credits.

Their appeal came after the rejection of their earlier grievance, where they had claimed that Guyana’s indigenous peoples were not consulted during the process which led to the issuance of Guyana’s carbon credits for the years 2016 - 2020. As elected leaders of Guyana’s indigenous peoples, the NTC Executive Board welcomes the ending of this appeals process. We reiterate our call to the APA to now work with the NTC and Guyana’s elected indigenous representatives.

The APA’s voice is always welcome – but it cannot be allowed to replace the voice of communities

and villages themselves.

Village and community members should be supported in expressing their views through village meetings and elected village leaders, chosen by villagers and community members themselves. That is why it is important to reiterate that: - the APA’s initial attempt to achieve the suspension of carbon credits was carried out in secret, without the knowledge of any villages or communities in Guyana.

This contradicted the call from Guyana’s indigenous leaders for our indigenous peoples to be consulted on matters which impact on us – principles universally recognised as Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) principles. We have the right to be involved in discussions which affect us.

- once the attempt to have credits suspended was discovered via the media, not a single village or community in Guyana

s u p p o r t e d t h e A PA’s grievance to the ARTTREES Secretariat.

Over the previous years, indigenous leaders from across the country had chosen to participate in the consultation on Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and carbon credits.

This is unlike the APA who had been invited to help lead the consultation, as a member of the LCDS 2030 Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee, but chose not to do so.

Elected indigenous leaders determined ways to ensure a fair and practical benefits sharing mechanism for Villages to participate in the carbon credit scheme underpinned by the issuance of ART-TREES credits. We have always made it clear, that villages and communities lead in undertaking the responsibility to express willingness to participate in

this programme, and that no rights are taken away for any villages and communities that make this choice.

Every single village and community in Guyana – that is 242 villages and communities – met to determine their own priorities in village meetings. All have expressed, in writing, a willingness to participate, through votes of village and community members. As a result, this year, GYD4.75 billion was transferred to village and community bank accounts, with onward investment in over 500 projects identified in village plans put together (and voted on) by village and community members. A further GYD26 billion is being invested in projects identified in the LCDS 2030, and that benefit multiple communities right across the c o u n t y, m a i n l y o n infrastructure to help adapt (Continued on page 06)

Keeping Agri in Focus-USAID to assist Guyana in cultivation, production of turmeric, coconut, cherries DEAR EDITOR, Concerning the good news that “USAID (is) to assist Guyana in cultivation, production of turmeric, coconut, (and) cherries,” I am compelled to make a few comments, as I think this is something quite huge.

First, I want this to sink in. I speak here of the reality that close to one billion people around the world continue to suffer from chronic food insecurity.

Also, global demand for food is expected to increase dramatically, while the growing world population and climate change are already negatively affecting farming practices and productivity. In others words, not only trends in agriculture must change; they must do in in quick time.

In this vein, it is good that “… Guyanese farmers (are) set to benefit from specialized technical assistance, under a $5.3 million Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA) project (that is) being funded by the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID).”

As for the USAID organization, Guyana, in this project, is again under expert guidance and tested leadership.

As most are aware, the USAID is top-notched. It has been working assiduously for years to foster agricultural investments in various countries, seeking to make them sustainable and country-led. Specifically, USAID is supporting agricultural capacity development on farms and in the private sector, producer organizations, research and extension institutions, government agencies, rural financial institutions, and civil society. Its thrust is all about capacity development programs to support a process of change in which people, organizations, and societies can improve their performance over time.

These programs, over time, create, strengthen, and maintain capacity in critical areas ranging from agricultural research and policy analysis to essential skills needed to create and run farmer associations and agribusinesses.

Secondly, I revisit the last National Budget, in which Dr. Ashni Singh, Head of the Finance Ministry, did emphasize that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government “… is aiming to expend G$2 billion on four food security projects that will serve as a barometer for measuring the success of the agriculture sector this year. These are the establishment of a regional security hub, the creation of an enhanced capability to harness greater use of science, technology and research to help promote innovation and product development and the promotion of hinterland agriculture for food security and self-sufficiency and to meet market needs “beyond the local community.” Thus, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha was right on target when he recently met with a team from the USAID agency to discuss priority areas.

Let us remember, as Minister Mustapha noted, that plenty has been done over the recent past to assist farmers, and that the outcomes have indicated

that both Guyana and the Caribbean are moving in the right direction. After all, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, did charge the Guyana President, Irfaan Ali, during his recent trip to Barbados for the country’s agro-fest, “… to lead a campaign to encourage people to change their consumption patterns.”

On that occasion, she charged that “… we need a CARICOM stamp of food and CARICOM produce so that we can run a regional campaign where Caribbean people can say ‘I want to buy Caribbean food even if it costs me 10 cents more or 50 cents more because I know my money is now going to keep our societies safer, or our societies more stable’.”

So, all of this is inline, Minister Mustapha explained Guyana’s plan to commence construction of a food terminal before the end of 2023 as the government gears up to make Guyana a regional food distributor.

“We have a lot of room to collaborate, and I know USAID has been a valuable partner over the years. We (Continued on page 06)

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Deepavali narrates the significance What the PPP sees as of good over evil “eating out the budget”, APNU D ofE the, victory Divinity of Wealth. On this self. The lights of Diwali Throughout the world, day, Hindu merchants in also signify a time of inner sees as investing in people including Guyana, Diwali is India open new account awakening and reconnecting EAR

DEAR EDITOR, The PPP’s mentality that sees people as mostly devourers of national revenues – or as Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo often snidely puts it “they just eat out the budget” — is the single starkest difference between how the PPP sees development and how APNU sees it.

Put aside for now the fact that APNU believes that a government has a binding moral obligation to ensure the welfare of its citizens, but the PPP does not. Put aside for now also that APNU regards as sacred the human rights of citizens to a high quality of life, but the PPP does not.

Furthermore, put aside the fact that these considerations singly or jointly are enough to compel a government to spend on people-centred measures, such as paying a living wage and providing free or affordable high-quality social services.

What also fundamentally separates the two parties is that APNU accepts, but the PPP rejects, the pure technical argument that investment in people (from womb to tomb) is a pivotal driver of socioeconomic growth and development.

As such, APNU believes that spending, for example, on early childcare and education programs, ensures that babies and toddlers can receive the right nurture and nutrition during the time when 95% of their brain develops. There is a deluge of research that proves

that such early head-start programs vastly increase the likelihood of these children becoming healthy and productive adults. When such programs also include free or affordable day-care services, more women are able to join the labour force or to continue their studies and careers.

APNU believes also that spending on families through, for example, guaranteed livable incomes for households, rent and mortgage assistance, rent-toown housing, nutrition programs, and subsidies on utilities not only helps to lift households out of poverty and economic insecurity, but increases the likelihood of families becoming positive social forces—producing such societal benefits as less juvenile delinquency and higher school attendance.

In addition, APNU sees that granting living wages to the working poor as spurring economic development. As Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton noted at a Press conference on 13th April this year “The more people who can contribute to the economy and fairly benefit from it, the more prosperous we all are.” He added: “The more people participate as workers, producers, consumers, investors, and citizens, the better are the chances of building a vibrant and prosperous society and economy for all.”

For the PPP and the brightest-man-in-its-room,

direct spending on people is consumption (eating out the budget), not investment for the present or the future. As such, the PPP believes such spending should be minimal.

In its vision, the people’s salvation lies in waiting for the trickle from crony capitalism and infrastructure outlays.

When is that day of salvation? the PPP is always careful not to say.

A word on infrastructure, as the PPP’s self-claim to fame. Spending mostly on infrastructure maintenance, replacement and upgrades (as currently the case) goes only so far, but will not transform the economy and people’s living standards.

What instead is mostly needed is infrastructure to expand productive capacity and to change the game.

If one leaves out the Coalition-initiated projects such as the Gas-to Energy project and the paving of the Linden-Mabura Road, most of the spending on infrastructure by the PPP is useful but will not lift Guyana and the lives of Guyanese to the next several levels. No wonder the PPP is silent on providing deadlines for ending poverty and lifting living standards.

Respectfully, Sherwood Lowe

DITOR

being celebrated on Sunday, November 12th. Guyanese are lucky to enjoy a long weekend by virtue of Monday being a day off.

The sages who instituted this Deepavali custom may have hoped that their descendants would realize its benefits and make the tradition a regular habit in their lives. Unite and unify is one of the themes observed as we seek the mercy of the Divine for the removal of benightment.

Diwali is a cooperative event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts, being an ideal moment to beg pardon. It is a time when people mingle about in joy and embrace one another, forgiving anyone of any grievance. Those with keen, inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voices of the sages, “O children of God, unite and love all”. The vibrations produced by the greeting of love, which fill the atmosphere, are powerful. When the heart has considerably toughened, only a continuous celebration of Deepavali can rekindle the urgent need of turning away from the ruinous path of hatred and greed.

Prosperity and progress resonate with prayers to the

books and pray for success and profit during the coming year. Outstanding accounts are settled. People buy new outfits for the family. The females receive golden jewelries.

Employers, too purchase new clothes for their employees. Homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthen oil lamps called diyas. Children make Rangolis in their yards.

Strings of colored lights decorate the ambience for a kaleidoscopic look. The best and finest illuminations can be seen from Berbice to Demerara and throughout Essequibo to the hinterland in this country.

Motorcades are organized, enshrined with pictures depicting the images of deities, in particular Mata Lakshmi.

The famous Golden Temple at Amritsar in India is lit in the evening with thousands of lamps. This festival instills the urge of the doer as a giver in the hearts of people to perform good deeds. This includes Govardhan Puja, a celebration by Vaishnavites on the fourth day of Diwali.

On this day, they feed the poor on an incredible scale.

Time out is taken to kindle the spark within the inner

with the Atma.

Hindus believe that the light of lights is the one that steadily shines in the chamber of the heart. Sitting quietly and fixing the mind on this supreme light consoles the inner self. It is a practice to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss.

From Darkness on to Light is the cry of those blinded by negativities, nefariousness and naiveness. In each legend, myth and anecdote, the story of Deepavali narrates the significance of the victory of good over evil. It is with each Deepavali and the lights that brightens our homes and hearts that this simple truth finds new reason with the season and hope to cope.

The fascination of light empowers us to a commitment of bettering (Continued on page 06)

Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 12, 2023

Public Servants salary increases do not match world's fastest NTC executive welcomes APA withdrawal... growing economy - GTUC

Kaieteur M@ilbox

From page 04 to climate change such as defence against flooding. The APA sought to prevent the issuance of carbon credits and the flow of the money for these development opportunities as well as others in the years ahead. They are free to do this, without explaining why. But they should not claim to represent indigenous peoples in Guyana when they take actions such as these in

secret.

Similarly, they should be transparent about receiving funding from the deep pockets of foreign organisations to hold elite events in New York, Montreal and elsewhere, and be honest about the fact that elected indigenous leaders from Guyana have been excluded from these events by the organisers. There is now an opportunity for the APA to put these divisive tactics in the

past, and to join to support indigenous peoples across Guyana. We hope the APA will now join with the elected representatives of Guyana’s indigenous peoples to move beyond division and towards collaboration.

Best Regards, Derrick John Chairman, National Toshaos’ Council Guyana

Keeping Agri in Focus-USAID to assist...

From page 04 are seeing a lot of positive results from what we started when we took office in 2020.”

He detailed that “We are on the verge of starting our food terminal, so that we can be a food distributor for the Caribbean. I have the technical people working, and we are looking to get that project started before the year is out, because we have a lot in place already. So, overall, I think we are moving in the right direction in the Caribbean in terms of the 25 by 2025 Initiative.,” On the part of USAID, Programme Director for IESC’s USAID Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA), Sandiford Edwards informed Minister Mustapha

that the upcoming programme cycle for USAID’s CAPA is scheduled to commence sometime in January. He also said that through consultations with agencies like the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the local Private Sector, and farmers, they were able to identify three target commodities for support.

What are these?

First there is turmeric, “… as the government has invested in a major plant in Region One. So, in discussion, we agreed that turmeric is an area where we are going to provide some support in terms of working with the farmers.”

Then there is coconut, as USAID pointed out that it is recognizing that this is the

third most exported produce from Guyana. And finally, it has looked at cherries and how we can work with farmers to access resources.

My final word is that we can be optimistic. USAID did meet with some of the large producers, and noted that there is a gap in supply where we can support farmers to expand production.

“We are in deep discussion with the GBTI to look at the staff capacity building in agricultural lending to see how we can support them with specialized agriculture loan products. The project will also work with input suppliers.” Guyana naturally has these three crops in abundance; it is time to forge ahead.

Yours truly, HB Singh

Public servants are not being paid salaries that match the world's fastest g r o w i n g e c o n o m y, a n economy in the last eight years that announced 46 oil finds.

T h e G u y a n a Tr a d e Unions Congress (GTUC) lamented in a statement that while in 2023, this country's economy will earn US$1.88 Billion in oil revenue alone, workers, who are making it possible for the government to effectively and efficiently function, are being handed mere crumbs.

To make matters worse, the GTUC noted that the recent move by President Irfaan Ali to exclude the unions representing workers or engage in the collective bargaining process, is an insult to workers and the unions which represent them.

President Ali announced on Thursday that public sector workers will receive a $25, 000 bonus and certain categories of teachers will move from the lowest band in the salary scale to the highest.

According to the GTUC, this only tramples on the constitutionally protected right of teachers and public servants to engage in collective bargaining with the government through their unions; Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), respectfully.

“This is not only in violation of Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act and Article 147 of the Constitution of Guyana, but also the Oath of Office President Ali took to uphold the Constitution and Laws of

G u y a n a . ” According to a statement by the GTUC, “Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act requires the employer to treat with the union and negotiate in good faith. The government continues to operate in violation of this law.

Workers continue to be abused by the government, thrown peanuts, and are expected to be welcoming of the disrespect.”

The GTUC said apart from the violation of the right to collective b a rg a i n i n g , a o n e - o ff payment of $25,000, which is equivalent to US $125.00, is an “insult and peanuts for a class of people that yearlong, has kept the engine of government firing on all cylinders.”

The Union noted that the arbitrary increase on wage/salary bands that predate the oil economy also ignores the trade unions' calls to respect collective bargaining and bring wage/salary bands in line with today's economy.

GTUC is therefore calling on workers not to be fooled.

The union asserted that, “Workers deserve and must fight for more.

Wo r k e r s d e s e r v e earnings befitting an oil and gas economy, and such benefits are not only for foreign nationals but also local labour.”

It continued: “Workers are being paid less than they deserve, in oil rich Guyana, an economy where cost of living has outpaced earning, adversely impacting working conditions and standard of living, which

GTUC General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis

will hinder workers' motivation to perform at their best.”

Meanwhile, the GTUC noted that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at his Thursday press conference, sought to denounce the federation for having only Opposition supporters at the opening o f i t s 5 t h Tr i e n n i a l Congress on Wednesday.

GTUC explained that it invited leaders from both the Opposition and the government. “…The government sought to boycott the event; they should tell this nation why.

This nation is also reminded that the PPP government ministers, including President Ali, attended the conferences of Federation of Independent Trade Union Congress (FITUG) and Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU),” the Union added.

Whilst GTUC said it has no problem with such participation, the union stressed that it would not be unfair to ask whether the government's attendance (Continued on page 09)

Deepavali narrates the significance...

From page 05 ourselves and brings us closer to the Divinity.

Sweetmeats are distributed among families, friends and neighbors.

Gifts are exchanged. Seva is practiced as the less fortunate are treated and money is shared as dhaan.

During Diwali, lights are lit in every corner of the world, and the scent of incense hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of music, firecrackers, the squeal of laughter of joy and the clapping of hands for togetherness. Diwali is celebrated around the globe.

Outside of India, it is more than a Hindu festival; it’s a culture of celebration of South-Asian identities,

Hindus, followers, observers and other participants. If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes, withdraw the senses and concentrate on this supreme light. Giving thanks to the Unseen One and visiting the mandirs, brings a sense of being rejoiceful, especially for the farmers who would have reaped bountiful crops.

This Diwali season representing knowledge over ignorance with the rows of lights, it is daunted with so many deaths due to illness, accidents and crime in Guyana.

Doom and gloom demoralize man with the many wars which are

destroying the lives of millions in the universe. Let us light a special Diya for all the departed ones, for the families who have suffered any loss and say a special prayer in their memory.

Let us pray also for the well-being of all the leaders of this country and the rest of the world to always do what is best and right for the people, by exercising wisdom, care and good judgment.

May all negativities be extinguished from everyone, especially the sick, oppressed and depressed, with the brightness of Diwali. Shubh Diwali to you and your family.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

This Diwali, we hope that light would prevail over GP-Hell.

This embattled agency has been subjected to mismanagement at the hand of consecutive governments.

All Guyanese are left to do is hope and pray for better management across the great land of ours.

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday Monday November May 02,12, 2022 2023

Almost four Guyana delays purchase years since first oil... of US$200k oil meters to

monitor Exxon's daily production - but spends US$11.5M to buy boat to protect company's operations

S

ince Guyana drew its first barrel of oil in December 2019, the country has allowed production to continue offshore Guyana in the absence of a meter to independently verify the quantity of oil being pumped daily by the operator of the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL).

The country has not only allowed the oil giant to produce oil at its first projectLiza 1- without any supervision or verification systems in place, but also approved and commenced a second project- Liza Twowithout implementing its own monitoring technology.

To this end, the Liza Onenow producing an estimated 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) and the Liza Two, producing an average 250,000 bpd are not being monitored by the state.

Meanwhile, a third project, Payara is expected to come on stream before the end of this year, however, Guyana is yet to establish monitoring capabilities to keep watch on its vast oil reserves.

This publication was

reliably informed that the necessary equipment to monitor the operator's daily production can cost this country less than US$200,000.

A Positive Displacement Flow Meter or a (PD) Meter is largely utilized in the industry to measure the flow of oil.

The meters measure the volumetric flow rate of a moving fluid or gas by way of precision-fitted gears or rotors containing cavities through which precisely known volumes of fluid pass.

Research by this newspaper found that the meters are very accurate.

According to Universal Flow Monitors (UFM), PD flowmeters is the only flow measurement technology that directly measures the volume of the fluid passing through the meter.

They are suitable for use in oil and gas, water and w a s t e w a t e r, c h e m i c a l , power, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, pulp and paper, metals and mining and aerospace.

The availability of this technology has nonetheless failed to faze the

Government of Guyana (GoG) that is at this time exerting its energies on regulating other areas of the industry.

It was Vice President and chief policy maker for the sector, Bharrat Jagdeo who told reporters during an August press conference this year that the government will shift its attention to the monitoring of production after it completes its new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), the Petroleum Act and its inaugural oil blocks auction.

The VP said, “We will get past the core reforms first…the PSA (Production Sharing Agreement), the Local Content Act, the auction, the Petroleum Activities Bill; when we have upgraded the architecture we will then move to operation (and) compliance issues.”

The former Head- ofState was keen to note that the new PSA will strengthen the government's ability to manage the industry, since it would force oil and gas companies to produce pertinent data. Likewise, the new oil law will ensure petroleum companies submit

timely data.

According to the VP, this would give the regulators “a better real-time picture of the industry.”

Perhaps more troubling to stakeholders were the VP's plans to access information f r o m E x x o n t o “independently monitor” oil production.

He revealed that government plans to access the data that Exxon will be receiving at its new Headquarters at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

At that time, he said, “On issues relating to production verification, we said that Exxon is building an operational center as part of the head office.

They are gonna have a fiber optic cable coming in, we may have to get an access to the fiber or in the short term we will probably use satellite technology to have an independent measuring of the flows and everything else.”

Stakeholders had called out the administration on its intention to utilize data from Exxon, as this could have deprived the nation an opportunity to independently

Jagdeo accuses City Hall of no transparency in tax...

From page 3 approved for, he noted, “Absolutely, that goes without saying, as it is the peoples' money what we are saying is that the types of waivers that is clear, it's the quantification of it that the government will resist putting figures to.

That is where I think definitely the Guyanese people will look forward to more clarity there.”

The Opposition is adamant that there should be transparency in this area. “We believe that there should be transparency, we believe that it would be normal for Guyanese to be able to have an idea of the annual tax exemptions that exist across all operators in the oil industry. We believe in transparency so we would be happy to see those figures released to the public so that there is a sense of how that functions,” Low said.

TAX WAIVERS TO OIL

COMPANIES For two consecutive years, the tax waivers granted to oil and gas companies in Guyana amounted to more than the country's oil earnings.

It was reported that at the end of the fiscal year 2021 GRA granted approximately US$1billion in tax exemptions alone to the oil and gas sector, while the country earned only US$633.47M during the same period.

Similarly in 2020, Guyana's new Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Report, for the year 2020 has revealed that the country earned a total of $93.77 billion from its extractive industries, comprising the oil, gold, diamond, bauxite, timber and fisheries sectors among others.

During the same period, the country however waived over $107 billion in taxes for the oil and gas sector. This means, Guyana lost more revenue in taxes than it earned for that

year in its entire extractive sector.

Although the petroleum companies continue to enjoy the tax holidays extended through the lopsided 2016 deal with Exxon, the country remains in the dark on the sums being waived for specific items.

Article 21.1 of the contract stipulates that the Contractor as well as its sub-contractors “engaged in Petroleum Operations shall be permitted to import, free of duty, VAT or all or any other duties, taxes, levies or imposts, all equipment and supplies required for Petroleum Operations including but not limited to drillships, platforms, vessels, geophysical tools, communications equipment, explosives, radioactive sources, vehicles, oilfield supplies, lubricants, consumable items (other than foodstuffs or alcoholic beverages or fuel), as well as all items listed on Annex D.”

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo confirm the number of barrels being produced offshore daily. This means, Guyana would be blindly accepting the production rates which could be grossly understated by the oil companies.

Subsequently, government announced it would be moving to tender to find a suitable company to monitor the production data.

In the absence of such a critical tool close to four years after first oil, Guyana reportedly purchased a “next generation” 115 Defiant Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for US$11.5M so that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) can among other things better protect ExxonMobil's operations.

This publication understands that the government has been paying for the boat since 2021 by setting aside funds from its yearly budgets that are heavily supported by oil revenues from the Stabroek Oil Block offshore Guyana.

On Monday October 30, Metal Shark Boats, the American company that Guyana paid to build the vessel said that the boat is completed and has departed its Louisiana production facility in the United States of the American (USA) for its Bayou La Batre, Alabama shipyard.

Losing thousands of barrels daily?

The Publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall had expressed the view in a recent commentary that as government focuses its attention elsewhere, Guyana could be losing hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil daily due to its failure to

independently monitor and verify the production rates.

The businessman and advocate for a better oil deal reasoned, “If a man picking your mangoes to sell, you the owner does have to check how much he pick. A man picking your coconut, do you have to monitor him to see how much he pick? I am not sure.”

To t h i s e n d , t h e newspaper publisher said Guyana could be losing hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil daily, as it fails to verify the production.

“I don't believe the figures being presented by Exxon.

They are reporting 400,000 barrels per day but it is much more than that but like leaders don't seem to give a damn about that.

Guyana has become a free for all for Exxon and others, and it is sad that this country does not know how much oil is being pumped or the interest rates we are paying or the equity charges coming out from our oil,” Lall noted.

He added, “Since when a country has to depend on the eyes of the watchman who is a known gangster to look out for the country's interest?

Guyana has spent US$1.6 billion of the oil money it received, on what, God in heaven knows.

The most important thing, a cable from the meter out there to the Office of the President that will cost less than US$40 million hasn't been put in place four years after pumping oil.

What are we running? A country with its US-trilliondollar resources, or we running a cake shop selling icicles?”

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

PAGE 09

Jagdeo needs to be leashed At his press conference l a s t T h u r s d a y, Vi c e President Jagdeo, in response to a question posed by a reporter, denied that he has responsibility for the natural resources sector. He said that he has oversight over oil and gas, the environment, and finance.

This is strange. The list of Constitutional appointments and their duties, as published in the Extraordinary Gazette of 11th September 2020 lists Bharrat Jagdeo as Vice President and a Member of Cabinet. In one of his earlier press conferences he indicated that he does not attend all Cabinet meetings.

By what authority he misses the others has not been stated.

The gazette lists him as having specific oversight responsibilities for finance, natural resources, and the environment. While he does not have ministerial responsibilities, he has oversight responsibilities.

It therefore once again begs the question by what authority is he purporting to speak on any and every aspect of the government.

Has he co-opted the portfolio of the person who has responsibility for information?

His recent

press conference was hosted in his capacity as General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party. But as any reporter who has ever attended one of those press conferences, he waxes lyrically on any and every subject and speaks with the sort of authority as if he knows any and every detail about government.

If, for example, he does not have responsibility for Foreign Affairs or defense, how can he pronounce definitively that the United States government has never approached the government of Guyana on the issue of establishing a military base?

It could be that following the claim by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, the matter was clarified in Cabinet and he was told that this has never been broached. Or is it that he is implicitly indicating that no major decision of that nature can be made without his direct knowledge and consent?

The latitude with which he speaks about government matters indicate that he has more than simply oversight responsibilities for oil and gas, the environment, and finance. It would imply that he possesses far more decision-making and decision-influencing roles

than his official responsibilities, as published in the gazette, suggests. Yesterday, it was reported that based on a commitment given by him, fifteen computers were handed over to the Buxton Practical Instruction Centre.

Does this entity not fall under another Ministry and o u t s i d e o f J a g d e o ’s oversight? Two days earlier, four printers were handed over to the St. Pius Primary School, reportedly based on a commitment Jagdeo had given? Last Wednesday, he launched a G$50M Home Improvement Programme for residents of Laing Av e n u e . S h o u l d t h i s initiative not fall under the Ministry of Local Government?

Last week, he held a meeting with residents of Region 3. Did he meet them in his capacity as the person with oversight over natural resources, finance, and the environment? Earlier this month he inspected ongoing works at Sideline Dam, La Penitence. He also met with residents of Alexander Village. In the latter part of October, he also met residents of a several communities on the East Coast.

It therefore needs to be

Public Servants salary increases...

From page 06 and participation at those conferences were intended to signal to the nation that these unions and affiliates are PPP unions.

Further, the union said the government

should answer whether their absence from the GTUC's c o n f e r e n c e c o u l d b e construed as part of their 'One Guyana' policy where the other half of society does not matter.

DEM BOYS SEH

The rise and fall of social media superstars

M

e seh, me nah know bout you, but dis whole social media superstar thing is more confusing than a crab in a traffic jam. One man wake up one morning, him deh pon di road with holey shoes and yesterday’s dreams, and by evening time, him living large like he win the lottery, and all him do is post pictures of him talking at breakfast!

Dem followers multiply like dem trying to repopulate the Earth, and suddenly, he’s the second coming. But yuh see, there’s always a next one trying to catch the same breeze of fame. Him trying so hard, him look like him chasing a tornado.

But the people dem, dem not interested in he.

Dem say, “Nah man, we already have a social media messiah, we don’t need another one preaching the gospel of conspiracy theory and threatening to beat up anyone who stands in his oath. One is enough!”

Now, dis turbo-charged mouth, oversized ego fella, him think him deh pon di highway to stardom, but really, him deh pon a onew a y s t r e e t t o embarrassment. Every post more boastful than the last, like him competing in the Olympic boast-off. But Guyanese people, dem nah fall for di bait. Dem seh, “Buddy, yuh mouth bigger than Kaieteur Falls, but yuh substance smaller than a

fly’s sneeze.”

It’s like a soca song playing in reverse – instead of building up to a climax, it’s breaking down to a flat note.

Dem followers dropping off quicker than mangoes in May, and him left wondering where di love gone.

Turns out, people prefer the humble success story, not di one shouting from the rooftop like him win a gold medal in the Braggadocio Olympics.

The rise and fall of social media superstars – from rags to riches to rags again faster than you can say “Like and subscribe.”

Lesson learned: di bigger yuh head, di harder yuh fall.

Talk Half! Leff Half!

asked whether Bharrat Jagdeo is usurping the responsibilities of other Ministers. The answer to this question is important given the allegations of micromanagement which bedeviled his tenure as President of Guyana between 1999 and 2011.

B u t t h e m o s t disconcerting development happened in June of this year. Jagdeo met with several sports personalities and clubs at the Albion Sports Complex and announced that some $400M would be allocated for the upgrade of these grounds. In so doing, Jagdeo was stealing the thunder of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport who should have been allowed to make this announcement. The Minister was in attendance but it is clear that Jagdeo was stealing the limelight.

No one person should be allowed to alight on so many portfolios. The concern over t h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t ’s

extensive involvement in multiple portfolios raises questions about the distribution of responsibilities within the Irfaan Ali government.

No person should be allowed to be involved in an overwhelming number of portfolios. The risk of overextension becomes apparent when the Vice President becomes more active than the President, who is traditionally viewed as the Head of State and government. This situation may create a potential imbalance that could hinder the President’s ability to effectively lead the nation. A Vi c e P r e s i d e n t w i t h involvement in an excessive number of portfolios could even overshadow the President, diminishing the clarity of leadership roles in the government.

Another danger is that the concentration of authority in the hands of a few persons, risks slothful decision making. This may

explain why, to date, major diplomatic appointments remain unfinalized, the promised appointment of a Minister of Local Government had not materialized and the D e m o c r a c y Aw a r d i s languishing in limbo The President needs to limit his Vice President. This would prevent the Vice President from being spread too thin. It would also avoid perception of the Vice President as the nation’s “chief cook and bottle washer.”

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Sunday Monday November May 02,12, 2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Ramdihal and Haynes excessively to Exxon There is a song by John Hall & Darryl Oates that has the title 'Somethings are better left unsaid.” I think it's good advice for the Ramdihal & Haynes et al audit c o n s o r t i u m t o f o l l o w.

Oftentimes, silence is the better part of wisdom.

In this matter involving raw oil production numbers, and Exxon's putting up a steel curtain before the R&H audit group, it is my belief that the Americans were treated too

gently, given too much of a friendly pat on the back.

There is agreement with not rushing to conclusions that may later prove to be unfounded, leaving a scar on reputation. Better to say, no professional position can be taken in the absence of the raw production numbers, notwithstanding Exxon's routing the auditors to the sales reports. Or, that more was needed. Or, say nothing at all; nothing that could be

interpreted to the favor of Exxon, nothing that could make it look lesser in the eyes of watchers and analyzers.

When the R&H audit group reported said something to the effect of 'having no reason to conclude that the production statements provided to government would differ from the raw measurement data utilized by Exxon for production management.' I put on my silkiest white

glove to say that (no reason is one great leap of faith by the R&H group. It was time to bring out the Remy Martin (or Southern Comfort) in Duke Street and Texas. The R&H people may shrink from calling a dog a dog, but I don't. For the record of Exxon in Guyana and elsewhere, including the United States of all places, does not induce any kind of confidence. Whenever this superpower of a company could engage in irregular warfare, Exxon has the gumption to do exactly so.

Exxon does not produce one page of paper more than it has to, and if doing otherwise would bare its b o t t o m .

W h e n circumstances suit its purposes, the company would overwhelm with paper. As a reminder, it was this same R&H audit consortium that had lamented the volume of documents that its members had to dig through, to obtain an understanding of what was going on, what Exxon was [really] up to with the Liza I and Liza 2 project expenses. Though the R&H group can't force Exxon to deliver what was asked for, the fact that Exxon balked in presenting the production data does say a bit of a mouthful, doesn't it? It is where I stand.

Why go to those lengths?

Why any objection at all, when to deliver the diagram(s) would be the best testimony of Exxon's fraternal relationship with Guyana? I appreciate that for some members of the human species business doesn't have family, but it is put on the buffet table. My fellow

Guyanese are free to pick-up a piece of Exxon to savor or spit out.

Still, in fairness, it is important to appreciate what the agreement requires.

Annex C, page 17, Section 5 (Production Statement) (a)(j) specifies what Exxon has to provide monthly to the minister. This was where the R&H team ought to have directed its attention, as the documents were there, as delivered by Exxon. Now, R&H could have had an interest to inspect closer, and reconcile more deeply, what Exxon has in-house versus what is given to the Ministry of Natural Resources (minister) monthly.

What I am concerned about is why Exxon reacted so firmly, to the point of immovability.

When the Exxon(s) of the world do so, it is usually not for the better. Because there is the record of Exxon's own studies and convictions about fossils and climate change held close to the chest, and then there are its public pronouncements that were on a different plane and planet.

Put simply, the twain failed to meet.

My bottom-line belief is straightforward: any item in any form that has the potential, however limited, to put a dent on Exxon claims to accuracy and integrity, the company will guard fiercely.

Thus, the kind of digging and comparing that leads to reassuring reconciliation is thwarted.

In further substantiation of its having 'no reason to conclude' position, R&H

pointed to the presence of Government of Guyana assigned 'personnel at calibrations and offloads' and their being 'fully aware of all measuring points.’

I take the liberty of reintroducing a fine Guyanese presence by the name of Mr. Bobby (soon to be Dr.) Gossai to the R&H audit consortium.

He certainly did justice by the Guyanese people. He was so good at his trade that even the Exxon's Mr. Routledge, descended from his imperialist throne (I am beginning to sound like Cheddi and Forbes [and Maduro]) and make a spirited plea for mitigation for Mr. Gossai. I am still trying to figure out who he worked for the most, who and what are his first loves.

The things that multinationals do, and the things that they get away with, could fill up a new Encyclopedia Britannica.

On Guyana only. I said it before: R&H did some decent work with the US$7.3 billion audit. Yes, there were areas bypassed, and judgment calls that had to be made.

On its comment involving the raw production data and that gadgetry about sales reports, it didn't.

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

Motorcyclist dies in Pearl accident Forty-one-year old Mark Marks called 'Country,' of Charlotte Street, Georgetown died on Friday morning after he lost control of his motorcycle and fell onto the roadway at Pearl, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The accident occurred around 07:30hrs.

According to the police, Marks was heading south along the eastern side of the public road when he lost control of his bike and fell onto the roadway, skidding some distance away. Police said as a result, the driver sustained injuries to his head and other parts of his body.

He was picked up by public-spirited citizens in an unconscious condition and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Center, where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty; he was pronounced dead on arrival.

An investigation is ongoing.

Dead: Mark Marks called 'Country'

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

Govt. to spend almost $1B to rehabilitate roads in Reg. 10

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill (center) along with the contract awardees on Friday.

C

ontinuing with the roll out of its miscellaneous road programme, the Ministry of Public Works on Friday signed $842,393,353 in contracts for the rehabilitation of 19 roads in Region 10.

Overseeing the signing of the contracts on Friday at his Kingston, Georgetown office was Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill. In his brief remarks to the contractors, the minister urged them to immediately get into execution mode.

He re-emphasized the G overnment' s mass ive build-out plan for Region 10 which will continue into 2024.

He stated that just recently, President Irfaan Ali passed instructions to have 1000 meters of roadway

paved in Coomaka, along with another 1600 meters at Old England/ Siberia in the region.

The minister added that these roads are at crusher run level and must be brought up to asphaltic concrete.

Additionally, he said there are works to be done at Ituni: four concrete roads, as well as a new road to be constructed at Black Bush for which the contract will be awarded immediately.

“Along with 62 roads to be built, 19 more added today, and some $300 million earmarked for projects under the Hinterland programme for Region 10, there is work and opportunity for everyone,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 19 roads slated for rehabilitation are as follow, Block 22 Main

Road, Wismar; Ice Water Road, Block 22; Broad Money Street, Amelia's Ward; Community Centre North Side Road, Amelia's Ward; Henry's Road, South Amelia's Ward; Well Road, Amelia's Ward; Lover's Lane & School Access Road, Amelia's Ward; Second Corner Main Street; Empire Drive Road; Last Cross Street, Empire Drive; Blue Berry Hill Back Road; Oval Road, Retrieve, Linden; Harvey's Road, One Mile Extension; Bobby Nowel's Street, One Mile, Linden; Riverside Road, Watooka, Linden; West Watooka Hill Top, Linden; West Watooka Internal Road, Linden; Half Mile Road, Wismar; and Green Valley Road, Wismar.

These projects have been given a three-month duration.

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 05, 2023 Exxon Eyes Pass Guyanese ExxonMobil has a right to market itself, its decayed greatness, and that we recognize.

What we at this newspaper can never accept is when ExxonMobil uses the money that should come to the Guyanese people to tell the citizens of this country how good it is for them.

No matter how charitably viewed, that still comes across as the work of a scam artist, a cheap corporate hustler.

Since ExxonMobil places such a premium on brainwashing Guyanese about how well it means for them, then there is a principled way for the company to do so.

What ExxonMobil should do, as a matter of consistent practice, is to have the decency to spend its own money.

Use its own profits from Guyana's low-cost, highquality oil to fund its selfpromotion efforts.

MONDAY – NOVEMBER 06, 2023 Fighting for scraps, while

Exxon and staff living large The findings of the audit into Exxon expenses has shown, among other things, their staff and high society collaborators in Guyana are living on scallops and shrimp, while Guyanese are forced to rummage around for scraping from the bottom of the barrel.

No expense is too much to keep the expatriate workers in good mettle. It is of muppets and puppets to the tune of hundreds of thousands of American dollars, what Guyanese would call one pappy show.

This is reminiscent of the high living of the lords of the slave plantations, while those chained to back-breaking toil and whipped onto submission, were compelled to fight with one another, with the fittest getting to grab the left overs.

TUESDAY – NOVERMEBR 07, 2023 G P-Hell More billions have been allocated to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) from recent budgets, yet Guyanese are subjected to increasing blackout tortures. The heat is

round the clock, and without fans, Guyanese are left to swelter and suffocate in their frustrations.

The cost-of-living is going up and up, and food storage appliances can only do the jobs that they were designed for so long without energy from the GPL. The Guyanese who can afford generators, inverters, and solar power are a tiny minority in the local population, which means that the majority is getting battered by the streams of blackouts that occur with increasing regularity.

WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 08, 2023 Spend a little more time on Guyana's poor While billions upon billions are being spent on infrastructure, the poor and those at the bottom of the economic barrel in this country are yet to have the full experience of being citizens in a country with billions of barrels of proven oil reserves.

On a comparative basis (to infrastructure spending), the money bus has passed the majority of Guyanese a long

time ago. Some of the more optimistic in the population are still hoping to be on the next big money bus that comes their way, if it does at all.

It would be so encouraging if the government starting with President Ali would spend a bigger fraction of the time and thinking that they do on infrastructure on the state of Guyana's poor and hungry.

THURSDAY – NOVEMBER 09, 2023 Why Jagdeo didn't speak on the solidarity motion?

On Monday, the National Assembly debated and passed a motion affirming Guyana's sovereignty over the Essequibo in the face of aggression by Venezuela.

It was a rare show of unity from the government and opposition, but one that was critical.

Something strange occurred on Monday; however, the most senior PPP/C official and two-term President, Bharrat Jagdeo was seated in the chambers, but did not utter a word.

Why would he not? After all, the Opposition brought out their big guns - Aubrey

Norton and Khemraj Ramjattan as part of their line-up of speakers. So why wouldn't the de facto head of government not speak on the motion?

Jagdeo's name has been calling for allegedly holding secret meetings with Venezuelan migrants and also for a controversial 2015 comment regarding offering a channel to Venezuela out to the sea.

Did he feel that he did not possess the moral authority to speak on the motion, given these allegations or is his head buried deeply only in one place-Deals are continued to be made with ExxonMobil as they continue to rape this nation of its oil resources?

FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 10, 2023 Bharrat Exxon Jagdeo With all his grand failures from the white elephant Skeldon Factory to the Fip Motilall 'road-to-nowhere scandal former President Bharrat Jagdeo should be out of any leadership picture, any conversation that is focused on what is right for Guyanese. Yet he is hanging on.

Once upon a time he used to refer to older leaders as fossils, we wonder when he looks in the mirror what he makes of himself now that he above 60.

His record is that anything that has to do with money is saturated with questions, doubts, suspicions, and fears about the worst.

On the nation's vital oil patrimony, Guyanese now have to deal with a national leader who is a non-white version of Darren Woods and Alistair Routledge: he is more for ExxonMobil than Guyana. After all the failures and disgraces, Jagdeo should go, and count his years and their rewards.

SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 11, 2023 Not a blade of grass!

“We cannot concede an inch to Venezuela. We must s e e Ve n e z u e l a a s a n adversary that wants our territory.

We must remember that Venezuela always comes up with some scheme to get our territory.

We have to be ever vigilant”, Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton.

Simple larceny case Foulis man against Lusignan granted $100,000 man dismissed bail for burglary A A

simple larceny case against a Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was dismissed on Friday, after the virtual complainant (VC) offered to no longer proceed with the matter against the accused.

According to the police, Rajendra Lall, 21, an unemployed man of Grassfield, Lusignan , ECD was arrested on Monday following allegations that he committed simple larceny against Michael Mohamed.

The accused appeared at the Vigilance Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore where the charge of simple larceny, contrary to Section

Rajendra Lall

164 of the Criminal Law Offenses Act was read to him. Lall pleaded not guilty.

The victim, who was

present at court, requested for no further action on the matter. Hence the court case was dismissed.

35-year-old man, who is no stranger to the court, was granted bail in the sum of $100,00o after he broke into the residence of two senior citizens during the months of September and October.

Ryan Sebastian, an unemployed man of Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), appeared at the Vigilance Magistrates' Court, before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, where the charges of break-and-enter and larceny-andburglary were read to him.

It is alleged that between September 12 and September 13, 2023, Sebastian brokeand- entered and robbed Krepaul Mahase, a 60- year-old farmer at his residence at Hope West Enmore, ECD. In addition, police stated that between October 19 and October 20, 2023, Sebastian also broke and entered the residence of Khemraj Singh, a 64-year-old shopkeeper of Foulis, ECD. Sebastian pleaded not guilty to each of the charges read to him.

Bail granted: Ryan Sebastian

The magistrate granted bail to the defendant in the sum of $50,000 for each charge, which amounted to the total of $100,000.

His next scheduled court appearance is set for January 24, 2024.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

WEEK-IN-REVIEW SUNDAY Jagdeo shows no interest in arming future projects with penalties if audits of Exxon’s expenses continue to expose patterns of skullduggery To d a t e , G u y a n e s e authorities have completed two audits of ExxonMobil G u y a n a ’s e x p e n s e s , covering 1999-2017 and 2018-2020. These audits have exposed several financial anomalies with the usage of Guyana’s profits.

According to the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), once an oil block is ringfenced, there should be no spending of revenues from that block to offset expenses in another block such as Canje or Kaieteur.

However, when auditors reviewed a sample of ExxonMobil’s expenses incurred in the 2018 to 2020 period totalling US$7.3B, they found that the Stabroek Block revenues paid for services related to the Kaieteur and Canje blocks.

To compound this alarming state of affairs, auditors also uncovered that Guyana’s oil profits were also used to cover expenses that had nothing to do with the effective running of Exxon’s operations offshore.

Auditors attached to Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting and Consultancy Inc with backing from Martindale Consultants, said Exxon used a portion of Guyana’s profits to cover social media ads to promote the company, puppet shows, staff parties, school fees for the expats’ children and private drivers amongst other things which are not cost recoverable.

Another equally important point is that audits are still to be done on the third, fourth and fifth oil projects in the Stabroek Block worth approximately US$30B. With these audits still outstanding, Kaieteur News r e c e n t l y a s k e d Vi c e President, Bharrat Jagdeo if future projects would be armed with stiff penalties if auditors continue to find a pattern of abuse or skullduggery.

The Guyanese official said that the government can only rely on its right to audit Exxon’s expenses which is

enshrined in the 2016 Stabroek Block PSA. He noted that this right is also afforded to local authorities via all agreements.

He further explained that, “The right to audit gives you a chance to see whether the expenditures were done illegally or they were inflated and therefore you have a mechanism to address it.” The Vice President said the mechanism the government has at its disposal is to instruct the oil company to return all disputed expenses to the cost bank.

Jagdeo noted that, “This is how the world of economics (and) accounting works. So there is a mechanism for that, for the government to have oversight over this and it’s been in all the contracts.

That’s the mechanism that we are pursuing.”

Patterson thrashes gas strategy as ‘most embarrassing document by a Government’ David Patterson, Member of Parliament and Shadow Natural Resources Minister, has issued a damning indictment of the government’s draft National Gas Monetisation Strategy, deeming it “the most embarrassing document that can be produced in this era on behalf of a government.”

The remarks came during a press conference last Friday by the Alliance for Change (AFC), wherein Patterson did not shy away from conveying his disapproval.

In no uncertain terms, Patterson stated, “It’s almost kindergarten-like… I took the time out to go through all 42 pages, and it’s such a poorly written document. It’s almost like a kindergarten schoolchild used ChatGPT or something like that and

wrote it. It’s contradictory. In one section, it says we can do this. The other section says, no, we can’t do this. There’s no clear plan. There’s no clear idea.”

The document, which has been opened for public consultation until November 14, was intended to serve as a blueprint for harnessing Guyana’s significant gas resources. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had previously hyped the strategy with an air of assurance, before its publication. However, the tide of confidence seemed to shift when, at a subsequent press conference, he referred to the strategy not as a decisive roadmap but rather a “discussion paper.”

Patterson said that the strategy has not only been criticized by him but also by

“all the technical persons,” highlighting a lack of substance.

The former Public Infrastructure Minister also emphasized that he does not have faith in the consultation process. “We know that they’re keeping consultation until November the 14th. We wouldn’t be responding.

There is nothing really to respond to that, you know, I mean, if they would like the opposition input, set up a bipartisan committee to the Ministry of Natural Resources or to the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources.”

The shadow oil m i n i s t e r ’s c a l l f o r a bipartisan committee stems from what he sees as a pattern of the government overlooking input from opposition parties. By proposing this committee, Patterson proffered that the AFC would be more willing to engage constructively on oil and gas matters, provided contributions are taken seriously.

Jagdeo has urged the public to present their views, remarking, “So if you don’t believe we have enough gas there and we shouldn’t pursue it tell us so, if you believe that there shouldn’t be a lot of concessions to develop these then say so now, but justify it of course.”

The Vice President refused a call to publish terms of reference for the

Sunday November 12, 2023

strategy, which would delineate the scope of the strategy.

The approach to finalising the document involves reviewing comments and incorporating them into a revised draft, which may be subject to another round of consultation before being finalised. This iterative process, as highlighted by Jagdeo, is meant to reflect both the government’s and the public’s vision for monetising the nation’s gas resources effectively.

MONDAY Guyana is a jewel in Exxon’s crown’ – Routledge …says Chevron is attracted to its high profit in Guyana C h e v r o n ’s r e c e n t acquisition of Hess for US$53 billion has granted the U.S. supermajor access to one of the most promising prospects in the global resources industry – Guyana’s vast offshore oil reserves, as reported by the Financial Times.

The British daily newspaper highlighted in the article that there was little interest in the South A m e r i c a n c o u n t r y ’s potential as a fossil fuel producer when ExxonMobil began exploring Guyana’s waters for oil in 2008. That changed in 2015 when an

Exxon-led consortium, including Hess and Chinese giant CNOOC, made a significant discovery at the Liza field, in the 6.6mn acre Stabroek Block.

It was reported that the consortium has made more than 30 significant discoveries since then, with the latest announced. The steady stream of oil output should help sustain Exxon’s – and now Chevron’s – crude business for decades.

“It should also transform one of Latin America’s poorest nations, home to just 800,000 people. Oil output has gone from zero to 390,000 barrels a day last year. The unusually fast ramp-up could push production to 1.2mn b/d by 2027 – equivalent to about a third of Exxon’s current daily production. Last year Guyana’s economy grew by a record 62.3 per cent, the highest rate in the world, as the petrodollars poured in.

The IMF (International Monetary Fund) expects it to expand by another 38 per cent in 2023,” the media entity stated.

All of this is happening in a global context where the world is gradually shifting away from fossil fuels, and environmentalists are vocally opposing further oil and gas development.

However, the investments by U.S. oil majors are positioning Guyana as one of (Continued on page 15)

Sunday November 12, 2023

From page 14 the last petro states to emerge in the oil era – Financial Times reported. Alistair Routledge, Exxon’s Guyana president, told the Financial Times, “It is a jewel in ExxonMobil’s crown. It’s a significant resource. It fits very well with the execution capability of ExxonMobil.”

When asked for his thoughts on Chevron’s takeover of Hess, Routledge emphasized, “Clearly what’s attractive to Chevron is that ExxonMobil is operating at a very high level… From first discovery in 2015 to first oil in 2019. I mean, [it’s] just unheard of really to develop a new resource in a brand new basin with no existing infrastructure in that short a timeframe.”

Moreover, it was stated that Wall Street analysts have hailed the Exxon-led investment in Guyana as “the best oil deal in modern history.” Notably, it boasts a low break-even price of US$25-$35 per barrel, even as global oil prices hover above US$90 per barrel.

However, the U.S. supermajor and its Guyana project have faced criticism.

Exxon’s story of success Guyana E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, ExxonMobil Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods, during a discussion on Tuesday at the annual S&P G l o b a l C E R AWe e k conference held in Houston, Texas, boasted about “the story of success” Guyana.

Woods was also proud to highlight the company’s rapid pace of development in the country.

Exxon’s boss and S&P Global Vice Chairman, D a n i e l Ye rg i n , h a d a discussion on future investment strategies in the energy sector, when Yergin stated, “So let me ask you, mega projects, you did mention Guyana. I mean that’s pretty incredible how fast that developed.”

To t h i s , Wo o d s responded, “Yes it is…Yeah I mean if you look at that it’s really a story of success, and I would also tell you that we are very focus as we grow that production.”

Exxon’s Guyana is operator and holds 45 percent interest in Guyana’s lucrative Stabroek Block, which is 6.6 million acres and has 11 billion of proven barrels of oil. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. Now Chevron holds 30 percent

Kaieteur News

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge

interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

Speaking about Exxon success in Guyana, Woods shared that the company was able to move from first discovery to first oil within five years, beating industry record. “We brought that like from discovery to first production in five years which is of not industry record is pretty close to it.

When you think about what typically the timeframe (is), (it) typically (takes) the industry about 10 years,” Exxon’s CEO said.

He continued: “If you then look at what we have delivered since that timeframe, we are bringing in those ships [Floating production storage and offloading vessels] and that production ahead of schedule, we’ve beaten schedule for the two ships [Liza Destiny and Liza Unity] that we’ve got and the third one [Prosperity] that we are working on, that is expect to beat schedule.”

Woods bragged about EEPGL being able to run production, “at a higher level than we have anticipated when we made those investments and staying focused,” adding that the company is also focused on, “helping reducing emissions.”

Exxon CEO also shared that the company is working on the US$2B Wales gas-toenergy project with the Government of Guyana (GoG) to bring gas onshore.

He said, “We got a project that we are working on with the Government of Guyana to bring gas onshore to back out some of their higher emission intensity power to substitute that with gas. So we lower emissions and get better more reliable power to the people that’s a real winwin situation.”

Guyana signed onto a Production Sharing

Agreement (PSA) with the oil major, which has been heavily criticised for being lopsided and benefiting the oil company more than the country.

The 2016 deal gives Guyana an industry-low 2% royalty. Presently, Guyana shares revenue with ExxonMobil after the company deducts 75 percent towards the cost incurred to develop the resources in the Stabroek Block.

This arrangement, with the lack of ring-fencing, sees Guyana paying for projects that are yet to commence production activities. Each month bills from future producing developments are added to the list of expenses to be cost recovered by Exxon. After the 75 percent is deducted to pay back the oil company, Guyana then shares 50/50 of the 25 percent remaining with Exxon as profits. This amounts to 12.5 percent of profits from the operations.

Also, under the signed deal, Guyana has agreed to, under the taxation provisions, to pay ExxonMobil’s share of Corporation and Income Tax. As such it would mean, that Guyana foregoes each year, billions of US dollars.

On top of this, documentation to this effect is then provided to the US based company allowing it to not have to pay any taxes in its home country for its earnings overseas.

Though Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has maintained that the mere 2 percent royalty, massive tax breaks, and the absence of a ring-fencing provision, are three key flaws of the 2016 Stabroek Block PSA, his government will not seek to renegotiate the deal.

Chevron’s Acquisition of Hess Paul Sankey, the lead analyst at Sankey Research, recently shared his

perspective on the acquisition of Hess Corporation by Chevron Corporation during a s e g m e n t o n C N B C ’s ‘Squawk on the Street.’

Sankey was queried about his take on this significant deal. He remarked, “Well, we know Guyana is the best asset and global oil. It’s remarkable so Hess was trading as a takeover play?

And the question was, can you get a high enough premium for the actually to be a consummated deal?”

This publication reported that under the terms of the agreement, Hess shareholders will receive 1.0250 shares of Chevron for each Hess share, making the total value of the transaction an impressive US$60 billion.

Of particular note, Chevron’s acquisition of Hess provides it with exclusive control over a highly coveted prize—30% of the working interest in Guyana’s Stabroek Block. In this expansive deepwater block spanning 6.6 million acres, ExxonMobil operates with a 45% working interest, while China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) holds 25%.

S i n c e t h e commencement of oil production in December 2019 at the Stabroek Block’s Liza Phase One Project, Exxon has successfully launched another project, Liza Phase Two, in February

PAGE 15

approved projects, each capable of generating over US$1 billion in annual profits for the company.

The remarkable profit potential of Guyana’s Stabroek Block hasn’t escaped Chevron’s notice, as reflected in the company’s comments on Monday.

Chevron has labeled the Stabroek Block as “an extraordinary asset with industry-leading cash margins and low carbon intensity, expected to drive production growth into the next decade.” The company also designates Guyana’s Stabroek Block as a priority asset, with over US$11 billion barrels of oil equivalent in discovered recoverable resources, promising high cash margins per barrel, a robust production growth outlook, and potential exploration opportunities.

Additionally, the large oil producer has expressed significant interest in the cash flow that will follow the start-up of Payara, the third oil project expected to commence by year-end, as well as Yellowtail, the fourth oil project scheduled for 2025.

Govt. withdraws $20.8B more from oil fund The Government of Guyana (GOG) recently withdrew an additional $20.8 billion from the

Minister responsible for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh 2022. Both ventures are contributing approximately 400,000 barrels of oil per day. Exxon and its partners are aiming for over 1.2 million barrels of oil production by 2027, s o l i d i f y i n g G u y a n a ’s Stabroek Block as one of the world’s fastest-developing oil hotspots.

Hess’ CEO, John Hess, has repeatedly emphasized that the Stabroek Block boasts five government-

Natural Resource Fund (NRF). This withdrawal, which marks the sixth for the year, was carried out in accordance with the Natural Resource Fund Act and the approved 2023 Budget.

The Ministry of Finance stated, “In accordance with the NRF Act 2021 and the approved Budget 2023, the Government of Guyana has made its sixth transfer, totaling US$100 million (equivalent to G$20.8

billion) from the NRF on October 24, 2023, to the Consolidated Fund.”

This withdrawal comes after earlier transfers of US$200 million (equivalent to G$41.6 billion) in August and September, and US$400 million (equivalent to G$83.2 billion) in February and May. While considering the 2023 national budget, the National Assembly, earlier this year, approved G$208.9 Billion to be withdrawn from the NRF in 2023. The Finance Ministry said this latest transfer brings the accumulated withdrawals to date in 2023 to $156 Billion.

According to the Minister responsible for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, the Government has been using the money to finance “national development priorities” in accordance with the NRF Act. Dr. Singh said, “It would be recalled that in August and September, amounts totaling US$200 million, equivalent to G$41.6 billion had been transferred from the Natural Resource Fund to the Consolidated Fund to finance national development priorities and in February and May of this year, the Government made withdrawals amounting to US$400 million equivalent to G$83.2 billion.”

In a previous statement, the MoF said, “The PPP/C Government will continue to work aggressively through sound and transformative investments of oil resources from the NRF, utilising these resources in a clear and transparent manner, to the benefit of present and future generations.”

Despite this commitment for transparency in the use of revenue from the NRF, the government has not defined what projects will be funded through this financial source.

In fact, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma recently told Kaieteur News that the transfers to the Consolidated Fund from the NRF allows for the revenue streams to be mixed, thereby preventing proper accounting for the funds.

He explained, “What we are doing is the Bank of Guyana has the Natural Resource Fund (report to show) how much money is received…so once the money goes there and is gazetted, it goes into the consolidated fund. The government now has it as (Continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

From page 15 budget support so they don’t have it specifically to say well they are doing x school or x road- it’s just budget support- so that’s what we are auditing.”

The AG added, “We therefore can’t say well Bishops’ High School repairs were done by the oil money or St. Rose’s School was built by that money. We are unable to say that because they are not specific in the Budget.”

A key concern for Guyanese is transparency in the governance and use of the revenue that flows into the account from the oil and gas s e c t o r. S t a k e h o l d e r s w e r e especially disturbed that the legislation features no penalties for misuse of the funds.

Section 16.2 of the NRF Act explains that, “All withdrawals from the Fund shall be deposited into the Consolidated Fund and shall be used only to finance- (a) national development priorities including any initiative aimed at realizing an inclusive green economy; and (b) essential projects that are directly related to ameliorating the effect of a major natural disaster.”

Government has not identified what are the “national development priorities” being funded by the oil revenue. This then begs the question as to how exactly the money generated from the nation’s natural resource is being put to use.

With little transparency regarding the use of Guyana’s oil wealth, International Financial analysts worry that the revenue may not be used to develop the country and improve the lives of its poor citizens.

For instance, Director of Financial Analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Tom Sanzillo recently pointed out that the government has not been prioritising saving the funds generated from the industry like Norway but has instead embarked on a massive infrastructural and energy development scheme which may very well benefit its partner, ExxonMobil more than the citizens in the country.

He reasoned, “It may work to Exxon’s benefit to put in new roads, it may be Exxon’s benefit to build a new gas plant but they don’t need that kind of electricity system in Guyana and who knows if they actually need the roads that are being built because there is no public process so what you have is a plan and the plan is to use the money to keep the existing political structure in power and that’s what is going to be done.”

Meanwhile, Director of Energy at Americas Market Intelligence, Arthur Deakin, during a recent panel discussion on Guyana’s oil wealth shared the view that government lacks a clear structure on how the resources from this

Director of financial analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Tom Sanzillo sector will be used to transform the lives of Guyanese.

Deakin was asked to share his views on why Guyana still has high levels of poverty and why he was optimistic about the situation. In his response, the International Energy Analyst explained that the Government of Guyana has made “fruitful decisions” which led to investments from the ExxonMobilled consortium in the Stabroek Block. He noted that Guyana’s oil sector has been moving at one of the fastest paces known in the industry however, when it comes to translating that wealth to the population, this has been taking some time. In fact, the specialist pointed out that for the wealth to benefit the population, it would require structural planning by the administration.

To this end, Deakin said, “The government lacks a clear vision, a clear plan on how it’s gonna spend the money it’s receiving from the oil revenue so I think there is a lot of room for improvement.”

TUESDAY U.S. Financial Analyst Tom Sanzillo: ‘Guyana playing musical chairs with Exxon on the matter of decommissioning’ —asks when the music stops who, will be left with the benefit and who will be left without a chair?

Director of financial analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Tom Sanzillo, has raised concerns about Guyana’s oil industry’s future when it comes to decommissioning as regard who will ultimately bear the cost to clean up the ocean floor.

He made those comments in a recent Financial Times article.

Decommissioning, the process of restoring the ocean’s floor after oil and gas projects conclude, is a complex and costly undertaking, involving plugging oil wells, removing structures, and restoring

surrounding areas.

ExxonMobil Guyana, operator of Guyana’s Stabroek Block with over 11 billion proven barrels of oil, has been setting aside funds for decommissioning according to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). However, Sanzillo likens this situation to a game of musical chairs. To this end, he asked: “when the music stops, who gets the benefit and who is left without a chair?”

Sanzillo has extensive experience in the oil, gas, petrochemical, and coal sectors, including company and credit analyses, facility development, oil and gas reserves, stock and commodity market analysis, and public and private financial structures. He also has 17 years of experience with the City and the State of New York in senior financial and policy management positions.

Graham Kellas of consultancy Wood Mackenzie noted that while it’s uncommon for countries not to establish a fund for decommissioning costs, large companies like ExxonMobil might cover the expenses without one.

However, he cautioned that, “But it does raise the risk of [ExxonMobil] selling the assets late in life to a smaller company that then defaults on the decommissioning.”

The Commonwealth Secretariat has warned that decommissioning costs could erase any benefits from an oil project and emphasized the importance of the “polluter pays” principle. The Commonwealth had said too, “It would be unreasonable for developing countries with low capacitated regulators and weak legal requirements to shoulder the significant financial, environmental, and social costs.

This would easily wipe away any benefits seen from a project.” As such, she added that the international community must be extremely vigilant and united to ensure that the ‘polluter pays’ principle is adhered to.”

Furthermore, during an engagement with the media last

Sunday November 12, 2023

June, ExxonMobil Guyana acknowledged that decommissioning funds are not needed until 20 to 30 years down the line. Be that as it may, the company noted that the provisions of the 2016 Stabroek Block deal allow for early recovery. However, the oil giant assured nonetheless, that when Guyana needs that money for clean-up, the money will be handed over.

‘Oil revenue will trickle-in due to lack of ring-fencing provision’ – Int’l Analyst The 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that Guyana entered into with ExxonMobil lacks a crucial ring-fencing clause.

For those unfamiliar, ‘Ringfencing’ simply means that each project would pay for itself, thereby allowing for greater profits to be split when development is paid off.

A recent Financial Times article highlighted that while Guyana’s government now has resources for essential areas like hospitals, housing, transportation, flood management infrastructure, and a sovereign wealth fund, it has raised concerns about the record profits generated by Exxon last year and Chevron’s acquisition of Hess’s 30% stake in the Stabroek Block leading to renewed scrutiny of the contract terms.

Under the 2016 deal, bills from future developing projects continue to be added to the list of expenses for Exxon to recover. After deducting 75%, Guyana shares 50/50 of the remaining 25% with Exxon as profits, equating to 12.5% of the operation’s profits.

Tom Mitro, a Senior Fellow at Columbia University’s sustainable investment center and other experts argue that the production-sharing contract signed with Guyana in 2016 is unduly generous to Exxon, and some say it should be renegotiated.

“It was an unusually sweet deal,” Mitro said. Mitro pointed to the absence of a “ring-fencing” clause. Revenues from already producing oil sites - such as the Liza field - are not ring-fenced but

can be used to recover costs for exploration across other sites in the block.

Added to this, the article also quoted Graham Kellas, an analyst at consultancy Wood Mackenzie as saying, ring-fencing has drawbacks. Kellas said, “[Guyana] could get more money out of Liza quicker but they’ll get money out of the next development slower.”

The fiscal terms are “appropriate,” Kellas said. “The risks were extremely high. ... In high-risk, high-cost, deepwater exploration anything could happen.” Meanwhile, Mitro argues that the risks were lower because Exxon had already discovered Liza when it signed the deal with Guyana. “From all the evidence, Exxon knew it was going to be a large discovery,” he said.

Also, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed concern in 2019 that lack of ringfencing could impact the projected flow of government oil revenues, especially when it comes to already producing oil sites.

Despite public pressure, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo who has accepted the potential benefits of ring-fencing oil projects is hesitant to amend the existing deal with ExxonMobil and its partners. In contrast, Guyana’s sister country, Suriname, has included a ringfencing provision in their oil contracts, allowing for more immediate benefits.

Furthermore, it is important to note that while the Stabroek Block generated a substantial US$9.8 billion last year, Guyana only received US$1.4 billion in profits and royalties, with Exxon taking US$7.4 billion to recover its investments. Also, the government’s Half-Year Report suggests that Guyana may earn lower revenue from the industry this year due to declining oil prices on the global market, resulting from reduced demand. Petroleum deposits for the year are now projected to total $1,629.3 million, US$2.4 million less than originally anticipated.

WEDNESDAY Guyana buys US$11.5M boat to help protect Exxon’s operations

Graham Kellas, an analyst at consultancy, Wood Mackenzie

Tom Mitro, a Senior Fellow at Columbia University's sustainable investment center

Guyana has reportedly purchased a “next generation” 115 Defiant Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for US$11.5M so that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) can among other things better protect ExxonMobil’s operations.

The Government has been paying for the boat since 2021 by setting aside funds from its yearly budgets that are heavily supported by oil revenues from the Stabroek Oil Block offshore Guyana. On Monday October 30, Metal Shark Boats, the American company that (Continued on page 58)

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

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s l l a f r e t Wa The

The festival of lights commemorates new beginnings for believers

Scenes from One Guyana Diwali Jalsa at Skeldon Recreational Park, Corentyne and the Region Three (West Demerara) Diwali Motorcade at the Uitvlugt Community Ground (Photos taken from President Irfaan Ali's Facebook and First Lady Arya Ali Facebook page)

You are never too old to follow your dreams….

UG’s oldest graduate

Pamela Maison is 72

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

The Beatles, Drake, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift & More: The Acts With the Most Billboard 200 & Hot 100 No. 1s Combined

T

he Beatles, Drake, M a r i a h C a r e y, Taylor Swift & More: The Acts With the Most Billboard 200 & Hot 100 No. 1s Combined.

These artists stand at the pinnacle of chart success with both albums and songs.

Topping the Billboard 200 albums chart or the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart marks a milestone achievement for any artist.

Topping both tallies reflects that an act can boast mass appeal with a full collection of music along with the ability to translate that reach to hit singles.

Who has the most combined No. 1s on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100?

With the most No. 1s on each ranking (through charts dated Nov. 11, 2023), The Beatles, thus, claim the most leaders on the lists combined: 39, via 20 No. 1s on the Hot 100 and 19 on the Billboard 200.

The Fab Four first topped the charts in February 1964, thanks to “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and parent album Meet the Beatles, respectively.

Their run of Billboard 200 No. 1s stretches through their retrospective 1 in 2000-01.

Drake leads all soloists and ranks second overall with 26 combined Billboard 200 and Hot 100 No. 1s, an equal 13 on each chart. He added his latest leaders with For All the Dogs and the set’s “First Person Shooter” (featuring J. Cole) in October. Pacing women artists, Mariah Carey has posted 25 No. 1s on the charts. She has 19 leaders, the most among soloists, on the Hot 100, and six on the Billboard 200.

Taylor Swift follows with 24 No. 1s: 13 on the Billboard 200 – her total swelled on the Nov. 11 chart with the launch of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – and 11 on the Hot 100, likewise a new total thanks to the coronation of the album’s “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault].”

Swift is the only woman, and has joined The Beatles and Drake among all acts, with double-digit No. 1s on both rankings.

Rounding out the top five, Madonna has earned 21 No. 1s on the Billboard 200 and Hot

100 combined, with 12 on the latter and nine on the former.

(Notably, Paul McCartney accounts for a whopping 56 combined Billboard 200 and Hot 100 No. 1s, with The Beatles’ 39 augmented by 17 more by McCartney solo, including his output with Wings.)

The list of the superstars with the most combined No. 1s on the Billboard 200, which began with the survey dated March 24, 1956, and the Hot 100, with the edition dated Aug. 4, 1958.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

THE

Court Journal

By Renay Sambach This week, we delve into legal actions against the State, demanding monetary compensation for alleged wrongful imprisonment.

Stanwick Rose, a former Unicomer Inc. (Courts Guyana) employee, has launched a legal action against the company and the State, seeking over $20 million for alleged malicious prosecution and false imprisonment.

The lawsuit, initiated on November 8, by attorney Donavon Rangiah, lists the Attorney General of Guyana, Anil Nandlall, SC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, the Commissioner of Police (Ag), Clifton Hicken, Detective Constable Mark Griffith, and Unicomer Inc. as defendants.

In a press statement, it was disclosed that Rose a former cashier of Unicomer was charged for two separate indictable offences of ‘Larceny by Clerk or Servant’ contrary to section 184 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01 in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on the 14th November, 2022.

Rose had denied the charges of ‘Larceny by Clerk or Servant’ when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

He was accused of stealing $4,697,747 between December 1, 2018, and January 14, 2022, along with an additional $500,000 on December 31, 2021. The trial was overseen by Magistrate Rhondell Weever.

According to the document seen by this publication, the trial encountered obstacles when a prosecution witness disavowed statements. The document states that one of the prosecution witnesses, indicated that his ‘purported’ statement dated the 28th January, 2022, and his second ‘purported’ statement 28th January, 2022, (the latter ‘purported’ statement borne no signature), were not his statements and his former ‘purported’ statement bears a signature that is not his own.

To this, the lawyer said that Magistrate Weever held that the

PAGE 25

State faces monetary damages in wrongful incarceration lawsuits aforementioned evidence cannot be relied upon by the prosecution.

It was stated that on June 6, 2023, the Magistrate ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Rose, and the matter was dismissed for insufficient evidence.

As such, Rose now seeks compensation from the State and Unicomer for malicious prosecution and false imprisonment. Rose is seeking damages in excess of $10,000,000 for malicious prosecution; damages in excess of $10,000,000 for false imprisonment; exemplary and/or aggravated damages in excess of $1,000,000; interests in accordance with the law; such further and other relief the court and costs.

The legal documents underscore the harm to Rose’s reputation, mental anguish, hindrance in employment, and the adverse impact on his family during the proceedings. The lawsuit contends that Rose’s ability to secure alternative employment was compromised by the publication of his picture and name, negatively influencing his standing in society.

Additionally, it emphasises that Rose’s wife was pregnant during the prosecution, contributing to the mental anguish suffered by his family. The legal filing highlights the profound effects on Rose’s professional and personal life, painting a comprehensive picture of the damages incurred.

In December 2021, Colin Bailey, 57, who spent five and half years incarcerated for the capital offence of murder, sued the State for in excess of $100 million on claims of unlawful arrest, detention, inhumane and degrading treatment.

Despite there was no evidence against Bailey for the capital offence, he was charged with the August 2013 murder of his reputed wife Sirmattie Ramnaress – and spent years behind bars.

Bailey has always maintained his innocence. In his defence, Bailey had stated that he and Ramnaress met in 1992 and started living together.

According to him, at the time of her death, they were building a house in Diamond, East Bank Demerara. He explained that on the day his wife was found murdered, he was on duty at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for a State visit by the President of Venezuela.

After investigations, Bailey w a s i n i t i a l l y c h a rg e d f o r murdering his wife on November 24, 2016. Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in making her decision at the Demerara High Court, said that he should not have been before the court and that it was a waste of

judicial time, as such, Bailey was freed on October 13, 2021.

Following his release, Bailey filed legal proceedings against the State. He named the AG and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali- Hack, SC, as respondents in his Statement of Claim.

Through his lawyer, Nigel Hughes and Associates, Bailey is seeking a number of declarations and monetary compensation.

He is asking for a declaration that his arrest and detention was without lawful justification, that the decision by the DPP to institute murder charge was an abuse of power and also a declaration that the delay in his trial was a breach of his guaranteed right to liberty and a fair trial. He has also asked the High Court to declare that the failure to provide basic medical facilities at the Lusignan Prison and his exposure to COVID-19 was inhumane and degrading.

In addition, he has asked for several $100,000 sums to compensate individually for wrongful preferment of the charge of murder, wrongful detention, malicious prosecution and denial of his right to protection from inhumane and degrading treatment, among others.

In June 2023, Rehanna Reginald, a resident of East Canje, Berbice was awarded the total sum of $2,250,000 for the breaches of her Constitutional rights by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Reginald was unlawfully arrested by members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on November 7, 2020 and kept in custody until November 11, 2020. The woman was detained at both the New Amsterdam Police Station and the Sisters Police Station, where she was subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment. She was also deprived of her rights to speak with her family or even her attorneys-at-law.

Through her attorneys Dexter Todd and Dexter Smartt, the woman sued the State seeking a declaration that her fundamental rights guaranteed under articles 139(1) and 141 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana 1980 were violated by the State and its agents by imposing cruel and inhuman treatment, false imprisonment and wrongful deprivation of liberty on 7th to 11th November, 2020. She also sought compensation from the State for those breaches of her rights.

In January 2022, the acting Chief Justice Roxanne GeorgeWiltshire, ruled that Reginald was indeed unlawfully arrested and detained by the members of the GPF. The matter proceeded to trial for a decision on

Attorney General of Guyana, Anil Nandlall, S.C compensation. At trial, the court heard from the woman, how she was deprived of her right to an attorney and she was not told the reason for her arrest. Further, she was forced to stay in a cell with human faeces and urine on the floor of the cell since to the toilet present in the cell was not operational. She explained how she was forced to sleep on the concrete floor filled with filth, insects, human faeces and urine accompanied by a strong stench while on her menstrual cycle.

Reginald’s lawyers said that as a consequence of the police’s unlawful actions, their client suffered humiliation, distress, embarrassment, and was emotionally and mentally traumatised.

In her ruling on damages, the Chief Justice awarded the sum of $1,600,000 for the breaches of her fundamental rights guaranteed under articles 139(1) and 141 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana 1980 were violated by the State and its agents by imposing cruel and inhuman treatment, false imprisonment and wrongful deprivation of liberty.

The court also awarded $50,000 for the breach of her rights under article 149 of the Constitution of Guyana which guarantees protection from discrimination. The Chief Justice further awarded an additional sum of $350,000 as vindicatory damages since the police had no reason to arrest Reginald. Finally, she awarded Ms. Reginald a further $250,000 in costs.

T h e w o m a n ’s l a w y e r s reminded that the members of the GPF are not above the law and cannot arrest any citizen without a lawful reason. They highlighted that the rights of all citizens are enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana and the rights provided under said Constitution must be protected by the judiciary.

In September 2021, a Jamaican

woman who sued the State for unlawful detention and imprisonment has secured a $3.1 million judgment in the High Court.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire ruled yesterday that Sandra Russell, a Jamaican national, was unlawfully detained and deprived of her freedom of movement after she was held in custody for an additional five months after serving her three and a half months sentence for trafficking marijuana.

Russell had originally filed the claim for $70 million in damages but Justice George-Wiltshire awarded her compensation to the tune of $2.5 million for false imprisonment.

The Jamaican woman was awarded an additional $600,000 for being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment at the East La Penitence Police Station bringing her total judgment to $3.1 million. In addition, the Attorney General, who listed as respondent in the matter, was ordered to pay her $250,000 in costs.

The Chief Justice also ordered that Russell be deported to her home country at her own cost—it was ordered that the cost for sending her back to Jamaica be deducted from her award for damages.( In her lawsuit, Russell, 54, contended that she is a citizen of Jamaica who resided locally at Pouderoyen Squatting Area, Pouderoyen Village, West Bank Demerara.

She claimed that her fundamental rights as guaranteed under Articles 139, 141 and 148 of the Constitution were breached, encroached upon and infringed by the Guyana Police Force and Immigration Officers.

The woman had arrived in Guyana on May 13, 2013 but on June 25, 2018, she was held by police at Omai landing in the Essequibo River with 70 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.( Russell in an affidavit in support of her claim said, “I was taken to the New Amsterdam Prison to serve my sentence. I had a reduction of sentence to three and a half months in prison. I was released from prison on the 10th November, 2018.”

The woman said that she was released into the custody of a female Immigration Officer, who informed her that she had to be taken to the Immigration Office to be processed for deportation to Jamaica.

According to Russell, while travelling to the Immigration Office, the Immigration Officer received a phone call and later informed her that she would be taken to the East La Penitence Police Station instead. The woman said that she spent five month (Continued on page 46)

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Breakdown of the 2024 Grammy nominations: the biggest nominees, surprises, and snubs The Grammy nominations are here and there are some regulars killing it and some newcomers slaying. Billboard gave a run down of this year’s nominations, snubs and surprises leading the Grammy nominations this year are SZA with nine nominations including Record and Song of the Year nods for her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Kill Bill.”

Next up Phoebe Bridgers and Victoria Monet have seven nominations each with Victoria being nominated for Best New Artist against the likes of Coco Jones, Jelly Roll, Ice Spice and more. Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo will face off in the album of the year against SZA, Jon Batiste, and there are lots of new nominees like Troye Sivan in Best Pop Dance Recording against Kylie Minogue, Bebe, Rexha and more. One of the biggest snubs comes with Morgan Wallen. He is one of America’s top recording Singers SZA and Doja Cat artists, but he has yet to receive at the 2022 Grammy Awards a Grammy nomination in any category. There were also zero nominations for solo BTS members, both Jimin and Jungkook were eligible for Record of the Year for the full list head to Billboard.com.

Victoria Monét on Her Seven Grammy Nominations & Her Daughter Becoming the Youngest Nominee Ever: ‘Today Is a Big Win “I’m so proud of her, but she has no idea. She’s just on the phone watching Baby Shark, chilling, while we’re all celebrating,” Monét tells Billboard about her daughter after earning seven 2024 Grammy nominations of her own.

“She’s like, kind of panicking, because she doesn’t know why we’re all screaming. I know I’ll be able to explain it to her when she gets older, and she’ll definitely appreciate it because she’s already into

music and is starting to write songs unknowingly. She’s making potty songs and all that kind of stuff. So I’m super excited that this will be something that she has forever. I’m already thinking about her wardrobe for the Grammys.”

Though parenting the youngest Grammynominated artist is a humble flex, Monét’s bragging rights result from her own songwriting abilities.

Lauded as a premier songwriter thanks in part to

Ariana Grande’s smashes “Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings,” Monét became an R&B contender this year when she released her project Jaguar II. Headlined by her buzzy single “On My Mama,” Monét served Black Girl Magic on a song brimming with positive affirmations and swagger.

With her Grammy nominations including best new artist and record of the year, Monét is finally becoming the star she always saw in the mirror.

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Cher, Elton John & More to Celebrate Switch to Christmas Music on iHeartRadio Holiday Special The announcement of the Nov. 22 special coincides with the switch to holiday music on iHeartRadio stations nationwide. iHeartMedia is getting in the festive mood with the return of the iHeartRadio Holiday Special, which will take over AC and Classic Hits stations nationwide and the iHeartRadio app on Nov. 22.

Hosted by Mario Lopez, the two-hour special event will feature interviews with Cher, Elton John, Train, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Meghan Trainor, Rob Thomas, and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic discussing their favorite holiday songs and traditions.

Cher on Making Her First Holiday Record: ‘I Had No Intention of Doing a Christmas…

The announcement comes Friday (Nov. 10), which marks iHeartRadio’s annual flip to holiday music on more than 85 stations across the country.

“Listeners look forward to that special day when we convert so many of our stations to Christmas music because it means that the holiday season has really started,” said Tom Poleman, chief programming officer for iHeartMedia, in a press statement. “To celebrate we are bringing back the iHeartRadio Holiday Special with Cher, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Elton John, Meghan Trainor, Rob Thomas, Ryan Tedder and Train who will be sharing their personal holiday memories.”

It’s no surprise that Cher will make an iconic

Cher arrives to the Los Angeles premiere of ‘The Promise’ at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 12, 2017 in Hollywood, Calif.

appearance during the special, as she’s fresh off the release of her first holiday album, Christmas, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Holiday Albums chart last month.

Produced by her longtime producer Mark Taylor, the set includes the legend’s interpretations of “Santa Baby,” “Run Rudolph Run” and “Please Come Home For Christmas.”

Cher recently told Billboard that she “had no intention of doing a Christmas album. But [Warner Records] said, ‘Why don’t you do a Christmas album, Cher?’ and I said if I can do my version I’ll do it, and they were very pleasant.”

Elton John is celebrating 50 years of his jingly single “Step Into Christmas,”

which so far peaked at No. 84 on Billboard‘s Holiday 100 chart in 2017.

Listeners can hear holiday music across the iHeartRadio app on stations including iHeartChristmas, playing all the holiday favorites; North Pole Radio, hosted by Santa Claus and featuring a message line where kids can leave Christmas wishes for the big m a n h i m s e l f ; iHeartChristmas Classics, the place to hear all the timeless holiday classics; or holiday channels playing all kinds of music, including iHeartCountry Christmas, iHeartChristmas Jazz, iHeartChristmas R&B, iHeartChristmas Rock, Holiday Season Radio and more. Search “iHeart Holiday” in the app to find all the Christmas music options.

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This week in History Comic book writer Stan Lee dies November 12 Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) died on November 12, 2018. Stan Lee was an American comic b o o k w r i t e r, e d i t o r, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Comics which would later become Marvel Comics.

He was the primary creative leader for two decades, leading its expansion from a small division of a publishing house to a multimedia corporation that dominated the comics and film industries.

In collaboration with o t h e r s a t Marvel—particularly cowriters/artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko—he cocreated iconic characters, including superheroes Spider-Man, the X-Men,

Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Ant-Man, the Wasp, the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, the Scarlet Witch, and Black Widow. These and other characters’ introductions in the 1960s pioneered a more naturalistic approach in superhero comics, and in the 1970s Lee challenged the restrictions of the Comics Code Authority, indirectly leading to changes in its policies. In the 1980s he pursued the development of Marvel properties in other media, with mixed results.

Following his retirement from Marvel in the 1990s, Lee remained a public figurehead for the company, and frequently made cameo appearances in films and television shows based on Marvel characters on which he received an executive producer credit, which

American comic book writer Stan Lee allowed him to become the highest-grossing person in film of all time by a large margin. He continued independent creative ventures into his 90s until his death in 2018.

Lee was inducted into the comic book industry’s Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995.

He received the NEA’s National Medal of Arts in 2008.

American politician Nancy Pelosi is first woman to be named leader of a party in house of Congress November 14 Thomas D’Alesandro Jr. She graduated from Chosen to succeed Richard Gephardt as Trinity College, Washington in 1962 and leader of the Democratic Party in the U.S. married businessman Paul Pelosi the next House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi of year; the two had met while both were California became the first woman to be students. named leader of either party in either house They moved to New York City before of Congress. settling down in San Francisco with Pelosi served as the 52nd their children. Focused on raising speaker of the United States her family, Pelosi stepped into House of Representatives politics as a volunteer for the from 2007 to 2011 and Democratic Party in the again from 2019 to 2023. A 1960s. member of the Democratic After years of party Party, she was the first work, she was first elected woman elected Speaker to Congress in a 1987 and the first woman to lead special election and is now a major political party in in her 19th term; she is the American either chamber of Congress, d e a n o f C a l i f o r n i a ’s Politician, leading the House Democrats congressional delegation.

Nancy Pelosi from 2003 to 2023. A member of Pelosi steadily rose through the the House since 1987, Pelosi currently ranks of the House Democratic Caucus represents California’s 11th congressional to be elected House minority whip in 2001 district, which includes most of San and elevated to House minority leader a year Francisco. later, becoming the first woman to hold each She was born and raised in Baltimore, and of those positions in either chamber of is the daughter of mayor and Congressman Congress.

Bhutto became first Terrorist attacks in Paris Benazir woman in modern history The aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks

November 13 A series of coordinated militant attacks by ISIL extremists took place on Friday, 13 November 2015 in Paris, France, and the city’s northern suburb, Saint-Denis.

Beginning at 21:16, three suicide bombers struck outside the Stade de France in SaintDenis, during an international football match, after failing to gain entry to the stadium.

Another group of attackers then fired on crowded cafés and restaurants in Paris, with one of them also detonating an explosive, killing himself in the process. A third group carried out another mass shooting and took hostages at an Eagles of Death Metal concert attended by 1,500 people in the Bataclan theatre, leading to a stand-off with police. The attackers were either shot or detonated suicide vests when police raided the theatre.

The attackers killed 130 people, including 90 at the Bataclan theatre. Another 416 people were injured, almost 100 critically. Seven of the attackers were also killed. The attacks

were the deadliest in metropolitan France since the Paris massacre of 1961, and the deadliest in the European Union since the Madrid train bombings of 2004. The attacks came one day after similar attacks in Beirut, Lebanon. France had been on high alert since the January 2015 attacks on Charlie Hebdo offices and a Jewish supermarket in Paris that killed 17 people.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attacks (as they had done with the Beirut attacks a day prior),saying that it was retaliation for French airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq The president of France, François Hollande, said the attacks were an act of war

by Islamic State. The attacks were planned in Syria and organised by a terrorist cell based in Belgium. Two of the Paris attackers were Iraqis, but most were born in France or Belgium, and had fought in Syria. Some of the attackers had returned to Europe among the flow of migrants and refugees from Syria.

to lead a Muslim country November 16 Benazir Bhutto, elected prime minister of Pakistan on this day in 1988, became the first woman in modern history to lead a Muslim country, serving as prime minister from November 16, 1988.

She remained Prime Minister until 1990 and then she was elected again from 1993 to 1996.

The Pakistani politician and stateswoman was the first woman elected to head a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country.

Ideologically a liberal and a secularist, she chaired or cochaired the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) from the early 1980s until her assassination in 2007.

Of mixed Sindhi and Kurdish parentage, Bhutto was born in Karachi to a politically important, wealthy aristocratic family.

She studied at Harvard

Benazir Bhutto University and the University of Oxford, where she was President of the Oxford Union.

Her father, the PPP leader Zulfikar Bhutto, was elected Prime Minister on a socialist platform in 1973.

She returned to Pakistan in 1977, shortly before her father was ousted in a military coup and executed.

Bhutto and her mother Nusrat took control of the PPP and led the country’s Movement for the Restoration of Democracy; Bhutto was repeatedly

imprisoned by Muhammad Z i a - u l - H a q ’s m i l i t a r y government and then selfexiled to Britain in 1984.

She returned in 1986 and—influenced by T h a t c h e r i t e economics—transformed the PPP’s platform from a socialist to a liberal one, before leading it to victory in the 1988 election.

As Prime Minister, her attempts at reform were stifled by conservative and Islamist forces, including President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and the powerful military.

Her administration was accused of corruption and nepotism and dismissed by Khan in 1990. Intelligence services rigged that year’s election to ensure a victory for the conservative Islamic Democratic Alliance (IJI), at which point Bhutto became Leader of the Opposition.

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g stin s... e r e re Int eatu Cr

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Frilled Lizard A Frilled Lizard

A Frilled Lizard when threatened

mammals.

(A National Geographic Article) National GeographicUndoubtedly, one of the quirkiest sights in nature is the gangly retreat of an Australian frilled lizard.

Defensive Behavior When this unique creature feels threatened, it rises on its hind legs, opens its yellow-colored mouth, unfurls the colorful, pleated skin flap that encircles its head, and hisses. If an attacker is un-intimidated by

these antics, the lizard simply turns tail, mouth and frill open, and bolts, legs splaying left and right. It continues its deliberate run without stopping or looking back until it reaches the safety of a tree.

Habitat and Diet Frilled lizards, or “frillnecks,” are members of the dragon family that live in the tropical and warm temperate forests and savanna woodlands of northern Australia. They spend most of their lives in

Home Remedies for Glowing Skin

Article produced by: Healthline Glowing skin is one way to describe healthy skin.

Here are 10 ways to enhance your skin that you can do at home. Your skin is the largest organ that you have, so you want to take care of it.

Glowing skin is typically seen as a sign of health and vitality. Dull or dry skin, on the other hand, can make you feel less than your best.

1. Soothe skin with virgin coconut oil Coconut oil has antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and healing properties. But using coconut oil on your face may not work for every skin type. Do not use if you have allergies to coconut.

If you’re able to apply it without irritation, it can be used in a number of ways.

You can use coconut oil to: -take off makeup -soothe your skin barrier -promote dewy-looking skin that’s healthy below the surface layer Research Trusted Source shows that coconut oil is a good moisturizer. Try massaging a small amount of coconut oil onto your face.

Let it soak in for a few minutes before washing off with your normal cleanser.

2. Use aloe vera to keep skin strong and healthy Aloe vera has healing properties and may stimulate new cell growth. It also soothes and moisturizes (Continued on page 42)

the trees, but descend occasionally to feed on ants and small lizards. Other menu items include spiders, cicadas, termites, and small

Size They vary in color and size from region to region.

On average, the larger adults reach about 3 feet from head to tail and weigh up to 1.1 pounds.

Threats to Survival Their main predators are birds of prey, larger lizards,

snakes, dingoes and feral cats.

They are currently not threatened or protected, but habitat reduction and predation in some areas, particularly by feral cats, is affecting their populations.

Reproduction Females lay 8 to 23 tiny eggs in an underground nest,

and hatchlings emerge fully independent and capable of hunting and utilizing their frill. Their lifespan in the wild is unknown, but specimens in captivity have lived 20 years.

Source of Information: https://www.nationalgeogra phic.com/animals/reptiles/fa cts/frilled-lizard

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‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’ arrives in theaters worldwide on Dec. 1 Beyonce during her Renaissance Tour

BeyHive, it’s time to get in formation On Thursday, Beyoncé released the worldwide trailer for her upcoming concert film Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, several weeks out from its December 1 release date.

After dropping a teaser featuring behind-the-scenes footage and a voiceover when she announced the project, the new visual offers fans a preview of some of the live footage in the highly anticipated film.

The clip teasing the theatrical version of the pop s u p e r s t a r ’s a c c l a i m e d Renaissance World Tour opens to her silhouette before gracing an audience st

Keke Palmer Granted Temporary Sole Custody of Son Leodis, 8 Months, with No Visitation for Ex Darius Jackson

Palmer and son Leo (L), Darius Jackson (R).

PHOTO: KEKE PALMER/X; DEREK WHITE/WIREIMAGE Keke Palmer has been granted temporary sole custody of her 8-month-old son.

On Thursday, the Nope actress, 30, filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order against the infant’s father, Darius Jackson, in Los Angeles.

Palmer asked the court for full physical and legal custody of Leodis, detailing

multiple allegations of physical abuse in the filing, according to documents reviewed by PEOPLE. Mother and son have also been granted a temporary restraining order following claims of abuse in a court filing Thursday.

In response to the emergency filing, the Los Angeles County judge (Continued on page 47)

of thousands. “I close my eyes and travel through realms of space and time,” Queen Bey, 42, says in a voice over. “Reality holds no power or control of my state of mind on my voyage to find a source to charge my inner being. Assembly line frequency as I tap my MPC.” As vulnerable backstage clips — including shots with her 11-year-old daughter Blue Ivy and husband JAY-Z — are interspersed with shots of her on stage, Beyoncé opens up about her identity and the challenges that she’s faced. She says, “In this world that is very male-dominated, I’ve had to be really tough. To balance motherhood and being on

this stage, it just reminds me of who I really am.”

The minute-and-a-halflong teaser then bursts into glimpses of the Grammy winner’s record-breaking stage show, including brief looks at the spectacular wardrobe and choreography while audio of her hit “Break My Soul” plays.

All the Celebrities Who’ve Attended Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance’ World Tour “You are the visual baby.

It’s a new birth. I hope you feel liberated or the renaissance is not over,” the “America Has a Problem” singer says as the visual concludes.

In the caption for the trailer, the official synopsis says the concert film “accentuates the journey of RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR, from its inception, to the opening in Stockholm, Sweden, to the finale in Kansas City, Missouri.”

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Home Remedies for Glowing Skin From page 33 without clogging pores. Using aloe vera after you’ve washed your face each day may give your skin that healthy glow. It’s possible to be allergic to aloe vera. Test it first by rubbing a small amount on your forearm and if there’s no reaction in 24 hours, it should be safe to use.

3. Moisturize properly after washing your face Moisturize your skin with products that lock in moisture, promote healing, and have antioxidant properties to encourage a glowing, youthful look. Don’t exfoliate your skin when it feels dry, and don’t skip moisturizer just because your face feels oily.

Apply moisturizer to your skin when it’s still wet from a shower or

from rinsing your face. This will lock in extra moisture rather than working on a surface level to make your face feel smooth.

4. Wear sunscreen daily Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above can prevent skin cancer. Keeping your skin shielded from harmful UV rays also guards against photoaging, which is the process of skin aging. Make sure to apply a product with sunscreen every morning, even on days when it’s raining or the sky is overcast.

5. Find a cleansing routine that works You don’t want to rob your skin of moisture by washing it too often, and you don’t want to encourage your pores to produce too much extra oil to compensate for too

much washing. Washing your face after you’ve worked up a sweat, first thing in the morning, and right before bed is typically the sweet spot for healthy skin.

6. Avoid smoke and secondhand smoke When you expose your skin to cigarette smoke, you’re coating your face with all sorts of chemical toxins. This ups the oxidative stress in your skin cells, leading to prematurely aged skin.

If you smoke, consider your skin as another reason to quit.

7. Drink more water Your skin is made up of cells that need water to function well.

The connection to drinking water and having healthy skin is still ongoing, but at least one 2015 study

concluded there’s a strong link between drinking more water and having healthier skin.

Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

8. Eat to nourish your skin Eating a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables will boost the vitamins and antioxidants in your body. According to the Mayo Clinic, eating healthy fats, like fish oils, and staying away from processed foods with lots of preservatives may have a direct connection to healthier looking skin.

9. Take probiotics Probiotic supplements may: boost your immune system improve your digestion reduce bloating and inflammation in your

digestive tract. According to one 2014 study, probiotics can contribute to healthy hair and visibly glowing skin, too.

10. Shorten your shower Steam and heat can open pores and help you get rid of toxins. But running hot water over your skin for more than a few minutes at a time can strip away oil from your skin, leaving it looking tired and dull. Try to minimize your skin’s exposure to water that’s extremely hot. You may also consider cooling down the temperature in the latter part of your shower to improve circulation, which may give your face a more toned and youthful appearance. As an added benefit, this might even boost your immune system.

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GNBS IN FOCUS

PROVIDING EXCELLENT ACCOMODATION WITH GNBS’ BnB CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME Opening a Bed and Breakfast (BnB) facility can be a rewarding venture for individuals with a passion for hospitality and a desire to create unique, memorable experiences for guests. Such facilities have also become the preferred choice of accommodation for visitors to Guyana who are looking to experience the country’s local culture, cuisine, and attractions while making lifelong friendships.

Whether you are managing an established facility or considering a new endeavor, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) BnB Certification programme offers an opportunity to elevate your business. The BnB Certification programme is premised on the National Standard GYS 514:2022– Requirements for Bed and breakfast facilities.

The standard describes BnB businesses as one.

The standard was developed in 2016 and amended in 2022 with inputs from various stakeholders including the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Tourism and Hospitality Association (THAG), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and others.

The document outlines

the requirements for BnB facilities operating in Guyana to improve the quality of services to visitors who choose this accommodation style.

It encompasses considerations for room size, ensuring freedom of movement and privacy, bed and sheet coverings, blackout curtains, meshed windows and a bedside lamp as well as other essential furniture.

Provisions are also made for fire safety, pest control, security, parking area, a policy for payments and cancellation of reservations, bottled water for guests and a caretaker among other requirements.

To foster standardization within this sector, the certification programme was initiated in 2023 and is accessible to all BnB providers and prospective investors.

These facilities can be certified in Categories A, B or C. The GNBS has so far certified Casa De Frances Hotel located at 483 Plantation Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and is currently vetting a number of applicants to be certified shortly. The certification is valid for one year pending renewal. As Guyana

observes Tourism Awareness Month under the theme “ C u l t u r a l Ta p e s t r y : Investing in our people, enriching our heritage,” the GNBS is encouraging owners of bed and breakfast facilities to join the certification programme. To do so, interested applicants must have a legally registered establishment and are required to fill an application form which is

available on the GNBS’ website – www.gnbsgy.org.

Proprietors must also agree to having the Bureau’s Technical Officers assess the establishment and thereafter i m p l e m e n t t h e recommendations proposed by the GNBS team before the certification is granted.

In addition to the BnB Certification programme, stakeholders can explore other tourism-related

standards, including the Code of Practice for assessment, licensing, registration, classification, and grading of the accommodation sector (GCP 15:2003), focusing on monitoring and managing hotels, apartments, and guesthouses. There is also the Code of Practice for tour operators and tour guides (GCP 18:2003) which outlines acceptable

practices, and the Code of Practice for quality management in the restaurant service (GCP 17:2003) which provides guidelines for maintaining high standards.

For more information, call the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064 or 2190065, or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org.

You can also WhatsApp us on +592 692 4627 (GNBS).

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CONSUMER CONCERNS

Diwali Shubh! Happy Diwali!

By Pat Dial

T

he happy season of Diwali is with us again. Diwali comes in the lunar month of Kartick and when this is translated into a solar year, it will fall in the months of October and November.

Easter uses the lunar calendar and similarly when translated into the solar year, it usually falls between March and April.

Paradoxically, Guyana, one of the youngest countries in the world, celebrates one of the most ancient festivals known to human beings.

The origins of Diwali are lost in the mists of Time but it goes back to at least 3000 years and over these years various explanations of its origin have become attached to it.

In this offering, we shall review the three of the most known in Guyana: There was a terrible demon named Narakasura

who terrorized the inhabitants of both Heaven and Earth.

He had practised the most stringent disciplines and austerities and was able to develop divine powers to the extent that no one could have killed him except his mother. Among the terrors he inflicted on the world was his kidnapping of 16,000 young women.

Eventually, the people importuned Lord Vishnu for help but he could offer no help on his own but promised them he will incarnate as Lord Krishna who will have as his wife, Satyabhama.

In a clash between Krishna and Narakasura, Satyabhama shot him with her arrows which eliminated him. Krishna explained that Satyabhama was N a r a k a s u r a ’s m o t h e r incarnate. The world then became free of criminality and the darkness of Narakasura’s presence.

It was also a lesson to the world that women could do

whatever men could do.

Diwali celebrates the destruction of that demon.

The other legend is that Diwali is devoted to the worship of Mahalaxmi, both as represented in her usual icon where from one of her hands a steady stream of gold sovereigns fall signifying wealth and as Dhanwantri signifying health and wellbeing.

On the five nights of Diwali, Laxmi is worshipped and invoked as the dispenser of wealth, health and learning.

In Guyana she is popularly worshipped and Diwali is closely associated with her. The third legend which is all pervasive in Guyana concerns Lord Rama. Lord Rama was heir to the throne of the kingdom of Ayodhya but his step mother, one of the influential queens, desired her own son Bharat should be king.

By her machinations, she managed to have Rama exiled for 14 years so that

Bharat could then assume the throne. Bharat saw through his mother’s scheme, refused to sit on the throne and declared that he would hold the throne only as regent until Rama’s return.

Rama then set out for the deep forests with his younger brother, Laxman and his wife Sita where they managed to survive.

The demon king of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) known as Ravana heard of Rama’s exile and knew of his wife Sita’s great beauty and accomplishments and became filled with desire to possess her.

Whenever Rama was away from home he drew a safety cordon around his hut which no one could enter and if Sita kept within it, no harm could befall her.

Ravan visited the hut and by clever deceit managed to have Sita step over the cordon, seized her and took her off to Sri Lanka.

Rama eventually found out what had happened and

he and his brother Laxman set out for Ravan’s kingdom of Sri Lanka to rescue her.

Hanuman befriended him and assisted him with an army and built a bridge to Sri Lanka. They then invaded Ravan’s kingdom, defeated and killed him, rescued Sita, and placed his brother Vibhushan, a very able and compassionate man on the throne.

News of Lord Rama’s victory spread and the population knew he and his entourage which included Hanuman would be on their way to Ayodhya.

All along the streets and lanes as well as the houses of the city were lit with thousands of small lamps to welcome Rama and the tradition of Diwali illuminations dates from this time. The life of Lord Rama and the moral teachings it enshrined as well as its interesting story captured the imagination of writers in the main languages of India and they wrote Ramayanas.

In Guyana, the one which is used is the one written by Tulsi Das in the dialect spoken in Uttar Pradesh/Bihar, an area from which the ancestors of most Indo-Guyanese originated.

Today, the moral lessons of Diwali, derived from whatever tradition or source, are stressed in the temples and in homes: Darkness must always give way to Light; truth, integrity, honesty must always be upheld; women must be respected; Lord Rama’s governance of Ayodhya should provide a model for all governments and rulers; and the traditions of dignified rejoicing and feasting must be maintained; and the poor and less privileged must be remembered.

In Guyana, citizens of every race and religion participate in the Diwali celebrations and in particular line the streets to enjoy the colourful Diwali Parade on the night before Diwali.

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State faces monetary damages in wrongful incarceration lawsuits From page 25 languishing in the East La Penitence lockup before she was released on July 7, 2019 on $10, 000 bail, only after the intervention of Kaieteur News.( Russell swore in the Affidavit that, “Whilst I was at the East La Penitence Police Station, I was informed by a female officer and verily believe that a Kaieteur News reporter came to the police station to interview me and they sent the reporter away.” She said that while in custody, she was never taken before a Judge or Magistrate.

Russell pointed out that the conditions at the East La Penitence

Police Station were poor. She disclosed that she was without proper and adequate meals and supplements and as a result had to be taken to the East La Penitence Heath Centre for medications.

She had further complained that, “While at the East La Penitence Police Station, I became depressed and stressed.

At the East La Penitence Station, the lighting and ventilation were very poor and I spent all the time in the cell and had no leisure or physical activities.”

In all the circumstances, the Jamaican national held that the police had no legal authority to

keep her in custody after 72 hours, without charging her or seeking an extension of time from the courts.

In her lawsuit filed against the Attorney General, Commissioner of Police and Chief Immigration Officer, Russell had claimed in excess of $50M for false imprisonment; a declaration that she suffered inhuman, degrading treatment by the State; a declaration that the Guyana Police Force and Immigration Officers of the State had no legal authority to further imprison her beyond her prison sentence; a declaration that the Guyana Police Force and Immigration falsely imprisoned

her.

In addition, she also wanted, $10M per day for everyday she spent in unlawful custody, in excess

of $20M for inhumane and degrading treatment, and in excess of $20M for the breach of her freedom of movement.

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

Keke Palmer Granted Temporary Sole Custody of Son Leodis, 8 Months...

From page 39 granted a temporary restraining order that states that Jackson must stay at least 100 yards away from both the actress and their son, as well as any childcare or schooling established for the infant.\ In addition to granting Palmer temporary sole physical and legal custody of Leo, the temporary restraining order states that Jackson is not allowed to have visitation with his son, with a hearing set for Dec. 5 to determine further action on the temporary arrangement.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-todate on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Keke Palmer Shares Sweet Video Dancing with Son Leo: ‘You Are the Love of My Life’ Jackson seemed to address the situation late Thursday, sharing a photo of himself holding Leo in a tweet on X (formerly known as Twitter). “I love you, son. See you soon,” he captioned the shot.

In the declaration attached to Thursday’s filing, Palmer alleges there were “many instances of physical violence, including striking and grabbing me around the neck, descriptions of Darius destroying my personal property, including diaries and

prescription eyeglasses, throwing my belongings into the street, throwing my car keys to prevent me from driving away, hitting me in front of our son, spewing profanities about me to our son, threatening to kill himself with a gun if I left him, harassment, and other physical and emotional abuse.”

Reps and lawyers for Palmer have not responded to multiple requests from PEOPLE for comment. A rep for Jackson had no comment when reached by PEOPLE. Palmer and Jackson’s issues briefly went public in July when Jackson called her out for wearing a fitted, black bodysuit under a sheer dress to watch Usher perform at his Las Vegas Residency.

“We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is,” Jackson wrote in one since-deleted tweet.

“This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe. I rest my case.”

The actress told PEOPLE in October she felt the need to make changes in how transparent she’s willing to be with the public on social media.

“I’m having my own personal boundaries for what I feel like I want out there or what I want to give people the opportunity to speak on,” she said.

PAGE 47

PAGE 48

WHY

Kaieteur News

Junior page PAINTED PINECONE TURKEYS

HE CARRIED THE TURKEY

By James Baldwin (this short story is from his book Fifty Famous People - A Book of Short Stories, 1912 and is in the Public Domain) In Richmond, Virginia, one Saturday morning, an old man went into the market to buy something. He was dressed plainly, his coat was worn, and his hat was dingy.

On his arm he carried a small basket.

"I wish to get a fowl for to-morrow's dinner," he said.

The market man showed him a fat turkey, plump and white and ready for roasting.

"Ah! that is just what I want," said the old man. "My wife will be delighted with it."

He asked the price and paid for it. The market man wrapped a paper round it and put it in the basket.

Just then a young man stepped up. "I will take one of those turkeys," he said. He was dressed in fine style and carried a small cane.

"Shall I wrap it up for you?" asked the market man. " Ye s , h e r e i s y o u r money," answered the young gentleman; "and send it to my house at once."

"I cannot do that," said the market man. "My errand boy is sick to- day, and there is no one else to send.

Besides, it is not our custom

to deliver goods."

"Then how am I to get it home?" asked the young gentleman.

"I suppose you will have to carry it yourself," said the market man. "It is not heavy."

"Carry it myself! Who do you think I am? Fancy me carrying a turkey along the street!" said the young gentleman; and he began to grow very angry. The old man who had bought the first turkey was standing quite near. He had heard all that was said.

"Excuse me, sir," he said; "but may I ask where you live?"

"I live at Number 39, Blank Street," answered the young gentleman; "and my name is Johnson."

"Well, that is lucky," said the old man, smiling. "I happen to be going that way, and I will carry your turkey, if you will allow me."

"Oh, certainly!" said Mr. Johnson. "Here it is. You may follow me."

When they reached Mr. Johnson's house, the old man politely handed him the turkey and turned to go.

"Here, my friend, what shall I pay you?" said the

ETRY

O FUN WITH P

I think it is only right.

That I must always try to be good, To say and do the correct thing, And behave as well as I could.

I will always try to be honest, In whatever I have to do, Not to take what belongs to others, And always speak what is true.

I will try to be always fair, Whenever I work or play, Always make sure I do not cheat, And be honest in every way.

Above all, I will not be selfish, Especially with those who have less than me; This will make me feel so good, As they become grateful to me.

Sunday November 12, 2023

young gentleman. " O h , n o t h i n g , s i r, nothing," answered the old man. "It was no trouble to me, and you are welcome."

He bowed and went on.

Young Mr. Johnson looked after him and wondered.

Then he turned and walked briskly back to the market.

"Who is that polite old gentleman who carried my turkey for me?" he asked of the market man.

"That is John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States. He is one of the greatest men in our country," was the answer.

The young gentleman was surprised and ashamed.

"Why did he offer to carry my turkey?" he asked.

"He wished to teach you a lesson," answered the market man.

"What sort of lesson?"

"He wished to teach you that no man should feel himself too fine to carry his own packages."

"Oh, no!" said another man who had seen and heard it all. "Judge Marshall carried the turkey simply because he wished to be kind and obliging. That is his way."

November 15, 2017

By Katie Materials: 1. pinecones 2. paint. Orange, red, yellow.

3. paint brushes 4. pom poms 5. googly eyes 6. scraps of felt. in both orange and red – orange for the beak, and red for the waddle.

7.glue Instructions The first thing you need to do is start painting the pinecone scales. Start with yellow, then red and then finish off with orange paint.

Leave some of the scales naturally because the brown colour looked so great with the red, yellow, and orange colours. When painting the scales, you want to make

s u r e you are spreadi ng each colour around and not bunching all the reds in one area, etc. You need to try to disperse each colour throughout.

Also, you will probably find that you need to do 2 coats of paint. After you do the first coat for each colour you should then be able to do the second coat almost right away – the paint dries relatively quickly.

Now you need to make the turkey faces by gluing on two googly eyes. next, you'll need to cut out a small triangle from your orange felt, and a waddle from your red felt. i just freehanded the

waddle – a rounded shape at the bottom with a thinner pointed shape at the top.

There is a piece of pinecone that sticks out of the very top/front of the pinecone and you'll need to carefully cut that off, and potentially a few scales as well, to nestle the turkey face at the front of the pinecone. add some glue to the back of the pom-pom and hold it in place until it dries.

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

TEEN TIME Connecting with the Almighty Creator will keep your Spirit renewed continuously

W

hen you sincerely believe that there is an Almighty God who is all-good and allpowerful, you will form a channel through which His power can flow to you.

When you have faith that He can and will heal your personality of feelings of inferiority and lack of confidence in your own abilities, He will respond and give you the power to build up feelings of selfconfidence.

When you accept the idea that He is always at your side to help you in any endeavour, you will be saturated with belief in yourself and move forward purposefully. When you are convinced that all power comes from our Creator, that

this power is limitless and yours for the asking, such faith will give you the confidence to utilise it to achieve your objectives.

Develop the confidence that He will give you the power and strength to do all that is necessary for your life, and He will respond just as positively to help you to achieve all your goals in life.

This sincere and permanent faith in the Almighty Creator will allow His power to flow through you to accomplish all to which you set your mind.

Believe that God is the

source of all energy, in whatever form or quantity, and you will always be able to tap into this limitless source of power.

The contact we thus set up by the removal of all doubt of His goodness and supreme generosity will facilitate this free flow of His creative energy into our mind, body and spirit.

We can further enhance

this flow of creative energy by the constant practice of prayer, whenever and wherever we are to tap into this power of the Almighty to make our life a just and prosperous one. If you have not been practising any form of religion, or simple prayer, start on this as a daily habit and you will immediately start to observe positive changes to your life.

PAGE 49

Our Trustworthy

God

By Lenora McWhorter Glory to our loving Lord, who is a Mighty God and a faithful friend; His divine love for us is pure and perfect, and His great mercy knows no end.

God comforts those who are troubled, and to the weak He gives strength; He fills the empty souls with joy and makes the anxious hearts content.

Our God binds the broken spirits, and He will calm all our fears; God meets us in the valley of weeping, and with His love, He dries our tears.

Our faithful Lord hears our prayers, and He sees our hurts and pain; He shines His light in our darkness and sends sunshine after the rain.

God is awesome and trustworthy.

He's an amazing God, like no other; He walks with us through hard times and sticks closer than any brother.

There's no problem God can't solve, and there's no need He cannot meet; God promises to always be with us, and every promise given, He will keep!

The measure of your faith in the Almighty will determine how much He can help you in all your endeavours.

Solutions to last week’s Fall Word Scramble

INKIES

the cage, with the indicated math operation. For example, 12× means you can multiply the values together to produce 12.

Numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the same row or column.

SLITHERLINK

Fill in the blank squares so that each row and each column contain all of the digits 1 thru 5.

The heavy lines indicate areas (called cages) that contain groups of numbers that can be combined (in any order) to produce the result shown in

PAGE 50

6 Things You Should Be Doing to Take Care of Your Tongue 1. Brush your tongue regularly Each time you brush your teeth, it is important to remember to brush your tongue as well. Start by applying a small dab of toothpaste to your toothbrush. Then, brush from the back of the mouth toward the opening with a downward motion. This will allow you to expel the odor-causing bacteria from your mouth.

Make sure to only use gentle pressure during this process so as not to damage your tongue. Then, simply rinse with water!

2. Try a tongue scraper You can even more thoroughly clean your tongue by using a tongue scraper. This tool is made from a flexible, soft plastic that allows you to lightly scrape away the mucus layer that resides on your tongue, particularly in the center of the tongue. After each swipe of your tongue, simply wash the scraper under warm water to remove the bacteria. If you find that this causes your tongue to feel sore, you could be scraping it too hard. Make sure you're cleaning slowly with light pressure.

3. Rinse well Each time you clean your tongue, make sure you thoroughly rinse out your mouth with water. This will help you to be rid of the bacteria that reside there. You might also consider using a warm saline solution—made by simply mixing water and a teaspoon of salt—to keep your tongue relatively clear of harmful bacteria.

4. Drink green tea Drinking green tea is a great way to help keep your tongue clean. Doing so greatly reduces the bacteria in your mouth.

Therefore, drinking green tea helps to kill off odor-causing bacteria that can linger on the tongue.

5. Monitor the color of your tongue It is important to check in on the color of your tongue from time to time, as this can be used to examine the state of your health. A healthy tongue is meant to be light pink and can have a slight white coating. However, a definitively white tongue can be indicative of dehydration and even a fungal infection. If your tongue is pale, it could mean that you have a vitamin deficiency.

If your tongue is bright red, on the other hand, it could be a warning sign for an infection or even a heart or blood disorder.

Therefore, if you notice any abnormal coloring to your tongue, be sure to have a medical professional take a look.

6. Drink plenty of water Staying hydrated is important to the overall health and functionality of your entire body. Drinking water also helps to wash away the bacteria and food debris from your tongue and teeth. Therefore, make sure you're drinking plenty of water to stay in good health. https://www.carillondental.com/blog/six-things-youshould-be-doing-to-take-care-of-your-tongue/

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

PAGE 57

The festival of lights commemorates new beginnings for believers

D

iwali, also known as Deepavali around the world is a Hindu holiday that is warmly celebrated by all religions and ethnicities in Guyana.

It is that time of year when families get together to usher in new beginnings as this auspicious day coincides with the Hindu New Year.

Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. To celebrate, houses are decorated with diyas, candles and colourful lights and huge firework displays are held while families feast and share gifts.

The festival usually falls between the middle of October and the middle of November, although this is decided upon by the Hindu lunar calendar.

While each faith has its own reason to celebrate the festival, one of the most popular stories told is the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravanna in the 15th century

BC. Diwali marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya with Maa Sita and Lord Lakshman after spending 14 years in exile and defeating the King of Lanka, Ravana.

According to legends, Lord Rama, the Prince of Ayodhya, returned home (Ayodhya) from vanvas (exile) after 14 years and defeated Ravana - the King of Lanka - on the auspicious occasion of Diwali - accompanied

by Mata Sita and Lakshman.

People of Ayodhya celebrated his return by lighting the streets and every home of Ayodhya with rows of lamps and diyas. The tradition has continued to date and is celebrated as the Festival of Lights.

Diwali also marks the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. During this time, people worship Gods and Goddesses like Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, which helps them immerse themselves in traditions and awakens them spiritually.

Deepavali is also an auspicious time for Hindus,

bringing them luck and prosperity. Thus, it marks new beginnings for them - as they start new ventures, businesses and their financial year.

The festival is marked by large firework displays, to remember the celebrations which, according to the legend, took place upon Rama's return as locals set off their own version of fireworks.

Those celebrating the festival also light traditional diyas or candles and decorate their houses with colourful rangoli artworks – patterns created on the floor using coloured rice or powder. During Diwali, families and friends share sweets and gifts and there is also a strong belief in giving food and goods to those in need. It is also traditional for homes to be cleaned and new clothes to be worn at the time of the festival.

It brings the community together and inculcates in participants the sense of joy associated with giving. And by doing it in times of joy, such as Diwali, it strengthens the inclination to give others in times of need. It brings together people of all religion to enjoy the

c e l e b r a t i o n .

The food most closely associated with the festival is Indian sweets, which come in a range of colours and flavours. The celebration however, features various rich savoury and sweet dishes, and while eating out is popular, families will mostly prepare food at home for when guests arrive to exchange gifts and watch fireworks.

Diwali falls on a no-moon night - It is celebrated in the month of Kartik on Amavasya (moonless night), according to the Hindu calendar. This year, Diwali is being celebrated on November 12. The festival is marked with different names across the country and outside its borders. In Nepal, it is marked as Tihar ir Swanti.

In Malaysia, it is called Hari Diwali. In Thailand, people observe Diwali as Lam Kriyongh and light lamps on bana leaves.

To the businessman, Diwali means brisk business just as to the clay potter, Diwali is the occasion

of the year when the bulk of his sales are made. Diwali became a time for them to change their annual accounting books. Their new year starts with Diwali.

This is the reason why Diwali is also the festival of Goddess Lakshmi, who personifies prosperity and wealth. Lakshmi pujas are held in most Hindu homes.

Scenes from One Guyana Diwali Jalsa at Skeldon Recreational Park, Corentyne and the Region Three (West Demerara) Diwali Motorcade at the Uitvlugt Community Ground (Photos taken from President Irfaan Ali's Facebook and First Lady Arya Ali Facebook page)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 58

From page 16 Guyana paid to build the vessel said that the boat is completed and has departed its Louisiana production facility in the United States of the American (USA) for its Bayou La Batre, Alabama shipyard.

“From there, the vessel will continue its journey to Guyana, where it will join eight other Metal Shark patrol boats currently in service with the GDF”, Metal Shark Boats stated. The company added: “the new vessel will help to protect Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas industry and the farreaching interests supporting its development, many of them right here at home (in the USA)”.

Guyana’s oil and gas industry is being propelled by production from the Stabroek Block, -a lucrative oil block with a lopsided contract that favours its operator, the American oil giant ExxonMobil.

The Stabroek-oil-block is located in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) but has been at the center of Guyana’s ongoing border controversy with Venezuela over the country’s (Guyana) Essequibo Territory, a case that is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Guyana’s agent on the Border case before the ICJ, Carl Greenidge, was in 2019 quoted in a news article by another section of the media saying that Venezuela’s claim to the territory splits the Stabroek Block in its “Entirety”.

Venezuela has heightened its claims on the territory since Guyana discovered oil in 2015. In recent years, however, the neighbouring country has become more aggressive in its border patrols-including offshore- and it is one of the main reasons why the current government in May 2021 dipped its hands into the country’s Contingency Fund (Emergency money) to make a down-payment on the 115 Defiant vessel (Offshore Patrol Vessels).

A month after making the down-payment, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira explained to the National Assembly that the purchase was urgent to protect Guyana from Venezuelan Incursions. “Mr. Speaker the decision to move to acquire an offshore patrol vessel, a new one, was thought to be an urgent matter, because of some (Venezuelan) incursions that have taken place in our waters,” Minister Teixeira said.

The minister said too then that Guyana currently has one old vessel, the GDFS Essequibo, which she said, “has not been doing well.”

She said that in order to better p r o t e c t G u y a n a ’s t e r r i t o r y, acquiring the new vessel is necessary. She had said too that the Vessel will be custom built to suit Guyana’s needs. Guyana had only finished paying off for the 115 Defiant this year, and the vessel has

Sunday November 12, 2023

The 115 Defiant Offshore Patrol Vessel.

been named GDFS Berbice.

Former ambassador calls on govt to sanction Exxon for abuse of Guyana’s oil profits - says such lawlessness would be met with stiff financial penalties in the US Former Guyana Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Kenrick Hunte has called on the government to put systems in place to sanction ExxonMobil if it abuses this country’s profits as was revealed in the audit of the US$7.3 expenses of the oil giant.

Dr Hunte’s comments come even as this newspaper continues to expose revelations from the second audit report on ExxonMobil Guyana Limited’s expenses, which uncovered that during the period 2018 to 2020, the oil giant engaged in a brazen use of revenues from oil-producing projects in the Stabroek Block to cover expenses related to two other blocks—Kaieteur and Canje. In addition to using revenues from the Stabroek Block to fund works in other blocks, the audit also uncovered countless instances where the oil company used

Guyana’s profits on activities totally unrelated to oil production.

These include puppet shows for Exxon’s staff and their families dance classes among others.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo when asked to comment on this issue would only say that the contract that the oil giant signed with Guyana means that the expenses will not be included in the cost bank for the Stabroek Block. “I maintain my position that it would be illegal and I repeat that. The audits would have revealed that now and as I said before there will be consequences. If you did unauthorised work you don’t go to jail according to PSA it just doesn’t form part of the cost bank,” the VP said.

In a letter to the editor in today’s edition, Professor Hunte in referencing the work done by the consortium of auditing firms, Ramdihal& Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting and Consultancy Inc., with backing from Martindale Consultants, said numerous unauthorised expenditures that have inflated the costs of the ExxonMobil Guyana Limited financial statements were uncovered.

In particular, Hunte said the auditors point out the unlawful disbursement of funds from the Liza 1 and 2 revenue streams for activities in the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, as well as other expenditures not related to the extraction of oil from Liza 1 and 2.

“This dishonourable action by EMGL signals the utter contempt EMGL has for Guyana,” the former ambassador stated.

He said that EMGL would not engage in this behaviour in the USA, where financial penalties would unreservedly be imposed by the appropriate government department. As such he questioned whether this unprofessional behaviour will continue on future projects in the Stabroek block, given that EMGL claims that they have invested US$50.00 billion dollars.

He also asked whether the auditors have access to the EMGL financial documentation in realtime, not years later, so that this deceitful behaviour can be terminated before it impacts Guyana share of total revenue.

Also, Hunte questioned whether going forward, can a simple system be commissioned in real time of

counting barrels so that Guyana can receive its fair and equitable share.

“This approach of counting barrels will establish a transparent system that is currently lacking; it will not violate ‘the supposedly inviolable contract sanctity cause of unending serfdom of Guyana’; and moreover, this approach will allow the full breakeven level of output to be determined and the correct profit level to be derived. Incidentally, the current 75 percent of total revenue that is allocated as total cost is a fake cost measure, since it violates the elements that are included in a cost function.”

The Ramdihal& Haynes Inc audit report gave a meticulous breakdown of five instances where the Stabroek Block’s financial resources were used for Kaieteur –a block Exxon walked away from this year –as well as Canje.

Kaieteur News reported that as a result of the five instances in which the oil companies acted in violation of the contract, auditors insisted that the Stabroek Block account be reimbursed with US$3,812,653. In the first instance, the report states that Exxon used the Stabroek Block revenues to cover a permit fee for a Kaieteur Geotechnical and Geophysical Survey. When auditors made this discovery and roasted Exxon for such a flagrant violation of international best practices, Exxon agreed that it should not have occurred.

As a result, auditors asked that the US$16,039 used to cover that survey be returned to the Stabroek Block cost bank. Auditors said this was done in October 2022. In the second instance, auditors found that Exxon included its cost recovery statement for the Stabroek Block, 100% of the costs associated with an Emergency Response Study for oil spills from Guyana wells. Auditors said the Stabroek Block revenues should not have been used to cover 100 percent of this activity since the study looked at wells in the Kaieteur and Canje blocks.

Auditors said Stabroek’s share (Continued on page 59)

Sunday November 12, 2023

From page 58 should have been 50% of the cost or US$ 32,575 while Canje’s share should have been 25% or US$16,287.64 and Kaieteur’s share 25% or US$16,287. Exxon was therefore asked to return US$ 32,575 to the Stabroek Block’s account. In the third case, auditors said Exxon c h a rg e d t h e S t a b r o e k Block’s producing projects, 100 percent of the cost for various vehicles. The auditors contended that since the vehicles are also used to support activities related to the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, Exxon must return US$404,285 to the Stabroek Block account. In the fourth case, the auditors said Exxon charged the account of producing Stabroek Block projects, 100 percent of the renovation costs for Exxon’s Duke Street office, including upgrades, furniture, and setup costs.

Auditors reasoned that Exxon operates all of its Guyana operations out of the Duke Street office, so charging 100% of the more than US$6 million of renovation costs entirely to t h e S t a b r o e k B l o c k ’s account “is patently inequitable.” In the fifth case, auditors found that Exxon charged the account of producing Stabroek Block projects 100% of the costs from Environmental Resources Management, ERM Guyana, and RPS Group for various studies on the impact of oil and gas operations on fish, bird, and turtle migrations, habitats, and survival. Auditors urged Exxon to return US$1,391,902 to the Stabroek Block account.

THURSDAY Exxon refused to hand over Guyana’s raw oil production data to auditors - instructs them instead to review sales report The team of local and international auditors who collaborated on reviewing ExxonMobil’s expenses totalling US$7.3B for the period 2018 to 2020 has informed the Guyana Government that they were not provided with all the data and information they requested from the company.

Specifically, the team said in a report seen by this newspaper that Exxon was asked to provide a schematic diagram showing all

Kaieteur News

ExxonMobil Guyana Head, Alistair Routledge metering points on the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The auditors said a schematic would provide a visual representation of the physical flow of production as it is produced onto the FPSO through the various types of production equipment, and into the storage tanks.

Auditors said ExxonMobil was adamant that it would not provide the raw data or the schematic on the amount of oil and gas it produced. Auditors said Exxon “consistently stated that production information was outside the scope of the cost recovery audit.”

Furthermore, Exxon told the auditors that only sales information would be provided.

While they were denied this raw information requested, auditors said they have no reason to conclude that the production data presented in monthly statements to government would differ from the raw measurement data utilized

by Exxon for production management. In addition, Exxon told auditors that the Guyana Government has key personnel who are fully aware of all measurement points and are present for calibrations and offloads, hence there is no need to worry.

Be that as it may, auditors advised that Exxon should make the schematic diagrams available for future audits as it would help to validate the volumetric data provided in the monthly statements submitted to the Guyana Government.

The audit report seen by this newspaper was prepared

by Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. with backing from Martindale Consultants.

It should be noted that this document prepared by the auditing team led by Chartered Accountant, Floyd Haynes is yet to be released to the public.

Kaieteur News had previously reported that the audit contract that was awarded to Haynes and his team back in 2022 for US$751,000 had a strict four-month deadline for completion. Notably, the US$7.3B costs which the auditors examined pertain to the investments for the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Projects which are currently producing approximately 400,000 barrels of oil per day.

Exxon’s dishonourable actions signal contempt for Guyana — former ambassador Former Ambassador to Guyana, Professor Kenrick Hunte said that ExxonMobil’s unlawful disbursement of funds from the Liza 1 and 2 revenue streams for activities in the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, as well as other expenditures signals the oil major’s “utter contempt for Guyana”.

He said that the company could not get away with such actions in the United States as there would have been stiff penalties. Hunte who s e r v e d a s G u y a n a ’s ambassador to South Africa, has since called on the

PAGE 59

Chartered Accountant and team leader, Floyd Haynes government to put systems in place to sanction ExxonMobil if it commits similar transgressions in future projects. The abuses were uncovered by auditors who scrutinized E x x o n M o b i l ’s U S $ 7 . 3 expenses for the Liza 1 and 2 projects.

This newspaper in recent weeks has been exposing the abuses revealed in the report, which covered the oil company’s expenses during the period 2018 to 2020. In one of the most brazen acts, ExxonMobil was caught using revenues from oilproducing projects in the Stabroek Block to cover expenses related to two other blocks—Kaieteur and Canje. In addition to using revenues from the Stabroek Block to fund works in other blocks, the audit also uncovered countless instances where the oil

company used Guyana’s profits on activities totally unrelated to oil production.

These include puppet shows for Exxon’s staff and their families dance classes among others.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo was questioned about this last week at his news conference, but he would only say that the contract, which the oil giant signed with Guyana means that the expenses will not be included in the cost bank for the Stabroek Block. “I maintain my position that it would be illegal and I repeat that. The audits would have revealed that now and as I said before, there will be consequences. If you did unauthorised work, you don’t go to jail according to PSA, it just doesn’t form part of the cost bank,” the VP said. When asked whether the revelations were not

grounds enough to arm future projects with penalties, if such reoccur, Jagdeo said there is already a mechanism in place to address this. The mechanism to which he referred to is that it would not form part of the cost bank. However, he did not indicate whether the administration would impose financial penalties on the company. Jagdeo said the revelations from the audit justify the right to audit, which he said, “gives you a chance to see whether the expenses justified or not.”

However, for Hunte referencing the work done by the consortium of auditing firms, Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting and Consultancy Inc., with backing from Martindale Consultants, said that ExxonMobil would not engage in this behaviour in the USA, where financial penalties would unreservedly be imposed by the appropriate government department. As such, he questioned whether this unprofessional behaviour will continue on future projects in the Stabroek block, given that EMGL claims that they have invested US$50B. He also asked whether the auditors have access to the EMGL financial documentation in real-time, not years later, so that this deceitful behaviour can be terminated before it impacts Guyana share of total revenue. Also, Hunte questioned whether going forward, can a simple system be commissioned in real time of counting barrels so that Guyana can receive its fair and equitable share?

“This approach of counting barrels will establish a transparent system that is currently lacking; it will not violate ‘the supposedly inviolable contract sanctity cause of unending serfdom of Guyana’; and moreover, this approach will allow the full breakeven level of output to be determined and the correct profit level to be derived. Incidentally, the current 75 percent of total revenue that is allocated as total cost is a fake cost measure, since it violates the elements that are included in a cost function.”

Meanwhile, asked to weigh in on the issue, Elson Lowe, Economic Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition (Continued on page 60)

PAGE 60

From page 59 Leader said the Government of Guyana must meet with the operator and make it clear that costs that are not appropriate should not be included in the cost bank, but even further, the government needs to ensure there is clarity when it comes to costs from other blocks being claimed in the Stabroek block cost bank. “We believe that unless boundaries are set with the operator this problem is likely to persist, and in fact may even spill over into the operations of the block Exxon and its partners recently won in the latest oil block auction. Costs incurred in other blocks cannot and must not be claimed in the Stabroek Block,” Lowe emphasized. He said the government is clearly afraid to confront the operator on almost any issue. “We raised our concerns about the allegations that the Operator was not providing data in the first audit when we met with the Operator because we did not consider that to be acceptable. The PPP’s inability to manage oil companies operating in Guyana is costing Guyanese billions of dollars in delayed revenue. We cannot merely look to recover funds after they have been incorrectly used, rather, we need to set guidelines and make it clear that this is not acceptable.”

Five shocking instances The Ramdihal & Haynes Inc. audit report gave a meticulous breakdown of five instances where the Stabroek Block’s financial resources were used for Kaieteur –a block Exxon walked away from this year –as well as Canje.

Kaieteur News reported that as a result of the five instances in which the oil companies acted in violation of the contract, auditors insisted that the Stabroek Block account be reimbursed with US$3,812,653. In the first instance, the report states that Exxon used the Stabroek Block revenues to cover a permit fee for a Kaieteur Geotechnical and Geophysical Survey. When auditors made this discovery and roasted Exxon for such a flagrant

violation of international best practices, Exxon agreed that it should not have occurred.

As a result, auditors asked that the US$16,039 used to cover that survey be returned to the Stabroek Block cost bank. Auditors said this was done in October 2022. In the second instance, auditors found that Exxon included its cost recovery statement for the Stabroek Block, 100% of the costs associated with an Emergency Response Study for oil spills from Guyana wells. Auditors said the Stabroek Block revenues should not have been used to cover 100 percent of this activity since the study looked at wells in the Kaieteur and Canje blocks.

Auditors said Stabroek’s share should have been 50% of the cost or US$ 32,575 while Canje’s share should have been 25% or US$16,287.64 and Kaieteur’s share 25% or US$16,287. Exxon was therefore asked to return US$ 32,575 to the Stabroek Block’s account. In the third case, auditors said Exxon charged the Stabroek Block’s producing projects, 100 percent of the cost for various vehicles. The auditors contended that since the vehicles are also used to support activities related to the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, Exxon must return US$404,285 to the Stabroek Block account. In the fourth case, the auditors said Exxon charged the account of producing Stabroek Block projects, 100 percent of the renovation costs for Exxon’s Duke Street office, including upgrades, furniture, and setup costs. Auditors reasoned that Exxon operates all of its Guyana operations out of the Duke Street office, so charging 100% of the more than US$6 million of renovation costs entirely to the Stabroek Block’s account “is patently inequitable.” In the fifth case, auditors found that Exxon charged the account of producing Stabroek Block projects 100% of the costs from Environmental Resources Management, ERM Guyana, and RPS Group for

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

various studies on the impact of oil and gas operations on fish, bird, and turtle migrations, habitats, and survival. Auditors urged Exxon to return US$1,391,902 to the Stabroek Block account.

PNC mum on punishment for Exxon’s brazen use of Stabroek Block revenue ...says Gov’t. should sit with company and assert position

FRIDAY Jagdeo gives Exxon a pass for refusing to hand over raw production data to auditors Vice President and head policymaker of the oil and gas sector, Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday sought to excuse ExxonMobil’s refusal to handover raw production data to auditors scrutinising that oil company’s US$7.3B expenses for the period 2018-2020, saying that if the auditors wanted the information they could have gotten it from the Natural Resources Ministry.

Specifically, the auditors wanted the raw data from ExxonMobil to verify whether what they provided to the Guyana Government matched what they have on their system.

Specifically, the team said in a report seen by this newspaper that Exxon was asked to provide a schematic diagram showing all metering points on the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. The auditors said a schematic would provide a visual representation of the physical flow of production as it is produced onto the FPSO through the various types of production equipment, and into the storage tanks.

Auditors said ExxonMobil was adamant that it would not provide the raw data or the schematic on the amount of oil and gas it produced.

Auditors said Exxon “consistently stated that production information was outside the scope of the cost recovery audit.” Furthermore, Exxon told the auditors that only sales information would be provided.

While they were denied this raw information requested, auditors said they have no reason to conclude that the production data presented in monthly statements to government would differ from the raw measurement data utilized by Exxon for production management.

In addition, Exxon told auditors that the Guyana Government has key personnel who are fully aware of all measurement points and are present for calibrations and offloads, hence there is no need to worry.

Be that as it may, auditors advised that Exxon should make the schematic diagrams available for future audits as it would help to validate the volumetric data provided in the monthly statements submitted to the Guyana Government.

The audit report seen by this newspaper was prepared by Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. with backing from Martindale Consultants.

Jagdeo’s position Meanwhile, asked whether he was concerned about ExxonMobil’s refusal to handover the data, Jagdeo said: “so I was trying to find out whether I saw this in the public domain without getting into the details of the audit.

As I said before, I wanted this to be purely technical. The raw data is with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the auditors can get that raw data from the ministry. So, I was hoping that if they didn’t get it from Exxon, if that is true, I don’t know if it’s true.”

Jagdeo went on to say: “…the raw production data has to because of the PSA, (Production Sharing Agreement) be supplied to the Ministry, and, the Ministry is in receipt of it. So if the auditors could not get it from Exxon they can get the raw production data from the Ministry, and then verify whether the sales data matches the production data.” He then reiterated that “This data is with the ministry but the auditors at some stage, I hope that they will address this themselves.” Auditors have advised that the schematic diagrams be made available in future audits, so that they are able to independently validate the volumetric data Exxon gives the Guyanese Government on a monthly basis.

It should be noted that this document prepared by the auditing team led by Chartered Accountant, Floyd Haynes is yet to be released to the public.

Kaieteur News had previously reported that the audit contract that was awarded to Haynes and his team back in 2022 for US$751,000 had a strict four-month deadline for completion. Notably, the US$7.3B costs which the auditors examined pertain to the investments for the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Projects which are currently producing approximately 400,000 barrels of oil per day.

The illegal use of Stabroek Block revenues by oil major ExxonMobil, to cover costs in other o ff s h o r e b l o c k s s h o u l d b e addressed by government by sitting with the operator to outline its obligations.

This is the position of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R). During a press engagement on Thursday, the party was asked by this publication whether it believes Exxon should face sanctions for the illegal use of Stabroek Block revenues to cover other expenses, as flagged by the recent US$7.3B audit report.

That audit, conducted by a local consortium Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. and bolstered by the international support of SGS and Martindale Consultants—gave a meticulous breakdown of five instances where the Stabroek Block’s financial resources were used for Kaieteur –a block Exxon walked away from this year –as well as Canje.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had acknowledged that while this was an illegal act, Exxon will only face “consequences” which will deem the costs unrecoverable. This means that the costs will not be allowed.

Kaieteur News reported that as a result of the five instances in which the oil companies acted in violation of the contract, auditors insisted that the Stabroek Block account be reimbursed with US$3,812,653.

On Thursday, Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader and spokesperson on oil and gas matters, Elson Low said that the government’s failure to address the situation can allow for future reoccurrences.

“Some of these disputes are concerning and we need to see government urgently meet with the operator to clarify some of these issues and to ensure that they do not reoccur. First of all with concerns with monies being spent on activities which should not be recovered needs to be made clear to the operator that this is not acceptable,” Low explained.

Meanwhile, Low indicated that there are other areas which the government must “clear up with the operator” concerning the use of revenue from the Stabroek Block to fund developments in other blocks.

The Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader noted that since such brazen acts are likely to continue, “the government needs to speak to the operator as soon as possible.” He added, “That is (Continued on page 61)

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

From page 60 where we start...we believe that the government must meet with the operator, must make these things clear...what we need to see is the government meet with the operator and outline Guyana’s position that only expenses related to the Stabroek Block should be charged to the Stabroek Block.”

Low noted that after engaging the operator, if future audits continue to flag such illegalities “then there would be need for additional actions and additional conversation.” He did not cite what specific actions should be taken against the operator.

This newspaper, however, asked the party representative whether he believes outlining Guyana’s position to the operator would be sufficient since the multinational company should have a clear understanding of its responsibilities by now.

To this end, Low told Kaieteur News, “We need to differentiate between costs that are wholly inappropriate, such as a puppet show, are made clear to the operator (that) we don’t expect to see that happening again and where there is dispute over whether or not costs are legitimate that there is no dispute as to whether or not costs are legitimate.”

According to him, “There is a difference between a puppet show or

yoga activities which are a one-off...and them charging us more than they really should, in our opinion for activities across multiple blocks. That is an issue which will be a problem in every single audit that is conducted. To that end, we must engage the operator to clarify that and if there is a disagreement out of that, then we can look at further action on how we will approach it but we first of all need to engage the operator before we can look at any kind of sanction because we need to get their perspective and we need to make it clear what our perspective is.”

SATURDAY ‘Stop hiding your head in the sand and deal with issues of Exxon not handing over data to auditors’ – Opposition tells Govt.

In response to E x x o n M o b i l G u y a n a ’s refusal to provide raw production data for auditors scrutinizing the company’s US$7.3 billion expenses from 2018-2020, Economic Advisor of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R) Elson Low is calling on the Government of Guyana to address the issue instead of burying their heads in the sand.

During a press engagement on Thursday, the party was asked by this publication to comment on the recent revelation that the

President Irfaan Ali

ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge

oil company did not provide the team of local and international auditors who collaborated on reviewing ExxonMobil’s expenses with all the data and information they requested from the company. The oil company action was related to the government.

In response, the Opposition emphasized the need for independent verification and criticized the government’s apparent reluctance to engage directly with Exxon on crucial matters.

Low said, “But more than that, our position is that information should be provided to auditors and that it is not acceptable for auditors not to be receiving that information.”

He continued, “We call on the government to go to the operator and to say, this is not acceptable and going forward, we should not be seeing this…The government must stop hiding its head in the stand and deal with these types of issues and the other issues highlighted during the course of this press conference.”

Notably, on Thursday Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is the head policymaker of the oil and gas sector, when asked the same question posed to Low, sought to excuse ExxonMobil’s refusal to hand over data saying that if the auditors wanted the information, they could have gotten it from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

This publication recently reported that the auditors were made to relate to the government that they were not provided with all the data and information they requested from the oil company.

Specifically, the team said in a report seen by this newspaper that Exxon was asked to provide a schematic

diagram showing all metering points on the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The auditors said a schematic would provide a visual representation of the physical flow of production as it is produced onto the FPSO through the various types of production equipment, and into the storage tanks.

Auditors said ExxonMobil was adamant that it would not provide the raw data or the schematic on the amount of oil and gas it produced. Auditors said Exxon, “consistently stated that production information was outside the scope of the cost recovery audit.”

Furthermore, Exxon told the auditors that only sales information would be provided.

While they were denied this raw information requested, the auditors said they have no reason to conclude that the production data presented in monthly statements to government would differ from the raw measurement data utilized

by Exxon for production management. In addition, Exxon told the auditors that the Government of Guyana has key personnel who are fully aware of all measurement points and are present for calibrations and offloads; hence there is no need to worry.

The audit report seen by this newspaper was prepared

by Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. with backing from Martindale Consultants. It should be noted that this document prepared by the auditing team led by Chartered Accountant, Floyd Haynes is yet to be released to the public.

Kaieteur News had previously reported that the

PAGE 61

Economic Advisor to the Opposition, Elson Low audit contract that was awarded to Haynes and his team back in 2022 for US$751,000 had a strict four-month deadline for completion. Notably, the US$7.3B costs which the auditors examined pertain to the investments for the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Projects which are currently producing approximately 400,000 barrels of oil per day.

Exxon not moving fast enough to monetize gas – Jagdeo …says Govt. might have to seek investor Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo during his press conference on T h u r s d a y, e x p r e s s e d dissatisfaction with E x x o n M o b i l G u y a n a ’s slothful progress in developing the nation’s gas resources from the Stabroek Block.

Urging a faster approach, he hinted at seeking additional partners to expedite gas asset development. Jagdeo emphasized the global demand for gas and its role as a transitional fuel, stressing the need to capitalize on this window of opportunity.

“To move swiftly on this matter,” Jagdeo stated, “means getting ExxonMobil at the table, possibly with another partner willing to push the industry faster than Exxon. We’re not pleased with the pace at which they approach the development of gas assets.”

Highlighting the u rg e n c y, h e p r o p o s e d involving a partner willing to underwrite expenses and risks associated with gas monetization, emphasizing the need for a tripartite agreement given the 50-50 ownership of gas between Guyana and Exxon. Jagdeo revealed plans to initiate a Request for Proposal (RFP)

to identify partners willing to collaborate on gas monetization.

Guyana is actively pursuing the use of natural gas in the Liza One and Liza Two fields for the Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project.

ExxonMobil Guyana will fund a 12-inch pipeline for transporting the resource to Wales, where a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant will treat and separate the gas for use in the power plant.

J u s t r e c e n t l y, t h e government published a draft of its much-anticipated National Gas Monetization Strategy for public consultation. The government had stated that the gas strategy is part of a pivotal roadmap for managing the nation’s significant gas resources and that it also serves as a vital tool for Guyana to make informed decisions regarding the utilisation of its gas resources. However, from an analysis of the document, it is evident that the strategy leaves much to be desired in terms of concrete, achievable steps for gas monetization.

In fact, during a previous press conference, Vice President Jagdeo, who previously expressed enthusiasm about the strategy, conceded that there are several known issues with the 43-page strategy before labeling the document as a “discussion paper.”

On Thursday, Jagdeo was asked, “As an authority on the government’s oil and gas policy, what your own aspirations are for the gas strategy?”

He responded, “The gas strategy for my own so the ministry I think has put out now the consultant and all of that the ministry has done that. Minister Vickram told me today is when I put it out because I asked him to, so that would be done.”

Jagdeo continued, “So the consultants submitted this he is the now, let’s look at all the comments. There are lots of deficiencies in there in the document itself, not deficiencies, but not all the areas have been addressed.”

To access the Guyana Gas Monetisation Strategy and participate in the public consultation, please visit the ministry’s official website at https://petroleum.gov.gy/.

The deadline for the public consultation is November 14, 2023.

PAGE 62

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

Sheannta Henry beats the odds to become Region...

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From page 54 and rewrite my goals. I had to celebrate every win no matter how small it was, I had to shift my perspective to just seeing the bad in everything and see the lessons as well,” she said.

She said that as she continued along the journey, “God started to connect me with my destiny helpers for this journey. I literally saw

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every time something was more than me a batch mate or two stepped in even if they weren’t aware and helped me.

All this while I was still fighting the thoughts am I good enough but God,” she added.

Occupational therapy Henry said that during the latter part of her second year at university, she had a conversation with one of her seniors and a suggestion was made about occupational therapy. “I brush the idea off.

Mind you, my first choice was physical therapy,” she added.

She said she discussed the idea with her husband, and he opened her eyes to the possibilities.

After much research, meetings, conversations and prayers, she made a decision to major in occupational therapy. “I have no regrets to date. Was this a walk in the

park? Oh no, it wasn’t, but it was worth it because of my fellow batch mates and lecturers. The bonds built during this period will last a lifetime,” she said.

Henry said that during her four years of study at UG, numerous opportunities came her way.

She functioned as a class representative, vice president, and president of the Medical Rehabilitation Students Association and she also represented UG at Washington Model Organizations of American State in the US. She did so while managing a business, being a wife, and much more, she said.

While thanking everyone who always played a supportive role to her during her term of study, Henry had several words of encouragement for anyone who may have been

a similar position or experienced the same issues as her prior to or during studies.

“You might want to quit at this moment; you might even be dealing with a loss. Know it is not the end; take a break if you must; get help if you must; find Yahweh if you must; and give yourself grace.

Know that if God brings you to it, he will take you to completion,” she said.

“I am a living testimony that nothing but God kept me sane through it. I celebrate loudly because it’s only by his grace that I am here today.

I celebrate so that the next person will be encouraged to keep pressing on. Do not let where you came from define you or keep you stuck. Rise above it, the world needs you!,” Henry added.

Ruby Mingo is 104 not outa...

From page 55 cricket and hit every single 104 balls bowled to her excellently. She has outlived most if not all of her peers and siblings, probably most of those born in her generation and is now considered a living wonder.

A strong Seventh Day Adventist Ruby is a pillar of strength for many and has more adopted, foster children, grand and great grandchildren than she can count. Everyone who has touched base or crossed paths with this 104-year-old described her as the sweetest person.

As such, The Waterfalls was privileged to be included in a small intimate ceremony at the matriarch’s request to celebrate her 104th birthday on November 9th. Walking into the living room of her Haslington East Cast Demerara home where the service was held, a feeling of warmth and homeliness emanated from each corner and crevice.

A smartly put together theme of gold and green to match her two tier cake surrounded the environs and the elderly patrons; all of the décor this publication later learnt, Ruby handpicked herself and put together with the help of family members, a few friends and her church family.

Sitting at the table under an arch of balloons like the queen she is, Ruby was dressed in nude pumps, stockings, a floral hat and scarf to compliment all the greenery of the decoration.

She was all smiles and giggled as multiple persons went up to greet her.

During the short service which saw 31 people join via zoom as well, we were able to get some insight of how Ruby managed her family and kept them in check. Many people shared fond memories they had and one of her sons, Mortimer even pointed out that at her age she still has a smart mouth. He however failed to mention that Ruby was very feisty and could stand as well as walk around quite comfortably relying on her walker from time to time.

As the ceremony ended her grandson Randy whom she seems to be very fond of informed those gathered that she had a few words to say, it was expected at least that she would just be speaking from memory but surprisingly a laptop was produced and Ruby read the speech her grandson had typed out at her request without her glasses. The centenarian had all of her 5 senses intact and her memory was excellent.

During an interview with

us she took us down memory lane from her childhood straight to adulthood and shared a few of her favourite memories. “I was born on November 8th 1919. I grew up very poor but my mother was always there and she always said go to school on time to say your prayers and get an education, learn.”

Ruby informed that she was always punctual and if there was an award for the three people always on time at the school, she was always first. “When I was born my father died, it was balata season and so I don’t know my father personally. My mother kept memories, and from what he had in the house I can tell he loved his children. So I always say to myself that I would always like to see my heavenly father and my earthly father face.”

Rube keeps in tune with all the current affairs of the county via television and even commented on the border controversy. Ruby had 7 siblings and 11 offspring of which eight are alive. Chuckling, she recalls her mother hated the name Maria Bellona and preferred to be called Norna Simon.

After completing her secondary education she ventured into the world of work and started in the domestic field. Even though it was hard work, the fact that she was fending for herself and was able to help others, kept her going.

Hard work, determination and serving her creator are the main things, the 104-yearold attributes to a long life.

She wants young people to know that the race is not for the swift but for those who can endure to the end. The centenarian expressed extreme happiness at how her birthday turned out and she is extremely grateful that she’s in great health and fully mobile.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 12, 2023

Worldwide protests against the slaughter of Palestinians … Israel kills 11,000 people in 34 days, including more than 4,500 children (AL JAZEERA)Demonstrators the world over have rallied in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, condemning the high rate of civilian casualties in Israeli attacks and calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Major cities, i n c l u d i n g N e w Yo r k , London, Paris, Baghdad, Karachi, Berlin and E d i n b u rg h , w i t n e s s e d large marches on Saturday.

Calls for a ceasefire to protect civilians in Gaza have grown more than a month into the war

sparked when Palestinian group Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7.

Israeli authorities have put the fatalities at about 1,200, and say more than 240 people were taken captive.

Israel’s non-stop attacks in Gaza have killed more than 11,000 people in 34 days, including more than 4,500 children.

Palestinians say that no corner of the strip is safe from Israeli bombardment.

More than 70 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced.

Hundreds of thousands join largest march in London so far against Gaza war (Al JAZEERA)Hundreds of thousands of people have marched in central London chanting “Stop bombing Gaza” and “Ceasefire now” in the largest Palestine solidarity demonstration held in the country so far.

Police estimate that a b o u t 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 demonstrators joined the march on Saturday, which fell on the same day as the annual Armistice Day commemorations marking the end of World War I and honouring those killed in military action.

Ahead of the event, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had called its timing “disrespectful”.

“These are huge numbers, and it’s unprecedented,” said Al Jazeera’s Paul Brennan,

reporting from the march.

“It’s a message to the British government as well, who tried to have this march banned by the police.”

The “National March for Palestine” was the latest in a series of rallies in the British capital to show support for the Palestinians since Israel launched an air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip following Palestinian group Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel on October 7.

The Hamas assault killed about 1,200 Israelis, and saw more than 240 taken captive.

Israel’s attacks, which it has said are aimed at wiping out the Palestinian group that rules Gaza, have killed more than 11,000 people in 34 days, including more than 4,500 children.

Former British opposition leader Jeremy

Corbyn and member of Parliament for Islington also took part in the rally and demanded a ceasefire.

The UK government’s ministers had called for Saturday’s march to be cancelled because it falls on Armistice Day. Sunak told reporters on Wednesday that he would hold the Metropolitan police commissioner accountable for safety since the police official defied demands to ban the pro-Palestine protests.

R i g h t - w i n g counterprotesters arrested Police said at least 82 people were arrested in central London on Saturday “to prevent a breach of the peace”. They were members o f a g r o u p o f counterprotesters who opposed the pro-Palestinian

rally under way in the city.

A few hours before the protest began on Saturday, a mile (1.6km) away from the start of the march, about 1,000 people lined the streets to watch the remembrance events at the Cenotaph war memorial.

Among the crowd, some right-wing counter protesters opposed to the pro-Palestinian march chanted messages including, “We want our country back.”

Fights broke out near the Cenotaph between police and right-wing protesters.

Police used batons to stop the demonstrators, and ceremonies at the memorial were not interrupted.

Clashes also took place in other parts of the city,

including Chinatown and near the Houses of Parliament.

Following the confrontation near the Cenotaph, police said the counterprotesters were not a single group and officers were tracking them as they moved away into other parts of London.

“Groups of several h u n d r e d s [ o f counterprotesters] arrived, and seemed intent on confrontation, and intent on violence,” the Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner, Matt Twist, said in a statement.

“We’ve had arrests for possession of a knife, possession of a baton, possession of class A drugs,

and assault on an emergency worker,” Twist added.

He confirmed the proPalestine march was the “largest we’ve seen so far” and that it went on without incidents.

“The scenes of disorder we witnessed by the far-right at the Cenotaph are a direct result of the Home Secretary’s words. The police’s job has been made much harder,” the mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a post on X. Home Secretary Suella Braverman recently called pro-Palestinian demonstrations “hate marches” and said the police “play favourites” and take a soft stance towards rallies in support of Gaza.

Agricola resident, 87 gets early Christmas...

From page 56 fully functioning kitchen complete with sink and even a stove.

The emotional Coats said that “I have to thank God and Miss Broomes from the bottom of my heart. This is something that happened suddenly and why me? But Ms. Broomes has come to me and I didn’t believe it because it never happened yet. She takes me shopping and she never left me until this.”

She looked around her new home and broke down in tears since she was in disbelief that it was all hers and in time for the holidays.

After composing she said all that was done from her it

started small and blossomed into something that she never believed could have happened. Her only child died several years ago and Ms. Broomes had stepped in to take up the mantle.

The former Minister explained that she met the elderly woman in 2020 shortly before she exited office and she has been supporting her ever since.

Since then for Christmas and Mother’s Day she would always take her shopping.

“I want to thank you and Pastor Rolling and the general public, and I want to even thank the media for being here. It’s not about me; it’s about him who sent me.”

She noted that after taking a

look around the place where the pensioner formerly lived she decided to do something about it and the initiative to give Ms. Coats a new home was born.

However in order to fulfill the promise and get her out of the current place as soon as possible she had to first build her a temporary home to give her some relief.

Now that the woman is safe and sound in her new home, the minds of those attached to the foundation and who helped make the venture a possibility are at ease.

She will be having a great Christmas as she knows she has her guardian angel with her always.

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

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UGSS launches university - branded hoodies

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tarting Tuesday, students at the University of Guyana can proudly sport their UNIVERSITY OF G U YA N A H O O D I E S , thanks to a groundbreaking initiative led by the University of Guyana Student's Society (UGSS), under the stewardship of President Shaquawn Gill.

These exclusive UGhoodies, a pioneering project, will be exclusively available at the UG Campus Store. Gill, in an interview, shared insights into the initiative's purpose and significance.

Gill expressed excitement about the initiative, stating, “It's the UG assesses initiative, the feedback has been phenomenal, reaching a wide audience.”

He acknowledged the potential misconception

regarding the weather but emphasized that the hoodies serve not only as a functional choice but also as a fashion

statement.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative, Gill explained,

“This venture ensures a continuous stream of income for the council.

Over the years, we've relied heavily on student fees, and this additional revenue source will contribute to our ability to execute more projects without solely depending on external financing.”

He continued, “We aim for longevity, creating relationships and opportunities for future student councils.

This is just the beginning; we've laid the foundation for the next councils to continue benefiting from similar

projects.”

The UGSS President emphasized the broader goal of fostering a sense of belonging and unity among students.

“Universities worldwide have similar designs, fostering a spirit of togetherness.

Our hoodies provide students with an opportunity to wear their journey, celebrating not only their achievements but also the challenges they've overcome,” he said.

I m p o r t a n t l y, G i l l revealed plans to expand availability of the apparel to the Tain Campus store, with

hopes for further expansion.

He said, “This is the first tranche due to limited capital, but as the brand gains momentum, we aspire to introduce a broader range of products.

We encourage future councils to build on this foundation.”

In essence, Gill said that the launch of UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA HOODIES marks not only a fashion statement but a strategic move by the UGSS to empower student councils, promote unity, and create a lasting legacy for the University of Guyana community.

Happy Diwali to all Guyanese GAWU’s Diwali message ERC Diwali message

A

s we again observe the Festival of Lights – Diwali – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union ( G AW U ) t a k e s t h i s opportunity to extend best wishes to all Guyanese, particularly our Hindu brothers and sisters. Diwali is a time for celebration, but it is also a time for reflection – a time when we must remember that there are always others less fortunate than ourselves.

This holiday reminds us that we should commit ourselves to helping those in need. For many, this is also a time to gather with family and to pray.

The Diwali celebration is one that today transcends one community and is supported nationally. The

symbol of the lighted diyas is not only lovely to behold in the evening but it impacts the message of the value of spiritual enlightenment in our collective efforts to bring about conditions for our peace of mind and a satisfying life. With such sentiments in mind, GAWU is encouraged by the usually wide interest shown in the expectedly dazzling celebrations that are traditionally associated with Diwali.

Diwali honours the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge and wisdom over ignorance and thoughtlessness. Diwali also reminds us that we must each do our part to achieve that victory by committing ourselves to service others to ensure that

together we continue moving closer to better and peaceful future we all seek.

On this holy day, devotees around the country and worldwide will light diyas that symbolise the victory of light over darkness. May this divine light shower you with peace, prosperity, happiness, success and fulfilment. May it also encourage recommitment and rededication by all to make Guyana and the world a better place for all.

We w i s h a l l t h e practitioners of the Hindu faith, and indeed, all Guyanese a happy and enjoyable Diwali, the festival of lights.

Let the lights, at this time, light up our pathway to harmony, economic well-being and our general upliftment.

T

he Ethnic R e l a t i o n s Commission (ERC) extends warm greetings to all Guyanese, especially our Hindu brothers and sisters on this auspicious occasion of Diwali, also known as Deepavali, the Festival of Lights.

Diwali signifies, among other things, the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It reminds us that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, once there is faith and discipline, light and goodness will prevail.

The Commission firmly believes that a harmonious and tolerant society can only be fully realized once our minds become illuminated through the power of knowledge.

As such, the ERC is advocating that we all take this opportunity to learn more about the customs, traditions, and history of our friends and neighbours who observe Diwali, as it will only serve to further enrich Guyana’s multifaceted cultural tapestry.

The ERC recognizes the cultural and spiritual significance of Diwali in our

d i v e r s e s o c i e t y. T h e honoured Guyanese traditions of beautifully decorated motorcades and homes adorned with diyas and lights serve as a timely reminder that this festival transcends religious and cultural boundaries.

Indeed, it is a time where people of all backgrounds come together and share in the spirit of togetherness.

As we celebrate this vibrant and joyous occasion, the ERC encourages everyone to embrace the values of unity, tolerance, and respect for all. Shubh Deepavali!

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

Volodímir Zelenski

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

PAGE 67

Govt. grants Chenapau villagers permission to mine at Kaieteur National Park until year end One week after shutting down mining operations in the Kaieteur National Park, the government has given residents of Chenapau permission to continue mining within the protected area until year end.

“They give us a time to work until year end,” Toshao of Chenapau, Stanford John told this publication on Saturday.

The permission was granted after the miners met with Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo last week as well as a visit to the village on Friday by a team of government officials including Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai. Officials of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) also attended a meeting of the villagers with the ministers.

Reports are that the ministers requested the GGMC to undertake another geological survey of the area to determine where the miners can work when the December deadline expires. The survey is expected to commence within the next two weeks. “They are coming to drill and survey the place. They have to find five sites for us to work, so in the meanwhile, they give us a chance to work there,” John said.

In a statement on the Natural Resources Minister's Facebook page, it was noted that the meeting on Friday was facilitated in an effort to provide assistance to the villagers for their mining activities and to discuss the provision of alternative mining lands.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Guyana

Residents of the village of Chenapau in Region Eight during a meeting with a team of government officials on Friday.

Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will work along with the villagers to ensure that mining in the Kaieteur National Park is eliminated,” the statement said. In addition, it was noted that staff of the GGMC will work along with the residents of Chenapou to locate alternative mining properties within the village and outside of the national park.

The minister reiterated that it is illegal to mine within a protected area.

Last Monday, the Natural Resources Minister told this publication that the miners' equipment was being relocated from the area. He said that 80% of the miner's equipment was removed by the authorities thus far.

However, reports are that although the GGMC officers had issued a cease-work order at the site, the miners remained on the ground as they awaited the outcome of a meeting with the government.

This publication reported two weeks ago that the miners from the village of Chenapau had clashed with armed police ranks who ventured into the area along with GGMC officers to stop the villagers from mining at an area which the residents said was within a buffer zone.

Standford John, told Kaieteur News two weeks ago that the villagers were granted permission by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Natural Resources to mine within the buffer zone which he noted is approximately one kilometer from the boundary line of the village.

The GGMC subsequently noted in press release that according to law, no mining is allowed by anyone within protected areas, including the KNP. “The laws and regulations are applied evenly to everyone and mining activities remain prohibited within the KNP as it has severe implications on the

environment.”

The miners staged several protests at the mining site even as GGMC officials and the police ordered them out of the area two weeks ago. The residents displayed documents which they noted were processed by the GGMC and which gave them the right to mine in the area. “I spent thousands of dollars to process these papers at the same GGMC, which is now telling me to remove from this area,” one resident said in a video recorded at the area in question.

In May 2017, the police arrested and charged 20 people from Chenapau for illegally mining

within the KNP. “It has been decided that as an act of good faith, Government will not prosecute the charges against the more than 20 persons arrested on Sunday May 28, 2017, for mining within the iconic Kaieteur National Park,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement at the time. The charges were dropped after the ministry met with the GGMC and several other government agencies.

At the time, the National Toshaos Council (NTC) had criticized the arrests, noting that the park's boundaries were extended in 1999 without the consultation of residents of the area.

Police still investigating accident that left mechanic dead Four months later…

By Shervin Belgrave Relatives of a mechanic who was killed in an accident four months ago at Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) are still waiting on the police to wrap up the case.

The mechanic, Eon McGarrell, 26, of Cottage, Mahaicony, Region Five was killed around 20:00 hrs on July 8, 2023 following a collision between the motorcycle he was riding and a car along the public road at Unity.

His loved ones are alleging that his death was caused by the car driver. They believe that the car driver was drunk at the time of the crash.

“I just want justice for my son,” the dead mechanic's mother, Dehola Williams said while explaining to Kaieteur News that

she is growing frustrated of running behind the investigators four months to date, simply to find out if the car driver will be prosecuted.

Following the accident, Williams recalled that statements were taken and she was told that a case file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Shalimar Ali Hack SC for legal advice.

After “visiting” the Mahaica Police Station several times for an update, Williams reportedly received a call three weeks later informing her that the file was still incomplete and that investigators needed a statement Dead, Eon McGarrell from the individual who transported McGarrell to the tell he how the police them want he hospital. fuh give a statement,” she Williams knew the individual recounted. well and went in search of him. “I

The individual complied and Williams was informed that the file will return to the DPP. However, several months have passed since, and Williams and her relatives are still waiting to hear of any new developments in the case.

During that time, Williams has been visiting the police station and calling investigators for updates but got none.

On October 11, 2023 she reportedly visited the DPP chambers and was allegedly told by staff there that no case file about her son's fatal accident was there.

The staff took William's telephone number and allegedly told her that they will call her when the file arrives.

Another month has passed and Williams is still waiting on that call

and according to the woman, the frustration is adding to her grief.

According to reports, McGarrell was heading to the Georgetown to meet an uncle when he crashed.

His relatives said that based on information they gathered, the car was heading in the opposite direction and allegedly speeding while overtaking other vehicles.

They claimed that he was overtaking a vehicle when his car collided with McGarrell before further crashing into a light pole.

The relatives alleged too that when they arrived on the scene, there were beer bottles in the car.

Investigators had reported that driver in his statement alleged that McGarrell had rode into his path.

Kaieteur News understands that police are still to wrap up investigations in the case.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

ICC World Cup 2023: England beat Pakistan to end tournament with consolation win (BBC Sport) - England ended their World Cup campaign with a commanding consolation victory over Pakistan in Kolkata.

With their hopes of reaching the semi-finals long gone, the defending champions put in their best performance with the bat throughout their time in India by scoring 337-9.

Ben Stokes top-scored again with 84, sharing a stand of 132 in 131 balls with Joe Root, who made 60.

Openers Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan scored 59 and 31 respectively, while Jos Buttler ’s 27 and Harry

Brook’s 30 also boosted the score.

David Willey struck with the second ball of Pakistan’s chase and two further wickets took him to 100 one-day international wickets in his last game before international retirement.

Pakistan began the day with the most unlikely hope of a semi-final spot but England’s impressive total meant they had to complete their chase in 6.4 overs to overhaul New Zealand’s net run-rate.

They were bowled out for 244 without seriously threatening to pull off a

tournament-ending win as England completed a 93-run win.

England finish the group stage in seventh to qualify for the Champions Trophy in 2025, with Pakistan, who host that tournament, finishing fifth.

England had been expected to contest next week’s semi-finals but will instead next be in action in December for a white-ball tour of West Indies. After their disappointing World Cup it is unclear how many of this squad will be moved on.

The Test side returns to India for a five-match series

Sunday November 12, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside.

You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you're unstoppable!

You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days.

Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

in January.

England frustratingly save their best until last How frustrating it must be for England that their batters have finally found their groove with their fate long decided.

That said, the past two victories have ensured England’s World Cup will be seen as a disappointing failure rather than complete disaster.

They were close to their usual selves as a platform of 82 was laid in 13.3 overs by opener Bairstow and Malan before Root and Stokes batted excellently through the

middle overs.

In what could be his final ODI innings, Stokes followed on from his century against the Netherlands on Wednesday. He was dropped

by Shaheen in the left-armer’s follow-through on 10 but scored freely - including a six over long-on and another reverse sweep which cleared the rope.

Root found fluency more difficult, scoring only four boundaries. It was his third fifty of the World Cup but first since England’s second match.

After Stokes was bowled by a Shaheen yorker at the

start of the final 10 overs, Root looped a catch off a leading edge after a Shaheen slower ball.

Brook, one who will certainly be part of the future, thrashed two straight sixes in his 17-ball innings.

Even Willey clubbed a huge straight six and two fours in his five balls for 15.

Had this performance come earlier, who knows how England’s tournament would have gone.

Match details: England 337-9 (50 overs): Stokes 84 (76), Root 60 (72) by Pakistan 244 (43.3 overs): Salman 51 (45); Willey 3-56 by 93 runs.

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2023

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Hamilton Green’s Cup 2023 Champion to be decided tomorrow A gripping lineup of matches await as Hamilton Green’s football tournament crowns its 2023 champion

T

he stage is set for an exhilarating showdown as the final eight teams gear up to lock horns for a shot at championship glory on Monday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.

Anticipation is high for the gripping quarter-finals, semi-finals and the grand final, all scheduled for the ultimate day of the annual Hamilton Green’s 9-a-side I n t e r Wa r d K n o c k o u t Football championship.

Promising palpable action, this tournament features some of the nation’s top football teams and the competition has narrowed down to the eight finalists,

poised to compete for the coveted title and a chance to claim a substantial prize pool of up to $1,000,000 in cash and prizes.

The stakes are high with an impressive $500,000 awaiting the tournament winner.

The runner-up will not leave empty-handed, securing a substantial $250,000, while the thirdplace team will claim a respectable $150,000.

Former national coach Lennox Arthur, the mastermind behind the tournament, expresses confidence in an even larger turnout tomorrow, as we crown the 2023 champion of the premier 9-a-side inter-

ward football extravaganza.

Prior to the intense battles for the 2023 Hamilton Green’s Cup, Lennox Arthur and Dr. Linden Dotson have orchestrated a minitournament paying homage to the legends of the game—the Linden Dotson Master’s Cup. This side event features eight formidable Masters teams, including Club 45, Wales, GDF, Conquerors, Pele, Stablroek Ballers, Santos, and Victoria vying for a cash prize of $70,000, while runner up secure $30,000. Action starts at 12 noon.

The tournament is sponsored by NaMilCo,

Gafoor Ltd, B.K International, John Fernandes Ltd, Star Party Rentals, Enet, New GPC,

Edmond Vieira, Cummings Electrical, GTT, Dr. Colin Watson, Eton Cordis, Ivor Carrington, Genequip,

Super Bet, Eddie’s Bobcat, New Thriving, Floyd Haynes, Busta, Reunion Gold, CIDI, and others.

NAMILCO National U-17 Playoffs…

ICC World Cup 2023: Marsh’s Bartica crush West Dem, unbeaten century helps Australia cruise past Bangladesh National U-15 draw with EDFA (BBC Sport) struggling Bangladesh - Mitchell Afghanistan.

Bartica Football Association’s Under-17 team showcased a dominating performance against West Demerara FA, securing a convincing 3-1 victory in the latest NAMILCO Thunderbolt ‘Flour Power Under-17 National Playoffs fixtures.

The match unfolded at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground on Saturday, with Bartica FA demonstrating their prowess to clinch a comfortable win.

Bartica wasted no time asserting their dominance, sprinting to a 2-0 lead by halftime. Ian Gomes (24’) and Shawn Bobb (35’) were the architects of Bartica’s early lead, showcasing their goal-scoring prowess. The second half saw Kyle Ti m m e r m a n e x t e n d i n g Bartica’s lead with a stunning goal in the 50th m i n u t e , l e a v i n g We s t Demerara struggling to catch up.

Despite Bartica’s 3-nil advantage, a lapse in concentration led to a late goal from Shakeel King (80’) for West Demerara.

Nevertheless, Bartica managed to maintain control and secured a 3-1 victory.

Bartica’s goal scorers: Ian Gomes, Shawn Bobb and Kyle Timmerman

In the parallel fixture, the National Under-15 team engaged in a hard-fought battle against East Coast of Demerara FA, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The early stages of the game saw EDFA’s Bryan Wharton finding the back of the net in the 6th minute.

EDFA maintained a clean sheet for the first half and a

significant portion of the second half.

However, Tyrell Walcot delivered a spectacular goal in the 83rd minute, leveling the score at 1-1. Despite both teams making efforts in the final minutes, they failed to break the deadlock, concluding the match with a 1-1 scoreline.

Marsh smashed a brutal unbeaten 177 as Australia beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in their final World Cup group game.

Marsh struck nine sixes in his 132-ball knock as Australia reached their target of 307 with 32 balls to spare in Pune on Saturday.

Opener David Warner scored 53 and Steve Smith added 63 not out as both shared century stands with Marsh.

Bangladesh earlier posted 306-8 with Towhid Hridoy top-scoring with 74.

It was a frustrating innings for Bangladesh who squandered promising positions on a good batting surface, with all top seven batters passing 20 - but Hridoy the only one to capitalise. They were set for a strong finish at 239-4 but Australia’s bowlers closed out the innings expertly, with just 65 runs and four wickets coming from the final 10 overs.

In contrast, Australia batted with discipline to time their chase perfectly, setting a new highest World Cup run chase for the second game in succession after Glenn Maxwell’s heroics against

Tr a v i s H e a d w a s bowled for 10 by Taskin Ahmed in the third over but Warner continued his fine form with his fourth 50plus score in the tournament as he anchored the innings around Marsh’s aggression.

Australia had already qualified for the semifinals, where they will face South Africa, before this match.

Their fixture against the Proteas looks set to be an intriguing battle with both teams taking confidence from winning their final group stage matches.

Australia end group stage with fine all-round effort Pat Cummins’ side advance to the last four having won seven successive games and will be buoyed by their all-round efforts against Bangladesh.

Warner has been in stellar form but there have been question m a r k s a r o u n d A u s t r a l i a ’s m i d d l e order, and they will take confidence from putting that right as they head into the knockouts.

Marsh had struggled at number three since Head’s return to the top of the order, but returned to his destructive best against a

without their injured talismanic captain Shakib Al Hasan.

He reached his century from 87 balls, his second of the tournament so far, while the unflappable Smith found fluency in his usual unorthodox style to play a supporting role in the chase.

Marnus Labuschagne was not required with the bat but may find his place under jeopardy from Maxwell, who was rested after his record-breaking efforts against Afghanistan and will add even further strength to Australia’s lineup.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc was also rested but Sean Abbott stepped in admirably with 2-61, bowling excellently at the death after an expensive start, while leg-spinner Adam Zampa continued his magnificent tournament with 2-32 to reclaim his place at the top of the wicket-taking charts.

At times, Bangladesh’s batters looked like taking the game away with a big first-innings total but Australia’s bowlers struck at key moments with Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das making 36, while Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 45 and Mahmudullah was brilliantly run out by Labuschagne for 32.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 12, 2023

GFF-KFC Elite League Cup 2023...

Massive turnout at Tomorrow’s GDF, Western Tigers Leaders annual Charity Event atop the Groups

G

Participants took a photo opportunity during the event

T

he Tomorrow’s Leaders Annual C h a r i t y fundraiser idea was born in 2017 by Diane Innis, owner of Candy Express and Party Castle as a way of giving orphans and underprivileged children one day to experience everything that the average child takes for granted each day.

Nexgen Golf Academy’s president Aleem Hussain joined forces with her along with several members of her family and friends to ensure that the event would grow larger each year.

NexGen came on board to support these efforts making this year, with over

250 children from 9 orphanages partaking in the event. The theme for 2023 shifted from the 2022 elegant dinner setting to a Carnival Fun Day atmosphere at the Nexgen Golf Academy, Scouts G r o u n d o n Wo o l f o r d Av e n u e w i t h b r i g h t l y decorated tents, games, putting contests, face painting, popcorn, hotdogs, burgers , snacks and drinks being provided.

According to Ms. Innis, “We all share one common trait of humanity despite the circumstances of our birth.

No child should ever feel that their present circumstances diminish

their ability to succeed.”

Dozens of overseas and local volunteers came together to ensure that the experience would be memorable for these amazing children who have so much potential and any of whom, once given the opportunity can be Tomorrow’s Leaders!

Hussain commented, “Someone’s environment and trials they face daily, only creates a desire to succeed if given the opportunity.

Diane, our sponsors and volunteers are creating a vision for these children that they are valued and important and nothing can

stop someone who is determined to be a Leader.”

A special thank you to the following sponsors, persons and organizations who made this year a success: Iky, Beverley, Kevin, Saiahkeda, Kesaiah, Rensford, Kim, Gloria, Ann, Rosamund, Isaiah, Cynthia, K a t e , D i a n e , T r a c y, Michelle, Al, Philip, Carlos, Paul, Team Mohameds, Optimum Group, Party Castle, Candy Express, P&P Insurance, Trophy Stall, AdNation, Family Tree, Sameir Uniquely Me Inc., Ryan Patterson The Artiste, Nexgen Golf Academy, and Westside Golf Course.

uyana Defence Force remains top of Group A with a spectacular victory over Buxton United Football Club, while Western Tigers Football Club maintains its leading position in Group B after defeating Ann’s Grove United Football Club during Friday’s thrilling matches in the Guyana Football Federation-KFC Elite League Cup. The doubleheader took place on November 10 with Guyana Defence Force securing a dominant 7-1 victory over Buxton United Football Club and Western Tigers Football Club recording a commanding 6-1 win against Ann’s Grove United Football Club at the Eve Leary Sports Club in Kingston, G e o rg e t o w n . B u x t o n United’s Paul Kingston made an impressive mark with a delightful goal in the 13th minute.

However, Guyana Defence Force swiftly intensified their attack, providing Chris Macey with the opportunity to execute a precise strike, equalising the score in the 24th minute. This set the stage for six more goals from M a c e y ’s t e a m m a t e s .

Olivus Mitchell broke the deadlock in the 56th m i n u t e , w i t h subsequent goals from Stephen McDonald in the 62nd minute, Delroy Fraser in the 71st, 82nd, and 85th minutes and Kelsey Benjamin in the 75th minute.

It was Buxton United’s first defeat in Group B in the league cup, while the Guyana Defence Force marked their third c o n s e c u t i v e v i c t o r y, accumulating a total of nine points. Buxton United is in second place, having played three games with two wins and one loss, resulting in a total of nine points.

Completing Group A standings is Santos Football Club, with three points from two games, while Fruta Conquerors and Milerock each have one point from three

games. In the opening game of the night, Western Tigers Football Club secured a commanding 6-1 victory against Ann’s Grove United Football Club. Group B’s leading team didn’t hold back, as Rushawn Rich swiftly scored a goal just two minutes into the game.

Ann’s Grove United’s Jaden Granvilodin managed to level the score in the 21st minute, bringing the first half to an even conclusion. The second half clearly favoured Western Tigers, with R a n d o l p Wa n g e r contributing three goals in the 57th, 60th and 64th minutes, while Jermain Beckles found the net in the 88th minute.

I n t h e f i n a l moments, Daniel Wils on s ealed the victory with a goal in the 90+1 minute.

Western Tigers have s e c u r e d t h r e e consecutive wins, accumulating a total of nine points, solidifying their position at the top of Group B. Den Amstel closely trails in second place with two wins and one loss, amassing six points.

The rest of Group B features Guyana Defence Force in third place with three points from two games, recording one win and one loss. Ann’s Grove United currently holds the fourth position on the table after participating in three games and earning three points. Victoria Kings have played three games, but are yet to score.

The championship team will win a cash prize of $1.5 million, while the second place team will receive $1 million. Additionally, the third and fourthplaced clubs will be awarded $500,000 and $250,000 in cash, respectively.

The league continues to deliver exhilarating competition among the ten participating clubs, captivating fans in the process.

Sunday November 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 71

Young Gunners, LA Ballers dominate opening night T ...ExxonMobil Guyana/New Era Ent. Futsal tourney off to exciting start

he ExxonMobil Guyana-backed N e w E r a Entertainment Futsal tournament hit the ground running in Linden at the Retrieve Hard Court, with Young Gunners, LA Ballers, HH Ballers, DC Ballers, and YMCA recording contrasting wins.

In the opening showdown, the Young Gunners lived up to their name, turning the pitch into a goal carnival, walloping Genahside 21-7.

Brandon Solomon led the charge, smashing in six goals, with Domoll Warner bagging five and Omarion Ramson notching four. It was a veritable scoring orchestra, featuring Rodensio Tudor (3), Kamal McLaren (2), and Ryan Arthur.

Not to be outdone, LA Ballers unleashed their inner beasts, trampling One Side in a merciless 14-1 victory.

Andre Mayers scored four goals, Tyric McAlister pulled off a hat-trick, and the dynamic duo of Marcus Tu d o r a n d A m a n i k i e Mayers each secured a double.

Mortimer Giddings, Android Aaron, and Omar Williams joined the scoring p a r t y, w h i l e A l l i s t a i r Willcock salvaged pride with the lone goal for One Side.

In a nail-biter, HH Ballers edged out West Side Ballers

5-4, YMCA danced their way to an 8-4 win against Money Team, and DC Ballers outshone Blueberry Hill 6-2.

Tonight promises another round of jaw-dropping clashes at the Retrieve Hard Court.

DC Ballers aims to keep their winning streak against AnyBody Gets It at 6:30 pm.

Young Gunners, the scoring maestros, face off against the formidable Team Fearless.

HH Ballers and Gorillas are set to collide in a battle of epic proportions, while YMCA squares off against Finishers.

The Money Team and Hill Side Ballers are desperate for their first points, and Gold is Money locks horns with Youth United in a fierce final showdown.

With a lineup that’s basically a futsal who’s who, the tourney is adopting the round-robin format.

The champions will pocket $1,000,000, while 2nd through 4th place, will be rewarded $500,000, $200,000, and $100,000, respectively.

Matches will continue on 15, 17, 18, 22, and 24, with the grand finale on the 25th.

The victorious squad won’t just revel in glory but will also spearhead a community project in cahoots with ExxonMobil Guyana.

Firing squad for Young Gunners defeated Genahside 21-7

Kaieteur News

PAGE 72

Pan Am Games medallist cash-in, compliments of the GOA In a display of respect for the blood, sweat, and, probably, a few tears shed by the country’s Pan Am Games medallist, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) went all Oprah on Saturday morning, showering financial love upon Leslain Baird, Jasmine Abrams and Emanuel Archibald, for their performance in Santiago, Chile.

Abrams, the sprint sensation holding Guyana’s national record in the 100m, gracefully pocketed silver in the Women’s 100m. Archibald, not to be outdone, secured bronze in the Men’s 100m, while Baird wielded his javelin with finesse, claiming a historic silver in the men’s event. These medals weren’t just your run-of-the-mill accolades—they were historical gems.

No Guyanese, man or woman, had ever clinched a 100m medal at the Pan Am Games until Abrams and Archibald set the track ablaze.

Meanwhile, Baird etched his name in the annals of Guyanese sports history as the first to conquer a field events medal at the prestigious games.

Sunday November 12, 2023

Limacol Schools U-18 Football League enters 3rd round today - Round 4 unfolds Monday

Leslain Baird in tears after securing bronze at the Pan Am Games

A total of eight matches are scheduled for the next two days.

Baird’s mighty throw earned him a cool G$400,000 for his javelin wizardry, and the Archibald cash-in is imminent, while Abrams is in line for a hefty G$600,000.

Not to be left out of the victory party, Coach Johnny Gravesande secured his slice of the financial pie—a cool G$50,000, to be precise.

This isn’t the inaugural r o d e o f o r t h e G O A’s generosity. Remember the C o m m o n w e a l t h Yo u t h Games? Oh yes, our national athletes enjoyed a sweet slice of the financial cake back then too.

Godfrey Munroe,

president of the GOA, showered praises on the athletes, expressing satisfaction with their performances at the Pan Am Games.

But Munroe isn’t just about applause; he’s dishing out motivation too. His message: gear up for the next epic showdown—the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Munroe made it clear—the GOA is all about that athlete appreciation life.

This financial windfall?

It’s just the beginning; a small gesture that he hopes will grow into a financial rainstorm.

The 4th annual Limacol Schools Under-18 Football League championship is set to unfold over the next two days at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, featuring a lineup of four thrilling matches on each day.

In today’s matchups, Ann’s Grove will take on East Ruimveldt Secondary at noon, followed by the anticipated clash between tournament favourite, Chase’s Academic Foundation, and defending c h a m p i o n , C h r i s t i a n b u r g / Wi s m a r Secondary at 13:30 hrs.

The other two exciting contests will see Carmel Secondary facing off against Bartica Secondary from 15:00 hrs and McKenzie High challenging Santa Rosa Secondary at 16:30 hrs. Moving into the fourth round of competition on Monday, the championship will showcase another four exhilarating matches.

M o n d a y ’s f i x t u r e s include Ann’s Grove versus McKenzie High, East Ruimveldt against Bartica Secondary, Christianburg Secondary versus Santa Rosa, and a clash between C a r m e l a n d C h a s e ’s

Academic Foundation.

C h a s e ’s A c a d e m i c Foundation are currently on top of the points table following consecutive wins in the first two rounds. They secured an impressive 7-1 victory over Ann’s Grove Secondary in their recent fixture.

This edition of the tournament is sponsored by New GPC Inc. through their Limacol brand, organised by the Petra Organisation, with support from the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, MVP Sports, Ministry of Education and Guyana Football Federation.

Sunday Novembe 12, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 73

A new era looms as GFA endorses Wilson’s Presidential bid Former GFF president, Franklin Wilson

In an eagerly anticipated move on Wednesday last, Franklin Wilson has thrown his hat into the ring for the upcoming Guyana Football Federation (GFF) presidential election scheduled for December 9.

With a comprehensive slate promising positive change and a commitment to

the development of football locally, Wilson’s candidacy has garnered widespread support from key stakeholders, including the Georgetown Football Association (GFA).

One of the defining f e a t u r e s o f Wi l s o n ’s candidacy is his unwavering passion for the beautiful

- Passionate leadership, Vision, Expertise; a winning combination for Guyana’s Football game.

He comes with vast of experience, being a former president of the GFF with his main aim is to rewrite the history of local football as well as take football to new heights with the backings of a formidable team.

His long-standing commitment to football as well as other sports, has earned him the respect of many within the football c o m m u n i t y. Wi l s o n ’s dedication to the sport goes beyond the confines of the pitch, as he has been actively involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting youth development and community engagement.

Central to Wilson’s campaign is a bold vision for the development of football at all levels in Guyana. His s l a t e o u t l i n e s comprehensive plans to enhance grassroots programmes, invest in coaching education, and create pathways for young talents to flourish, during Wednesday’s interview.

He also declared, “Under his leadership, the GFF will aim to establish better grassroots programmes and foster partnerships that will elevate Guyana’s standing in the international football community.”

Wilson’s impressive track record in both the business and sports sectors positions him as a candidate with the right blend of expertise and experience to lead the GFF. His strategic acumen and financial proficiency as well as the support of critical stakeholders are expected to bring about a positive transformation, ensuring the f e d e r a t i o n ’s f i n a n c i a l

stability and sustainable growth.

Wi l s o n ’s s l a t e h a s received widespread endorsement from various stakeholders, including current and former players, coaches, and administrators. The rallying support behind his candidacy reflects a shared belief in his ability to steer Guyana’s Football towards new heights.

Meanwhile a filed document had been submitted to the congress by the GFA v a l i d a t i n g t h e endorsement of Wilson’s presidential bid.

According to news

coming out of the GFA, “The election promises to be a pivotal moment for the sport in Guyana and Mr. Wilson’s candidacy stands as a beacon of hope for positive change.”

As the December 9 election approaches, the football community is poised for a new era under the potential leadership of Wilson.

His candidacy offers a promising combination of passionate leadership, visionary development plans, and a wealth of experience that could propel Guyana’s Football into a brighter and more successful future.

History-making athlete, Leslain Baird shares a moment with GOA president Godfrey Munroe, Assts Secretary General Emilia Ramdhani (second left) and Secretary General Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon. rts Sp o

Pan Am Games medallist cash-in, compliments of the GOA GFF-KFC Elite League Cup 2023...

GDF, Western Tigers atop the Groups

Part of the action between YMCA and The Money Team at the Retrieve Hard Court.

Western Tigers recorded a commanding 6 – 1 win over Ann’s Grove on Friday evening.

Young Gunners, NAMILCO National U17 Playoffs…

LA Ballers dominate Bartica crush opening night West Dem, National ...ExxonMobil Guyana/New Era Ent. Futsal tourney off to exciting start

U15 draw with EDFA

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