Kaieteur News

Guyana does not have equipment needed to respond to large oil spills

AuditorGeneral,Deodat Sharma is appealing to the authorities for there to be a stocktaking exercise of all assets available nationally, r e g i o n a l l y a n d internationally, for a quick response to an oil spill incident.

Sharmasaidthisexercise must see a proper inventory beingestablishedwhichthen informs the country’s National Oil Spill ContingencyPlan.

In his performance audit report of the plan, Sharma said the inventory should be compiled appropriate to the risksassessedandtheranges of environmental operating conditions at possible spill locations.

Sharmawaskeentonote t h a t h i s u r g e n t recommendationispremised on the fact that a list of all responseresourcesavailable for national-level response to an oil spill is still to be compiled by the Civil DefenceCommission.

Sharmasaidinhisreport, “The Head of the Civil Defence Commission explained that the response resources readily available are appropriate for responding to small spills but not medium or large oil spills. A list of response

resourcesisreferencedinthe N a t i o n a l O i l S p i l l Contingency Plan however; it only represents the equipment that is currently availableinGuyana.”

The AG continued, “It w a s e x p l a i n e d t h a t n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h contractors are ongoing for them to provide response resources including personnel as needed to respond to oil spills.” As a result, Sharma said it could not be determined what overall response resources are available for responding tooilspillsofvarioussizes.

Sharmawasalsokeento point out that a minimum level of pre positioned response equipment was not

established.Inthisregard,he saidrapidaccesstoresponse resources is critical to executing a timely and effective response to oil spillstominimiseimpacts.

Under the International ConventiononOilPollution Preparedness, Response and Co operation (OPRC) convention, he said government is required to establishaminimumlevelof pre positioned equipment (whetherownedoravailable through agreements with other countries, industry or private contractors) to facilitate easy and timely deployment in the event of anoilspill.Hereiteratedthat a minimum level of prepositioned response

equipment was not established and in place, adding that most of the government owned equipment including oil containmentboomsisstored at the Coast Guard Headquarters located at Ruimveldt in Georgetown while privately owned equipment is stored on the WestBankofDemerara.

Sharma recommended that the Civil Defence C o m m i s s i o n i n collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, take thenecessarystepstoensure all the required elements in keeping with international guidelines and best practices, are addressed in Guyana’s National ContingencyPlantoensurea

safe, efficient and effective response in the event of an oilspill.

In response, the CDC said it now has a complete list of resources held by various organisations and agenciesacrossGuyana.The lists include equipment held locally, regionally, and internationally by CGX and ExxonMobil.

Itsaid,“Itmustbenoted that a work in progress is to establish the minimum holdings that the country mustownandhaveavailable at any one time. In addition, thereisexpressedandurgent need for the technical agencies to have standing agreements with third-party suppliers of equipment and services who may be called

upon at short notice should theneedarise.”

Furthermore, the CDC saiditwouldbeinstrumental to also note that there is a Mutual Aid agreement across operators where they have agreed to share and leverage their resources in a combinedeffortifneeded.

On call are also international and regional resources depending on the scale and magnitude of the incident, the Commission shared.

R e g a r d i n g t h e preposition of equipment, the Commission said government has resources prepositioned at the Guyana DefenseForceheadquarters, theGuyanaFireService

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma

Kaieteur News

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Editor-In-Chief: NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Lynch and America must also speak about oil contract

The US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch, has done her duty to the American Government and people that she represents. Similarly, Ambassador Lynch has done yeoman service to this country, and for the Guyanese people. We hail her contributions; recognize her tireless efforts to bring some peace, truth, inclusion, transparency, corruption, justice,andotherissuesthatofferstabilitytothisnation.

Weatthispapermustalsobefrank,whichwearesurewill be appreciated because of how involved theAmbassador has been. WehavehadcausetodifferwithAmbassadorLynchon one thing for a long time now, with a second development from her recently that confirmed what is important to her and the United States, and where that leaves us, the masses of Guyanese.

Ambassador Lynch has seen it proper, made it her consistent standard, to speak to what are the sources of deep disagreement and division in Guyana. In several instances, Her Excellency has gone into places (as in person) where no other resident diplomatic chief, no other doyenne of the diplomatic corps, has ventured before. The long period between the 2018 no-confidence motion and the March 2020 elections, with some degree of restless closure five months after that, stands as an outstanding example of her handiwork in Guyana’s political trenches. She could have been a campaigner with high political stakes of her own, for all her energy,determination,andpassiontogetthingsright. Inallof those, we observed a powerful commitment to be about, and getting to, what is fair, what is about justice. Again, we are pleasedtosay,welldone,andkudos.

But on something that is near and dear and clear to the hearts of every Guyanese, Ambassador Lynch has been noticeablysilent,andrepresentingwhatcanonlybedescribed as a long disappearing act. Where isAmbassador SarahAnn Lynch on the 2016 oil contract between America’s ExxonMobil and Guyana? It would be pleasing to hear her say something about that contract, which is nothing but a gruesome criminal abomination. Because of its grisly terms thatstrangleGuyanese,itisasiftheirbloodseepsintothesand and soil of this land from the worst white-collar, corporate crime conceivable. Because the United States Government has taken it upon itself to project a position on so many sensitive matters of significance in this country, it would be enlightening to hear from Ambassador Lynch what is that position on the ExxonMobil contract, given what it means (anddoesn’tmean)forGuyanese.

ThelastthingthatanyGuyaneseshouldbecomfortedbyis that the 2016 oil contract is a matter between private commercial parties, both of whom are quite capable to look after their interests, and neither of whom needs intervention by others. That is wrong as anybody, any superpower government,anyseniordiplomatcouldbewithsuchaposture andaccompanyingmessage. Americahasmadeititsbusiness to be involved in our business, be it unilaterally or by invitation from us. It must maintain that consistency with the ExxonMobil contract terms front and center On behalf of all GuyaneseincensedbythelopsidednatureoftheExxonMobil contract, we invite Ambassador Lynch to grace Guyana with similar such involvement publicly expressed. The US Government cannot avoid, must not take the easy way out, saying nothing. We wait on her, hope that America doesn’t disappoint.

To fuel this call of ours, the Ambassador said something recently about the wonderful promise of Guyana’s economy It is so, Ambassador Lynch, but for whom? The US and Ambassador are so neck-deep in Guyana’s matters that it would be a hypocrisy to highly recommend Guyana’s economy, while thunderously silent on ExxonMobil’s contract. Tospeakofeconomicpromisemeansonealsomust speak to the contract. As Ambassador Lynch signals an invitation to American business interests about the great Guyana economy and its opportunities ripe for the plucking, Her Excellency must, in the identical fashion, speak to the wantandneedinthesufferinglocalpopulation,thefrightened Guyanesemultitude. AmbassadorLynch:ithastodowiththe ExxonMobiloilcontract. Simplyput,Guyanamustgetmore. AnditisAmerica’sbusiness.

Kaieteur M@ilbox

AN EXEMPLARY POLICEMAN

DearEditor, office and the level of professionalism I think if the Guyana Police Force Allow me just a few lines so that I he portrays, along with his courtesy, is has more like ASP Lall, we will can express my 101% satisfaction with trulyamazing. definitely move forward some more. an officer I met at the Commissioner of He treats everyone who walks into Keepupthegoodwork,sir Police’s (CoP) office by the name of his office with utmost respect, and to a Yoursfaithfully, Lall,anAssistantSuperintendent. level playing field (thanks to the top GodfreyMcGarrell I met him on two occasions at his CoP). MemberofGPF

Minister Bharrat afraid of his shadow, validates odours of corruption issuing from govt.

DearEditor, bedoing?HurttheGuyanese to renegotiate the terrible excuses for inaction, you A f r a i d o f t h e reputation? The reputation deal with Exxon, at least you validate the odors of renegotiationofa2%royalty forwhat?Fornotstandingup arenotpreventedfromdoing corruption wafting out of the contract with Exxon? for your own people?That is what most other energy Guyanese government. That Because it will discourage clear enough. People who producing countries are also encourages the exact otherinvestors? stand up for themselves are doing now, and that is taxing opposite type of investor to By not renegotiating the always respected by their the windfall profits of oil cometous.Thetypewhoare contract, are you not now opponents. companies that they have quick to take advantage of encouraging other investors People who do not, are reaped in the last two years. poor Guyanese people, to come and take advantage quickly taken advantage of England just raised the oil whose wealth you are now of us? Is that not the exact without mercy Even if you companies’ royalty tax from giving away The world sees opposite of what you should donothavethegutsrequired 25%to35%. the truth Eventually the Tell us what is really Guyanese people will also going on Minister see the truth. I am still Bharrat. By sitting waiting for that day with on your hands hope. and offering Yoursfaithfully, l a m e ArieOosterman

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Ministry’s approach to education regrettably wrong

DearEditor, rightthingtodo. method Consider early difficult to be on a change

T h e M i n i s t r y o f It is reported that the College High Schools, pathway when you are Education’s announcement Minister said that the NGSA whereby you leave high remaining the same in the that the NGSA (National could still be used as an school with an associate NGSA The Ministry’s Grade Six Assessment) is examination to identify degree. How about Oil and statement that “We cannot being revamped is welcome “gifted” children and place Gas Academies, High Tech [ c h a n g e t h e N G S A news Educational equity theminnationalandregional High Schools, School of the placement system] without across all regions is the schools. The NGSA is not a Arts, STEM Academies, access to secondary foremost need and goal for test specifically designed to etc.? education that is universal in Guyana The education identify the gifted and Educational equity the country,” is also system, just like the talentedorthe‘academically requires that high schools regrettable. So, we continue economy, is riddled with gifted’ students as we call everywhere are largely the educational apartheid, as inequities, creating more them in the USA. There are similar, and students should is? Is the Ministry saying we than “One Guyana.” There special tests for that and be placed in high quality don’t have high school are many Guyanas – rich other criteria And what s c h o o l s i n t h e i r education in all of Guyana Guyana and poor Guyana, modelof“giftedness”arewe neighbourhood area The after 60 years of both PNC the haves and the have-nots, considering? The traditional Ministry said, “Potential and PPP? I thought we the privileged education of academic achievement changes could see children already had universal Region 4 versus the model or the Multiple being placed in schools education, but it is a system struggling education Intelligences model? We do nearest to them ” The that is inherently unequal systems of the other nine not need a model that will Ministry said changes could across all regions. What we regions, the poverty-stricken perpetuate inequities in be in place by 2027 - five need is equity and quality recipients of cash grant selection for the gifted years away It is regrettable across all schools (See pittances versus the political programmes. In repurposing that the Minister said the “Exposing the myth about and business oligarchs who the elite schools, we must NGSA, as is, is not being Guyana’s excellent results,” feast sumptuously on consider the concepts of eliminated.The way that test Indo-Caribbean, Sept. 20, Guyana’s fatted oil calves. magnet schools or special is used makes it the root 2022). So, the Minister saying that focus schools and selection cause and the mother of all TheMinistry’sother equity is a big goal is the of students using the lottery educational inequalities. It’s (Continued on page 6)

Government continues its Agri watch

has been allocated to undertake the rehabilitation works that will ‘ease the fears’ of residents of DearEditor, Corentyne, East Berbice, as We all know that good they will adequate drainage planning and investment by and dams in their residential all landowners and and cultivation areas The agricultural producers can details show that the prevent flooding and protect investment will include a land interests and assets. At high level pump to be this time in the year, this stationed at Whim. This is to ‘planning’ is indeed vital, as assist in the drainage of the rains are in waiting, and w a t e r i n t h e thiswillaffectwaterlevelsin Whim/Bloomfield area, , as ditches, creeks, and rivers, according to the Minister, etc. “… we know for a fact that So, Guyana must guard whenyoulookattheseareas, against increasing flood risk the most flood prone area is in areas of all kinds of Whim (as) over the years, farming. To this end, I see we have seen what has that Minister of Agriculture, happenedhereatWhim…” Zulfikar Mustapha, (Continued on page 6) announced that some $77M

Venezuela doesn’t have a leg to stand on, clutching at straws

DearEditor, original owners of the land committed a fraud in The arguments of before the Spanish came to determining the land it Venezuela and claims of South America and owned via conquest, then fraud are based on the forcefully took what didn’t Spain, Portugal and the selective use of historical belong to them. Comrades, Catholic Church committed facts. They have chosen to no present day power is the largest fraud known to revert back to what took willing to relinquish the man by claiming ownership place from 1777. If we are gains they have made over of the New World when it going to ignore the period of thatperiod. was already inhabited. If the territorial wars between Thus, it is clear that Venezuela truly believes in the powers of that period, Venezuela’s argument is their argument, then they which resulted in territorial presumptuous and rooted in should relinquish all of their ownership changes, then we hypocrisy If their claim is landbacktoitsoriginal must also consider the that the United Kingdom (Continued on page 10)

Government continues its Agri...

From page 5 Guyanese households.” In will do their part. Lest those The goal is that the all- other words, in the mind of involvedgetsloppy,Iremind important pump will be the President, agriculture readers about the June 2021 installed before year end, will be catered for As a floods in Guyana. Let this and this will be the matter of fact, the People’s soak in: According to the responsibility of the

Progressive Party/Civic Civil Defence Commission National Drainage and (PPP/C), since being elected (CDC), “As many as 25,000 IrrigationAuthority(NDIA). to office inAugust 2020, has households were affected by Editor, back in October invested approximately the widespread flooding of this year, President Irfaan G$95 billion into the during the that time. So, this Ali reminded Guyanese that agriculture sector, and there time around, the preparation “Agriculture accounts for are plans to significantly andforesightofGovernment almost a quarter of the increase both public and must be lauded and things country’s non oil Gross private investments in the will be in place with the Domestic Product (GDP), comingyears. “$42M that will be spent on and (very importantly) one However, as all know, the cleaning of canals within in every eight members of this thrust requires the residential areas of the the country’s employed c o o p e r a t i o n a n d identified communities and workforce is in the commitment from all $35Moncleaningcanalsand agricultural, forestry and involved, and I feel strongly fixing dams in the fisheries sectors. This sector that the people of Alness, cultivationareas.” isalsotheprincipalsourceof W h i m , A u c h l y n e , Yourstruly, livelihood for thousands of Letterkenny and Bloomfield H.Singh

Kaieteur M@ilbox

A tribute and thank you to men

DearEditor,

ensureit,theonesbackhomearefed.

In observance of International Men’s Thankyoutothementhatgotobedtoensure Day which is celebrated on the 19th of it,theonesundertheirroofareatpeace. November, on behalf of every woman, Men with ambition to make themselves child and man, I would like to say thank better, who without a doubt can be trusted with you. Thank you to the men with purpose, the weight of the world in their hands. These valueandpassionforallthingsright. mendeserveeverything.

The men with morals and a history of These selfless men, deserve everything.If goodintentions. you are a good father, a good husband, a good

The men that are our protectors, our son,agoodmentor,werespectyou. safespaceandourhome.

And for the boys, who are yet to become

The men that make it their duty, to men, for it is not age that makes you a man, but ensure,attheendoftheday,theirexistence mindset. Learn that men do not always dress in contributestoyours. suit and tie, their uniform is really their

Thank you to the men that go to war to character ensureit,theonesbackhomearesafe. Regards, Thankyoutothementhatgotoworkto Ms.SaayaPrasad

Ministry’s approach to education regrettably...

From page 5 parking, playgrounds and All news schools should news that the burnt out open spaces that reduce have air conditioning and section of the St. George’s noise from road traffic. Why internet ready classrooms High School will be is it hard to find land for Stopusingchalkboards. reconstructed at its original schools? location in Georgetown is How did that guy get 100 quiteabackwardstep. acres to build a gated Most of the older schools community? Our children are landlocked Going must come first, and prime forward we must think lands must be reserved for modernization and build schools, hospitals, and other schools on large campuses publicbenefitprojects. and relocate landlocked When you open a new schools. housing project, you must

In North Carolina, for allocate adequate acreages instance, the local School for schools, recreation, and Boards which govern community parks and schools would look for 25 activities. acres of land for an Government must have a elementaryschooland30-35 plan to build new schools acresforahighschool. with large campuses to You have to cater for replacelandlockedschools.

Also, I have noticed the news item where a KittyCampbellville bus was overloaded with school children,andonechildcould be seen hanging on to the backofthebus.

The Ministry must look into school transportation, as Mr Grangerhaddone. We can’t have Exxon and friends shipping away all our wealth and we can’t takecareofourownpeople! It’s “Our Country and Our Wealth!”

Sincerely, Dr.JerryJailall

temper

As the country gets ready for its first review of the Local Content Legislation, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, has cautioned stakeholders in the private sector to temper their expectations for greaterlocalcontentdemands.

“We have to be honest with ourselvesandacceptourdisadvantages and shortcomings and recognize what we need to strengthen. There is a capacity deficit in Guyana and we cannot run away from that.And no one is to be blamed for that because we are movingatsuchaspeedthatitishardto keepup,”theMinistersaid.

During a recent engagement held by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) last week, Bharrat said the law currently sets aside 40 areas of work which must see high levels of participation from Guyanese. Some of these works pertain to logistics, security, immigration support, transportation, customs brokerage and catering.

Bharrat said the private sector must bemindfulnottoseekdemandstohave a large number of services added to the law since the country is experiencing a capacity deficit. He appealed that their

recommendationsberealistic.

Bharrat said, “In order to truly achieve local content, I would remind the private sector that it can only be achieved with capacity development. We can quarrel whole day about what aspectsofthering-fencedcategoriesof workmustbeincreasedbutdowehave the capacity to meet the targets effectively, efficiently and cost effectively?”

While the minister is on one hand cautioning the private sector to temper its demands for the upcoming legislative review, government on the other hand is also supporting and fuelling an unprecedented speed in development.

Since assuming office, it has not only supported ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) with increased production and the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity vessels but it has also signed off on two more licences for projects in the Stabroek Block,namelyYellowtailandPayara.

Government is also supportive of

Exxon and partners developing a fifth project.Initsprojectsummarythatwas submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited said the Uaru Project will be located in the eastern portion of the block, approximately 200 km from Georgetown and amid previous StabroekProjects.

Current plans include drilling to produce oil from approximately 40-76 wells which costs millions of dollars. Production is expected to begin between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the second quarter of 2027, with an expectedfieldlifeofatleast20years.

EEPGL said the production facilities to be installed include subsea equipment attached to the seafloor as well as processing equipment on the ocean's surface known as a Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading vessel.

The anticipated production rate for the FPSO ranges between approximately 220,000 barrels and 275,000 barrels of oil per day The vessel will be capable of storing approximately two million barrels of oil.

Teen dies in early morning accident at Le Ressouvenir

…driver, other passenger critical

A teenager is dead and two persons injured following an early morning motorcar accident at Le Ressouuvenir Public Road, EastCoastDemerara(ECD).

D e a d i s S u d e s h Mahadeo, 18, of Lot 20 Bee Hive,ECD.

AccordingtotheGuyana Police Force (GPF), at 01:15h,themotorcarbearing registration number PKK 2362 was traveling east alo ng th e n or ther n c a r r i a g e w a y o f L e

Ressouvenir Public Road, at a fast rate of speed when the driver lost control of the vehicle.

In the process, the vehicle spun twice and collided with a concrete fence just off the road's northern edge, police revealed.

Due to the impact, Mahadeo pitched through

thefrontwindshieldontothe road surface while the driver and Rewtiewere stuck in the vehicle.

Mahadeo was reportedly seated on the front left passenger side of the motorcar while Kowal Rewtie,19,alsoofBeeHive, ECD was seated on the rear passengersideofthecar The driverisunidentified.

An ambulance was summoned to the scene, where the doctor on duty pronounced Mahadeo dead. His body was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) mortuary where a post mortem examination willbedone.

Rewtie and the driver have been listed as critical and are being treated at the GPHC.

Investigations are continuing.

ON THE MARGINS AT CHRISTMAS

The poor are great a c c u m u l a t o r s N o t necessarily of wealth for if thiswasthecase,theywould hardly be classified as being poor

No, the poor are great accumulators of clutter as will be revealed in the days aheadassomanyofthepoor within our midst begin their annual house cleaning Great stacks of clutter will find their way from the homes of the poor into the rubbishheaps.

A few years ago, there was so much that the poor had to throw away that in many areas the garbage overflowed into the streets, and in others, was heaped up in great mounds near alleyways. All these tons of rubbish are removed from the homes of the poor to make way for new arrivals

and to ensure that the homes of the poor are spruced up to create the illusion of wellbeingintimeforChristmas.

One of the things that is noteworthy about this time of the year is the preparation between the richer sections and the poor sections of society Asyoumovearound many of the upper class boroughs of the country, you find that most of the homes of the rich would be decorated by the start of December For the rich, preparationbeginsearly The poor will wait for the last minute, and there will be a crunch to get the place ready intime.Ifthereisanyadvice that the poor should heed at this time, it is to begin the process of de-cluttering, to get rid of all the unwanted stuff which has accumulated over the past year in your

home, and to create some physical and psychological space, by ridding your homes of unwanted and underuseditems.

Being poor is no crime. And no poor person is going to emerge out of poverty by simply adding to his or her collection whatever item comeshisorherwaywithout assessing whether there is anyuseatallforthoseitems.

There are some poor families who simply fill every single available space withsomepieceoffurniture, at times making it impossible to move around or even to utilize that which exists. No matter how small the home there must, for example, be a three-piece suite, a wall divider, a cabinetforstoringwaresand cutlery – some of which will hardly ever be used in the

Guyana does not have equipment needed...

From page 3 headquarters and the CDC Warehouse Timehri. In keeping with what the AG recommended, it acknowledged that, “there is an urgent need to develop the list of minimum equipment to be held and prepositioned with the understanding that it ranges from Offshore, Coastline and Inshore ratedcapabilities.”Itcommittedtoachieving thiswithurgency

Inrelationtohumanresourcesandtrained personnel,theCDCwasalsokeentonotethat it coordinated capacity building training for personnelacrossmanylocalstateagenciesand organisations It said one must bear in mind thatanoilspillresponseisnewtoGuyana,and itrequirestimetotrainpersonsinvariousareas toattaincompetenciesneedstodrivetheplan Through partnerships with the US Governmentandotherbodies,theCDCsaidit has a database of trained personnel who may becalledupontoplayvariousrolesinoilspill response.In2022,itnotedthataNationalOil Spill Response Exercise was held which included the following components:

Dem

tabletop,communication,commandpostand field tactical.This exercise facilitated testing of personnel and the national plan. An upcoming exercise is expected to facilitate further training opportunities and testing of thenationalplan.

SharmasaiditiscriticalthatGuyanahasa strong contingency plan to fall back on especially when one considers the environmental risks at hand. Sharma said oil releasedintotheoceanfromaspillcanspread very rapidly and may threaten the shorelines of several countries, if not promptly contained.

As previously mentioned, the approved Environmental Impact Assessments for the current oil projects being undertaken by Exxon indicate that a potential oil spill can impact areas outside of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone These areas include Guyana’s Continental and Caribbean neighbours such as Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Martinique, Aruba,Bonaire,andCuraçao.

boys seh...

De situation is we schools getting sick!

De Education Ministry gat to start to tek things in hand. De schools getting out of control Imagine images appeared on social mediaofwanchildwithbelt marks on parts of his body De marks were allegedly causedbyfloggingfromhis teacher

Dem boys know dem usedtogetaruleinwhichis only de head teacher could beat or instruct the whipping of a child. But it now look, if what is alleged is true, dat some teachers tekkin things in dem own hands.Andistimethereisa

thorough investigation into dismatter

Dem boys used to know dat parents could go into any school and meet at any timewithdeheadteacheror deteachers.Butnow itlook as if in some schools, yuh gattobookappointment.So dem boys asking what ever happentoopendoorpolicy

Open door policy also means dat yuh nah need to walk in de school with yuh own private security force. Is what really going on nowadays?

It all cause by a breakdown of management

in de schools. And de only way to resolve this issue is f u h h a v e p r o p e r investigations and to tek condign action when dem gatwrongdoing.

Afewmonthsago,there wasaraidononeschooland de sort of instruments whichdemfindindeschool waslikesomeofdemthings wahyuhfindsmuggledinto prison.

So what really going on withweschools?

Is time to get a grip on things before things get moreoutofcontrol.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf

owner’s lifetime – a sewing machine, the symbol of independence, and a dining table For a family occupying a small space, these things take some skill to fit in the limited space available. Today, most poor homes have television sets, DVDplayers,laptopsandall the latest gadgetry So being poor is now just a class symbol; it is no longer about nothaving.

Hire purchase and remittances have conspired to ensure that the poor have everything in their homes thattherichcanhave,except that the rich have, in accounting terms, more fixedandmovableassets.

Yetdespitehavingallthe material possessions that they need, the poor still identify themselves as a dispossessed group They feel alienated from political and economic influence and

indeed they are. It is not the parties of the poor that the powerful political elite will attend. So it is the banquets of the propertied classes to which they will flock to slap backs and raise glasses in toasts.

Christmasis a timewhen the propertied classes do wellandwhenthepoortryto imitate this wellbeing through illusion such as repainting their homes to give an impression of newness – never mind the wood on which the paint is daubed may be rotten or not even belong to the person doingthepainting.

Whatbetterwaytocreate this illusion of newness and well-being than by replacing that old worn out vinolay on thefloor

A new sheet of vinolay, especially one that is brightly coloured, is like replacing a floor and this is

one of the items that sell like hot cakes at this time of the year… Therefore, the cycle continues.

By the time next year’s Christmas arrives, the poor would have accumulated a great more clutter and they willemptytheseandprepare for another house cleaning. However, they would have hardly risen out of their poverty,nomatteriftheyadd to their already impressive collection, a washing and/or ice-makingmachine.

(The views expressed in this articles are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Charrandass Persaud is my friend

I will never let people in society where a majority of vituperative in her answer that question in point in moral this country dictate my the population is under 45 confrontation with Charran relation to me. I cannot w r o n g n e s s ? moralchoices.Thepeoplein years. descended to a level he dictate how other Guyanese Could there be this country have no moral You lookaroundand you should not have gone into. shouldseeCharran. other acts of right to dictate ethical ask yourself if people in this He should not have said Charran has been my human behaviour choices to other Guyanese. land do not have even a those things to the lady even friend for over 30 years. I so cruel, dangerous M a y b e s o m e o t h e r modicum of shame. Don’t if he was not an ambassador admitwhathedidwaswrong that they can be nationalities can lecture they at least have an The fact that he was an and he paid the price for his viewed as more Guyanese on the moral high obligation to family? Should ambassador made it even indiscretion. But I am not depraved, more exchange. ground but Guyanese they not think of their worse. There is no way he going to eschew the threatening to society’s

What he did could not themselvescannot. children when they display couldhaveretainedhisjob. company of Charran socialfabric? have weakened the moral This is a country where their crass moral double-

So we come to the Charran is welcomed in my Theanswertothatwithin fabric of Guyana or India. people are so barefaced in standards? seminal question? How worldandinmyhome. my philosophical range of When humans endanger the their double standards and Charrandass Persaud should Guyana relate to Once I have a say in who thinking is yes. But before veryexistenceofsocietythat lack of ethical standards that after an altercation with a Charran when he comes is invited to the Gildarie- we offer some examples in is more dangerous than they are unfit to be part of w o m a n w h o w a s back to Guyana? I can only Freddie KIssoon Show, then that regard what about the Charran’svulgarity Charran will be a future ethical standards elsewhere?

I believe there is no guest. Charran stood tall and A presidential candidate in alternative to the vote. How c o u r a g e o u s l y a n d Brazil’s previous election to canyouselectthecommittee c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e the one just gone by told a to lead a community if there strengthening of democracy congress woman that she is is no choice by the If it wasn’t for people like too ugly to be raped. That community members? Charran, Guyana may have man, Jair Bolsanaro was Unless a country’s people in returnedtotheepochofparty votedinaspresident. complete, impeccable paramountcy where a Roman Polanski lives in consensus decide on their maximum leader decides Paris where he moves within leadersthenwemustvotefor everything. Those decisions the circle of the literati and the people to administer our impact on the personal the movie industry. Mr. country directionofyourlife. Polanski admitted in his

There are Guyanese in We must keep writing criminal trial in the US that and out of this country that about Forbes Burnham. This he sodomized an underage supported the desecration of autocrat woke up one girl. He fled the US before the right to vote They morning, decided on how sentencing. haven’t been ostracized. Dr you should live and you no I have met people in this Vincent Adams disagreed longer had control of your country who told me that with an AFC leader when life. You no longer could they like DonaldTrump. Mr that leader openly said in have done the things you Trump’s sexual vocabulary frontofdozensofpeoplethat wantedtodoinyourcountry directed at women and his G u y a n a s h o u l d b e It wasn’t one morning. He demeaning attitude to partitioned racially I end woke up every morning and women are far more with an unapologetic decidedyourfate. disgusting that the incident statement I will not

If you think that Charran where Charran was withdraw my friendship should be ostracized then offensive. fromCharran. you better get your moral So we come to the

(The views expressed in rules right. You better make q u e s t i o n o f m o r a l this articles are those of the sure your moral compass is indiscretions that are more a u t h o r a n d d o n o t properly calibrated. If it is threatening to society’s necessarily reflect the not then you have no moral moral fabric than a man’s opinions and beliefs of this righttocriticizeCharran. abuseofawoman.Letusnot n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s Is abusing a woman with forget, Charran’s action was affiliates.) sexual words the lowest confined to a private

Venezuela doesn’t have a... Kaieteur M@ilbox

From page 6

inhabitants and owners who are the Amerindians They were here before Columbus “discovered” what was neither his norSpain’s.

Other countries in Europe began to fight overterritoryasaresultofthePope’sdecision to divide the ‘new world’ between Portugal andSpain.Thisresultedinmanywarsandhas led to numerous treaties and agreements, including the signed agreement of 1899 between Venezuela and the United Kingdom that settled the border dispute before Guyana’s independence. A quote from the Award: “Award Of The

duringtheprocess.

TheywaiteduntiltheprocessofGuyana’s independence to raise an objection, which took place more than 50 years later Another quote from the award: “Rules. (a.) Adverse holding or prescription during a period of fiftyyearsshallmakeagoodtitle.

The Arbitrators may deem exclusive political control of a district, as well as actual settlement thereof, sufficient to constitute adverse holding or to make title by prescription.” Comrades, it is clear that Venezuela does not have a strong legal argument by which to reclaim territory that Tribunal Of has been out of their possession for over a Arbitration Constituted Under Article I Of century without conceding ownership of The Treaty Of Arbitration Signed At everythingitcurrentlypossesses. Washington, Between Great BritainAnd The Is the world willing to undo all that took United States Of Venezuela, Regarding The placesincethe1400s? Boundary Between The Colony Of British Bestregards, GuianaAndThe United States OfVenezuela, Mr.JamilChanglee DecisionOf3October1899”” Chairman

Venezuela signed it and there is no The Cooperative Republicans of evidence of it being signed under duress Guyana

Frederick Kissoon

Jealous 'Spanish Man' charged with murder of miner

Carlos Da Silva

Rodrigues, 27, a Venezuelan national, better known as 'Spanish Man' was on Friday charged by Bartica police for the murder of 37 year-old miner Ravendra Alfredandremandedtoprison.

'SpanishMan'hadconfessed to killing Alfred. Rodrigues reportedly used a Brazilian cutlass to chop Alfred to death on Sunday, November 13, 2022. Alfred's chopped remains were found along a trail in the Sand Hill Backdam, Cuyuni, Region Seven.

He appeared before Principal Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Bartica

Magistrate Court. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison until December22,2022.

'Spanish Man' told police that he chopped Alfred to death because he was involved in a relationship with his (Spanish Man)girlfriend.

He recalled that he was walking down the Sand Hill Backdam trail on November 13 when he saw the Alfred and the woman. The woman was seated onAlfred'slap.

This angered 'Spanish Man' who said he called out to his girlfriend but she refused to answer him. Overwhelmed with

jealousy, he pulled out a Brazilian cutlass he had with himandapproachedthecouple.

'Spanish Man' said he chopped Alfred until he fell to the ground and then he escaped withthewoman.

He said he held her closely and forced her to go with him becausehelovedherdeeply

The man disclosed that he hid the murder weapon in a parked truck along a trail at Puruni and he and the woman spent the night at Balamali before making their way to Bartica.

It was his intention to disappear without a trace but he wascaughtbypolice.

Remanded for murder: Carlos DaSilva

Murdered: Ravendra Alfred

SUNDAY – NOV 13, 2022

ofoilwasdiscovered.

not renegotiating the

Six years later, over 10 agreement, it must be noted

PresidentAli refuses billion more barrels have that the deal was already to budge in seeking been discovered in the modified in the past to make more benefits out country’s Exclusive itpellucidthatroyaltywould of Stabroek Block Economic Zone (EEZ). Not not be recovered by the only that, but the oil operator

President Irfaan Ali has company has been making said that multi-national oil massive profits on the

Tax exemptions to conglomerate ExxonMobil country’s wealth, while ExxonMobil must will not be subjected to the Guyana refuses to impose extend to local businesses new terms announced for taxes and hike the royalty – GCCI President future oil blocks, amid calls rates from two percent, for fromthepoliticalOpposition example.

Insisting that local and members of civil society Both the People’s businesses in Guyana over for the Administration to National Congress Reform the years have been the move in this direction, given (PNC/R) and the Alliance driving factor in the the changed circumstances For Change (AFC) have said country’s economy, the intheStabroekBlock. thatthetermsofthenewPSA Georgetown Chamber of

The Head of State was at announcedbyVicePresident Commerce and Industry the time speaking to Bharrat Jagdeo for the 14 oil (GCCI) believes now is the Reporters on the side-lines blocks that are to be time for the taxation policy President made it clear that countries are moving to tax of an event on Friday at the auctioned, must apply to the to be reviewed so that small his party will stay “true and the additional profits being Pegasus Suites and Stabroek Block to level the companies can enjoy faithful” to the commitment madeontheirresources. Corporate Centre, when he playingfield. benefits similar to that of oil it made on the campaign Ali also said that in maintained that the People’s Jagdeo said the new giant,ExxonMobil. trail. Guyana’s case, the country Progressive Party (PPP) will fiscal terms will include a 10

President of the Private “We are not like the has an agreement which respect the ‘sanctity of percent royally, 10 percent Sector body, Timothy Opposition we are not mustbehonoured. contract’ and stay true to its corporation tax and a ring- Tucker,statedhispositionon hypocrites, we don’t “The third thing is that manifesto promise of fencing provision He percent royalty, no taxes and Friday while speaking to filibuster We are very clear we are now entering a next changingfuturecontracts. explained that the 14 oil also recovers expenses from Reporters after the opening inwhatwewant.Wearevery phaseofouroildevelopment While responding to a blocks vary in size but range multiple projects from the o f t h e B u s i n e s s clear in what we are or our oil and gas q u e s t i o n f r o m t h i s from approximately 1000 r e v e n u e e a r n e d b y Development Forum in committing to and we are development in which there publication on whether square kilometres to 3000 development, in the absence Georgetown. very sincere to the Guyanese are a number of things Government will consider square kilometres, with the ofring-fencingprovisions. Cognizantofthefactthat people We are not h a p p e n i n g o n t h e i m p o s i n g t h e n e w majority of them being close Further, Exxon is last year over $266 billion in opportunist to the Guyanese international markets Production Sharing to2000squarekilometres. allowed to deduct 75 percent taxes were waived by the people.What the Opposition Accesstocapitalforprojects A g r e e m e n t ( P S A ) Meanwhile, the Stabroek of costs from Guyana’s Guyana Revenue Authority is doing is taking a very like these is very difficult. provisions on future projects Block which covers earnings upfront to cover its (GRA) with $203 billion opportunistic position- very, The cost of financing for oil in the Stabroek Block, Ali approximately 26,800 expenses while the new PSA alone to oil companies, the very opportunist,” the Head projects is increasing so that said, “The Opposition is square kilometres and is would cap cost recovery at Chamber President called ofStateremarked. is the market conditions playing games and politics. operated by ExxonMobil 65 percent of earnings for tax incentives to be Further, the President under which you are They signed this agreement. and its partners – Hess and annually introduced for local said, “We came in, we said operating,”heexplained. We went to an election and CNOOC – remains bound to While Government businesses to allow growth we are gonna respect your Meanwhile, the Head of we got elected based on a a separate arrangement in maintains that the ‘sanctity andevenregionalexpansion. contractbutthefutureblocks Statewasaskedhowhefeels number of commitments which it only pays two of contract’ is the reason for (Continued on page 15) are not gonna have the same about the new terms only Our commitment was that PSA and we stuck through extending to the smaller oil we respect the sanctity of with our promise. Go back blocks where oil is yet to be contract for this block. We andcheckourManifestoand discovered. made it clear that all future checkallmyspeeches.” To this end, he made it blocks will have a different Meanwhile, as it regards clear, “the answer won’t PSA and we have stuck to windfall taxes, the President change There’s an thatcommitment.” said it must be understood agreement governing the

Printed on page three of that Guyana is a newcomer existingStabroekBlock.”As the party’s eight-paged 2020 to the oil and gas sector and such, he was asked by Manifesto is the promise of many countries that are Kaieteur News if he is “SecuringtheBenefitsofOil implementing this tax comfortable with those and Gas for All Guyanese”. system have been producing provisions. As part of its plans, the party oilfordecades.

He responded: “I never promised“Toensurethatour The term ‘windfall’ said anything about comfort. oil resource is managed simply refers to the excess In the campaign we responsibly, the PPP/C will: profits being made by the oil acknowledgedthatthiswasa immediately engage the oil companies operating in lopsided agreement We and gas companies in better Guyana as a result of the acknowledged that the last contract administration/ re- higher oil prices being government did a horrible negotiation.” earned, due to the Russia, job but that we have to

Notwithstanding, the Ukraine war. Globally, respecttheagreement.”

He explained that oil producing countries around the world adhere to contracts, therefore “regardless of how you shape the question, the answeristhesame.”

Stakeholders have been calling on the administration to renegotiate its contract with ExxonMobil especially since the Stabroek Block PSA was signed at a time when only 1.1 billion barrels

President, Irfaan Ali

From page 14

‘Local ContentAct lacks rules’. furtherstated.

...Chief justice warns against After reviewing the company frontier companies like arbitrariness in enforcing law and the government’s submissions ExxonMobil should be privy to tax to the court, the Chief Justice ruled exemptions, given that they made Acting Chief Justice Roxane that Director of the Secretariat, Dr investments in a very uncertain George Wiltshire on Friday Martin Pertab has until noon on environment, Government must cautioned against arbitrariness due Monday November 14, 2022, to findawaytoleveltheplayingfield. to the lack of rules and regulations issue a Local Content Certificate to

Heexplainedthatwhilehebelieves

“I would like to see something in Guyana’s Local Content Act of Ramps Logistics or else he will be also given to local existing 2021. heldincontemptofcourt. businesses that have been here all

In December 2021, Guyana Ramps Logistics, which is the years that maybe want to go passed its local content legislation, originally from Trinidad and publicorwanttobeabletoredefine which caters to locals getting first Tobago had registered under and re-innovate themselves should preference in the country’s oil and Guyana’s Companies Act, but was be able to have some sort of tax gassector TheLocalContentlawis denied a Local Content Certificate benefits that is similar to what they intended to regulate the way as required under the Act, for aregetting,”Tuckersaid. companies operate in Guyana’s oil purportedly not being a ‘Guyanese

He was keen to note, “So you and gas sector; employ persons, company.’ got a few companies in the country buy services and the way that they Contentions surfaced over the thatarebeingtaxedinthecorporate procuregoods.

manner in which foreign rate,alotofpeopleoperatingunder Under the Act, the Local companiesarenowusingGuyanese and below the radar, hiding under Content Secretariat (the nationals to fulfill their local the guise of sole proprietorship and Secretariat) has been established content requirement for the t h e n t h e m u l t i n a t i o n a l and functions as the focal point for company to be 51 percent locally billion. special convocation that includes conglomeratesgetthefreepass.” the monitoring, evaluation, owned.

So far, the Publisher of this oil companies to impress the need As such, the GCCI Head coordination, and reporting of Ramps for instance, provided newspaper,Mr GlennLallhasfiled for such changes. As she left the alluded to the need for a revised Local Content in the petroleum detailed information to the a case in Guyana’s High Court stage, several leaders stood and taxation policy “So really the tax operations of Guyana. Therefore, Secretariat regarding Deepak Lall, challenging the tax giveaways in applaudedherpowerfulspeech. baseisnarrowbutweneedmaybea the Secretariat key role is to a Trinidadian born with strong the Stabroek Block Production While the Barbados PM has modern taxation system that monitor and evaluate companies’ Guyanese roots who purchased 51 SharingAgreement(PSA)totheoil made her position clear, Guyana’s encompasses everybody and be performance with respect to the percent of Ramps Guyana for companies. Head of State believes that the able to get more of it…the Private Guyanese utilization targets US$1M, making it 51 percent excess profits, currently being Sectorhasbeenhereworkingdoing outlinedintheAct. Guyaneseowned.

MONDAY – NOV. 14, 2022 earned by ExxonMobil, operating all of the work over the years, got However, since its passage, However, in June 2022, the Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block, the country surviving, paying the there have been several local company’s application for a ‘Oil companies excess shouldnotbetouched. bills really and truly need a break

content issues that were raised by certificate was denied and this led profits must be taxed’ President Irfaan Ali was asked and need something to look the local businesses and the private to them challenging the decision in only on Friday if his government forward to and I believe that the sector court. BarbadosPrimeMinistersays: willbefollowinginthefootstepsof timeisnow.”

The issue of the lack of rules

ARGUMENTS

As countries around the globe other countries to impose windfall

He said that a Tax Review and regulations in the Local During oral arguments on intensify efforts to reduce the taxes when he explained this route Committee was established which harmfulemissionsthatdriveglobal cannot be trotted by his clearly indicates that changes are warming, Prime Minister of administration. needed to the existing regime. To Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley has The term ‘windfall’ simply this end, Tucker said he looks urgedthattheoilcompanies’excess refers to the excess profits being forward to the outcome of that profits be taxed, to contribute to a made by the oil companies as a Committee. fund which she believes could result of the higher oil prices being

At the same time, he informed stabilize nations when climate earned, due to the Russia, Ukraine that the GCCI had created its own disastersstrike. war tax reform sub-committee that is

The Head of State was The President said it must be currently drafting its own addressing her colleagues at the understood that Guyana is a suggestions to be shared with the recently concluded 27th United newcomer to the oil and gas sector government team. The Chamber Nations (UN) climate change and many countries that are said it already held preliminary Conference of the Parties (COP) in implementing this tax system have discussions with the private sector Egypt, when she urged that the beenproducingoilfordecades. and expects to deliver its report to critical issue of loss and damage be Ali also said that in Guyana’s the Committee in a few weeks’ addressed. case, the country has an agreement time.

She was keen to note, “for loss whichmustbehonoured. Just this past week Kaieteur and damage to work, we believe it “The third thing is that we are NewsreportedthatGRA attheend can’t only be an issue of asking nowenteringanextphaseofouroil of the fiscal year 2021 granted a state parties to do the right thing- development or our oil and gas total of $266.774 billion in tax although they must- but we believe development, in which there are a Content Act was raised on Friday Friday, General Solicitor Nigel waivers with a whopping $203.8 the non state actors and the number of things happening on the bytheCJduringacourtcase,which Hawke, who represented the State, billion alone to the oil and gas stakeholders, the oil and gas international markets. Access to saw a company challenging and admitted to the court that a sector or 78.3 percent of all tax companies and those who facilitate capitalforprojectsliketheseisvery winning to quash the government’s companydoesnotneedacertificate exemptionsgrantedfortheyear them, need to be brought into a difficult. The cost of financing for decision to deny it a Local Content inordertooperatewithintheoiland Thisinformationiscontainedin special convocation between now oil projects is increasing so that is Certificate. gas sector – this too, was pointed theAuditor General’s 2021 Report, andCop28.” the market conditions under which “This Act has no rules or out by the Director in his affidavits released only this week. Notably The Barbadian leader, who has youareoperating,”heexplained. regulations and this allows for of defence. As such, the CJ thetaxwaiversalsoamounttomore alsobeennamedoneoftheWorld’s Meanwhile, it was reported that arbitrariness,” Justice George questioned that if a company does than what the country gained in most influential women reasoned, Guyana’s oil helped the American Wiltshire said. She explained that notneedthecertificatetooperatein revenue from the oil sector during “How do companies make $200 oil major, ExxonMobil to reach a the minute the Secretariat realised the energy sector, “Why have the thesameperiod. billion (US) in profits in the last record shattering US$19 billion in thattheyneededcertainregulations Act?”

According to the Natural three months and not expect to thethirdquarteraloneof2022. tobetterexecutethemandateofthe The Chief Justice pointed out ResourceFund(NRF)Summary,as contribute at least 10 cents in every In fact, back in October, Exxon Local Content Act, they should that while the Respondents in their at December 31, 2021 the total dollarofprofittoalossanddamage said its earnings were US19.7 have alerted the Attorney General affidavits highlighted that the balance was $126,694,310,000 fund?” billion or US$4.68 per share. This Chambers to get those regulations Ramps Chief Executive Officer billion (US$633.47M); while the Mottley pointed out that this is was also a significant increase over implemented. (CEO) is before the court facing total tax waivers for this period whatherpeopleexpect,asshewent its earnings in the previous quarter “The Local ContentAct clearly criminal charges – theAct does not amountedtoUS$1.019billion. on to lobby the Heads of which totaled a whopping needs regulations so as to prevent makementionofcriminalcharges

The tax body at the end of 2021 Governments present, to convene a US$17.9B. arbitrary decision making,” she (Continued on page 16) collected the sum of $242.091

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley delivering remarks at COP27

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

From page 15 requirements under ‘Form evidence submitted by the Director referred to in his inKenya. b e i n g t a k e n i n t o C’; she highlighted that Respondents to show that Affidavit of Defence, have

Taking these and other consideration when a ‘Form C’ was not exhibited Ramps did not meet the nostatutorybasis. damning accounts into applying for a certificate – to the court, and also that it requirements under the DECLARATIONS consideration they said, “We and that the criminal charges was not a part of the law that LocalContentActsoastobe GRANTED c a n n o t s u p p o r t were filed months after governs local content. To classified as a Guyanese The Chief Justice Government’s policy to Ramps approached the High this end, the General company As such, the CJ granted a declaration that produce oil and gas when Court However, Hawke Solicitor accepted that all noted that she have Rampssatisfiedthestatutory every ton of greenhouse gas contended that the criminal that was requested by the considered and concluded r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d (GHG) pollution helps to charges being mentioned, Secretariat under its ‘Form that Ramps satisfied the preconditions necessary for destroy our original goestoconduct. C’ is not required by law requirements of the Local thegrantoftheCertificateof ancestral home and cause Additionally, the Chief undertheLocalContentAct. Content Act The Chief Registration, a declaration loss of life in African Justice noted that while the RULING Justice further pointed out that Ramps Logistics as a countries as well as our own Respondents contended that The Chief Justice later thatthe‘FormC’whichhave Guyanese company is country and all of planet Ramps did not meet the ruled that there was no alistofrequirementsthatthe entitled to be issued a Earth.” Certificate of Registration

They further noted that and to be entered into the t h e U n i t e d S t a t e local content register; and a Environmental Protection declaration that the decision Agency says that each barrel by Minister Bharrat and/or of oil emits 0.43 tons of Dr. Pertab and/or the G H G p o l l u t i o n . Secretariat to refuse to grant aggressive manner with ExxonMobil Corporation acertificateorregistrationto which oil development is claims it has discovered Ramps is unlawful, illegal, being pursued is bad for more than 11 billion barrels null, void and of no legal Guyana. of oil They deduced effect. In the letter published in therefore that the production T h e o t h e r t w o the Sunday Stabroek News, of the discovered resource declarations that the CJ they recalled that at the would amount to more than grantedwasthatthedecision Group of 77+ China 4.7 billion tons of GHG of the State officials or State ministerial and technical pollution. agency misconstrued or meeting in October 2020, it “We therefore cannot misapplied Section 2A1 and was Ali who warned that support this Government’s 2A2 of theAct and that they Guyana is particularly policy to produce oil and gas breachedSection6oftheAct vulnerable to rising sea w h e n e v e r y t o n o f when it refused to grant the levels. greenhouse gas pollution certificate to Ramps They said the President’s will help to destroy the earth Logistics. statement was confirmed by and the ocean,” the group

In addition, the Chief scientific modelling toldPresidentAli. Justicegrantedacertiorarito predicting that Georgetown Significantly, the authors quash the decision of will be under the sea by oftheletterwerekeentonote Minister Bharrat and/or Dr 2030. In light of this, they that deepwater drilling is Pertab and/or the Secretariat said, “We cannot support the dangerous, as such, they torefusetoissueacertificate Government’s policy to were angry to learn that to Ramps and an order of produce oil and gas, ExxonMobil is operating the mandamus directing the especially with a ‘no holds Liza Destiny and Liza Unity Director to register and issue barred’ / ‘full steam ahead’ Floating, Production, a Certificate of Registration approach, when every ton of Storage and Offloading to Ramps Logistics on or greenhouse gas pollution (FPSOs) above their design before noon on November contributestothedestruction capacity TheLizaDestinyis 14, 2022. The CJ noted that of our capital city, coastal producing150,000barrelsof if the Director fails to do so plainsandocean.” oil per day when its safe he will be held in contempt Since the President’s production limit is 120,000 andimprisonedand/orfined. admission of Guyana’s barrels of oil per day For vulnerability in 2020, the Liza Unity, it is producing TUESDAY concerned Guyanese said overitssafetylimitpeggedat – NOV. 15, 2022 climate change conditions 220,000 barrels of oil per have gotten worse across the day

40 Guyanese, five earth They recalled that The citizens said this no organizations tells Hurricane Ian killed people d o u b t b r e a c h e s PresidentAli to pause, and damaged property in E x x o n M o b i l ’ s take stock of oil sector Cuba and the United States. Environmental Impact – say high-level probe There have been record heat Assessments (EIA) and needed to assess all waves in the United makes oil production more associated risks Kingdom Europe is dangerous.

sufferingitsworstdroughtin In light of the above, and A group of 40 Guyanese over 500 years. There is other critical concerns, the men and women from all shocking and heartbreaking 40 Guyanese and five walks of life along with five footage of floods in Nigeria organizationshavecalledfor civil society organizations whichkilledover500people a national moratorium on all havewrittentoPresident,Dr and forced 1 7 million petroleum operations in Irfaan Ali, to urge that he people out of their homes; Guyana. They reasoned that pauses and take stock of the floods in Pakistan which thisistoallowforGuyanese, oil and gas sector, killed 1717 and affected the owners and beneficiaries specifically as it pertains to another 33 million people; of all the oil and gas the inherent environmental drought killing children in resources, to collectively risks to the country and its Somalia. take stock of the oil and gas regionalneighbours. There is also shocking situation. They believe that

In the letter dated and heartbreaking footage such a step is necessary to November 11, 2022, the showing endangered also scientifically fact-check citizens told the Head of giraffes, elephants and other thecumulative State that they fear the wildlife dying from drought

Economist, Elson Low

President Ali wants local private sector to pay its fair share of taxes

...but refuses to impose taxes on Oil Companies

PresidentIrfaanAli has called on the local private sectortopayitsfairshareof taxesevenashisgovernment refuses to tax U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil and other oil companies currently operatinginGuyana.

The President was at the time speaking at the Business Development Forum hosted on November 11 and 12 at the Pegasus SuitesandCorporateCentre, Georgetown.

“Organizations and associations can’t get away under the umbrella of being an organization. We have to holdeverybodyaccountable. Thegovernment,theprivate sector, and the businesseswe talk about primitive taxation system but why don’t you Timothy, also address compliance? Because if everybody pays their fair share of taxes then youhavegreatercompliance and then can talk about reductiontoo,”PresidentAli remarked.

Speaking earlier at the

event was President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker, who argued the need for reforms to the existing tax regime. In fact, Tucker had made it clear that if government wants businesses to grow, the taxation system must be remedied to foster such development.

However, the President in his response reasoned, “Whytheprivatesectormust not take on the battle of tax compliance? We can’t have lopsided responsibility We have to have shared responsibility I share your burden, you share my burden.”

The President told the room of Guyanese investors that “It’s not an easy situation.”

On the sideline of that event, the GCCI President told reporters that over the years, local businesses in Guyana have been the driving factor in the country’s economy, and it is

time for the taxation policy to be reviewed so that small companies can enjoy benefitssimilartothatofoil giant,ExxonMobil.

Cognizantofthefactthat lastyearover$266Bintaxes were waived by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) with $203B alone to oil companies, the Chamber President called for tax incentives to be introduced forlocalbusinessestoallow growth and even regional expansion.

He explained that while he believes frontier companieslikeExxonMobil should be privy to tax exemptions given that they made investments in a very uncertain environment, Governmentmustfindaway toleveltheplayingfield.

“I would like to see somethingalsogiventolocal existingbusinessesthathave been here all the years that maybe want to go public or want to be able to redefine and re-innovate themselves, shouldbeabletohavesome sort of tax benefits that is

similar to what they are getting,”Tuckersaid.

Hewaskeentonote,“So you got a few companies in the country that are being taxedinthecorporaterate,a lotofpeopleoperatingunder and below the radar, hiding under the guise of sole proprietorship and then the multinationalconglomerates getthefreepass.”

Assuch,theGCCIHead alluded to the need for a revised taxation policy “So really the tax base is narrow butweneedmaybeamodern taxation system that encompasseseverybodyand beabletogetmoreofit…the PrivateSectorhasbeenhere working doing all of the work over the years, got the country surviving, paying thebillsreallyandtrulyneed a break and need something to look forward to and I believethatthetimeisnow.”

ItwasreportedthatGRA at the end of the fiscal year 2021 granted a total of $266.774B in tax waivers with a whopping $203.8B alonetotheoilandgassector

or 78.3 percent of all tax exemptions granted for the year

This information is contained in the Auditor General’s 2021 Report Notablythetaxwaiversalso amount to more than what the country gained in revenue from the oil sector duringthesameperiod.

AccordingtotheNatural Resource Fund (NRF) Summary, as at December 31, 2021 the total balance was $126,694,310,000

billion (US$633 47M); while the total tax waivers for this period amounted to US$1.019billion.

The tax body at the end of2021collectedthesumof $242.091billion.

So far, the Publisher of this newspaper, Mr Glenn Lall has filed a case in Guyana’s High Court challenging the tax giveaways in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) to the oil companies.

President IrfaanAli addressing the Business Development Forum

200 students graduate from Nations University

Nations School of Business Management, in

collaboration with the University of Bedfordshire on Saturday held its Annual Graduation Ceremony where 200 students successfully completed Diplomas, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s DegreeProgrammes.

President IrfaanAli and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, were among special invitees at thegraduationceremonywhichwasheldatthePegasus SuitesandCorporateCenter

The graduands received certificates from the UniversitiesofLondonandBedfordshireandAdvancing BusinessEducation(ABE).

President IrfaanAli poses with a graduate and his father

MOE hosts inaugural Nat’l Blind Education Conference

The Ministry of

Education’s Unit fortheBlindand Visually Impaired hosted the inaugural National B l i n d E d u c a t i o n Conference on Tuesday, at the National Library, Georgetown. The event was held in collaboration withtheGuyanaCouncilof Organisations for Persons withDisabilities(GCOPD).

The conference focused on the current approach to blind education and developing new directions forthefuture.

Delivering the keynote address, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson said the Ministry has developed a special needspolicy,whichtiesinto theEducationStrategicPlan (ESP) 2021 2025 Vision 2030 and addresses the needs of the blind and visuallyimpaired.

Thepolicy,henotedwas developed in recognition of the specific educational needsofpersonslivingwith disabilities, including the blindandvisuallyimpaired.

The CEO noted that regardless of location and otherfactors,resourceswill be made available for personstoaccesseducation. “Everypersonisborngifted and I believe that, every person, regardless of your circumstances, regardless of what impediment might be in your way Regardless ofwhatever,doesnotnegate the fact that, as a human being, you’re born and gifted.”

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal Four, which speaks to inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The CEO also made r e f e r e n c e t o t h e establishment of various schools which cater to persons living with disabilities,whilenotingthe need for a collective approach to tackling challenges which those personsencounter

“Collectively, we could beimpactfulandsowelook forward, as a ministry, for the reports that will come out of the conference those reports might be able to subsume into our strategicplansothatitmay

add value to what we do as wegoforward.

F u r t h e r , “ T h e GovernmentofGuyanawill be,in2023,screeningevery child in our school system, nursery, primary, and secondary for visual problems…Theeyesofthe children will be tested and they will receive tested lens,”Dr Hutsondisclosed.

The report will then be provided to the parents or guardians.

Meanwhile, the National Special Education Needs Officer, Savvie Hopkinson-Hamilton noted that children living with disabilities, whether it is visual impairment, or blindness, need to be nurturedthroughinstruction to develop their intellectual capabilities.

She pointed out that educating the visually impaired or blind is filled with challenges, which include architectural barriers, negative public attitudes, inadequate materials and equipment, and the cost of education, whichmustbemettoallow for the students to acquire qualityeducation.

Hopkinson Hamilton believes that visually impairedandblindstudents need a sense of integration intheeducationsystemand to be provided with the materials to enable them to cope with academic activities.

Visually impaired teachers, at the Ministry of Education’s Unit for the Blind and Visually Impaired, who attended the conference, noted that is a good starting point for improving access to educationfortheblind.

Teacher Rosemary Ramitt says the Unit will definitely continue to do theirparttoensurethegoals aremet.

“We will work to develop a list of recommendations that will be published and that we willuseasaguidetoassess the Ministry of Education’s work because we want to e n s u r e t h a t t h e recommendations that are madeareaddressed.”

Asif Khan, another teacher from the Unit believesaholisticapproach isneededatthistime.

“The major outcomes willdefinitelybe:whatis

Participants of the inaugural National Blind Education Conference

Waterfalls

Azeena Tahsir with small paintings

Salma Hack

Meet this week’s beauty, the alluring Salma Hack. Our Beauty of the Week is a 32-year old keyAccount Sale Representative and enjoys “creating and recreating” her body as a fitness enthusiast. Hack also enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with her family. She is very passionate about being her son’s best role model. Her favourite quote is “The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.”

VILLAGE

Bohemia

- Region Six is the epitome of tranquility and comfort

By Malisa Playter-Harry

A

snap from within the village of Bohemia

available, a plot of land was donated to the Government of You would not believe it if I Guyana by his mother-in-law to told you, but Bohemia, located have the Bohemia Health Centre, along the No.19 Public Road, is a which currently exists next door villageofjustfiveinhabitantsand to his house; and another plot of allfiveliveinonehousehold.Yes! land was donated by his wife’s You read right! The five persons grandfather to have the Bohemia are48-year-oldPeterDrepaul,his Primary School located not far wife and three children. The fromhishome. roadway O t h e r than the

village itself is located mere On the other s c h o o l , minutes away from the Berbice side of the public h e a l t h River Bridge at Palmyra, and just road, obliquely c e n t r e , about ten minutes away from the o p p o s i t e t h e

asphalt plant townshipofNewAmsterdam.

Bohemia Primar and his home, Drepaul, a fabricator and School, there is a new epaul said welder, also does cattle and asphalt plant being built, there is no other livestock farming and, according thatpieceoflandwasleasedto building in the village to him, the small village is a a businessman from Demerara, andnoothervillagers. familyestatewithlandsownedby Drepaul said. He added that with Whenwevisited,Drepaulwas hiswife’sgrandparents.Thelands thenewroadexpansion/widening entertaining a friend, well known were handed down to his mother project announced by Vice by many as ‘Harry’, he was in-lawandhertwosisters.

President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the enjoying a delicious lunch and Thefarmerandfabricatortold businessmandecidedtosetupthe having a chat with Drepaul. In a The Waterfalls when we visited asphalt plant to supply briefconversationwiththe that,whilethereisvastlandspace contractors working on the (Continued on page 25)

Some grill work that Drepaul had done but is not yet completed.

Peter Drepaul

The main canal that runs along the No.19 stretch

Bohemia Primary School

Bohemia Health Centre

The

entrance to the new asphalt plant at Bohemia

VILLAGE Bohemia...

From page 23 welder/fabricator, he revealed that he started the trade and acquired his welding and fabrication skills at the age of 13 from a man from Palmyra who was wheelchair bound. He added that his skill has allowed his businessestogrowwithpersonsfrom all across the region utilizing his services.

He said since he was younger, he developed a love for the job, and it inspired him to learn the skill which hehasdevelopedovertheyears.

“Since I small, I use to be around theguyandseeandlearn.”

The father of three noted that he loves what he does for a living and that he lives a simple and extremely comfortablelife.

He said that villagers from the neighbouring villages are friendly and everyone coexists amongst each other happily Many he said are engagedinfarmingactivities.

Over at the Bohemia Health Centre, there are quite a few of the government’s 10 day workers assistingwiththedailyrunningofthe facility

The health centre services the entire No.19 stretch. Children from the neighbouring villages attend the BohemiaPrimarySchoolandwhileit is usually a tranquil community with littleornoissues,thevillagehadquite a scare a few days ago when a man rushed into the school with a cutlass to attack a parent. Other than that, Drepaul said, there is no crime and theydonothaveanyissues.

We were given the opportunity to visittheasphaltplant,whileithasnot yet been completed, it was quite impressive. There were two workers who usually stay at the location to look over daily, they were too shy to speak and were occupied with some workatthelocation.

Drepaul thanked us for visiting and said he looks forward to seeing and reading about his village, Bohemia.

A section of land space in Bohemia

One of Drepaul’s children bringing in the sheep after grazing.

The home of Drepaul and his family

The inside of the asphalt plant.

COP 27 versus Leonora - one great big joke, hoax

The first thing to be said revivalist frenzies of oil done. That is, a favorable which endangers the world, t h a t w o r l d about the new great (oil) companies worshipping field grassed by these key and Guyana experienced leaders are game is that it is serious: all fossilfuels. Twosidesofthe fertilizers: money, fairness, withlastyear’sflooding. hallucinating, or the big powers are in it. oil apple, with leaders deliveringoncommitments. In Formula I Guyana, they are the Those Guyanese thinking, stringingtheworldalong. F u r t h e r, t h e U N there was that “Suppliers’ g r e a t e s t hoping, wishing for either America’s Joe Biden, the Secretary General was Forum” at Leonora. It is pretenders in all riches, or safety, or some say UK’s Rishi Sunak, and armed with a report about savagely ironic, a drill in the of civilization in this oil wealth of ours lose China’s Emperor XI went “empty pledges” His nose, by the oil companies It is more than onallcounts. Oilcompanies through their solemn paces clarion calls about “the operating here as to the greenwashing, have seen to it, and with serious faces, played world is on a highway to peculiar timing of the but the gaping, influential global leaders are word games, engaged in hell”and“tippingpointsthat Leonora gathering, a bona widening black part of the pretence, this choreographed oil ballets, will make climate chaos fide oil producers’ summit. hole in which great big hoax. Guyana’s about where things are, and irreversible” emphasize the It was a deliberate spitting the planet finds leaders are pleased to go what to do. These are need for urgent, authentic upon COP27 and its itself being along for the ride, content to nothing but the worst of action. objectives. In Lenora, e n v e l o p e d be bit players. Thinking hypocrites, utter frauds, and Those chosen phrases ExxonMobil, Tullow, G u y a n a i s about this, there are many pathological deceivers compress into grim, CNOOC (check their victimized by resources, and the eternal thingstosay without equal. The first side apocalyptical proximity origins) gathered to speak circumstances, helpless domination of the advanced As global leaders of their split personalities Theyarereal. UnrealareJoe with religious fervor of oil, before the invaders of our over the backward. Locals assembled in Egypt for wring hands, shed tears, and Biden with doing part to while their leaders were in shores. I think the PPP get sucked into the vortex, COP27, there was a takeferventoaths. Itreflects avoid “climate hell”, Rishi E g y p t s o l e m n l y Government was in order to gladly contribute their gathering of corporate thedepthsoftheircleverness Sunakspeakingof“roomfor pontificating about the need send who it sent to Egypt, treacheries. powers for a “Suppliers’ and deviousness, their h o p e ” a m i d r a p i d to do more, to transition, and given its own ambitions,

By GHK Lall

As aside, I understand Forum” right here in delicate balancing act that transitioning to renewables, to respond timely to the priorities,andarrangements. that the gathering at Leonora Leonora. Two sides of the leaves with pants falling while China’s XI settled for wakeup calls resonating In sum, I detect this was financed by Exxon. It apple. COP27 is about dire down. ‘climate cooperation’ globally paradox, this contradiction: mustbecostrecoverable. concerns for the planet, the They propagate the right These leaders must be Somebody is playing a there is COP27 with serious G o v e r n m e n t a n d devastations inflicted on things about climate change, c o n g r a t u l a t e d f o r game here. Oil sheiks in v i s i o n s a n d e m p t y President may fool

poorer countries, action to butfailedtoexecutetheright articulating the right Guyana have made their objectives; then there was themselves and Guyanese ease the burdens of injured remedialthingsthattheyhad p l a t i t u d e s w i t h position clear: we are racing Leonora which was of the thattheyhavefoundtheright societies, how to wean away promised It takes accompanying correct forward, COP27 or COP35, ecstasy and effervescence of balance, but unless done from fossils, and how to Barbados’s Mia Mottley to degree of smooth faced, ParisAgreement,Kyoto,and fossilfuels. right, we are digging our strike a balance with sound the gong of where the silver tongued piety that all. TheirresponsetoSharm Economics, too. Taken own graves, with the crumbs economic objectives and world is heading (especially only politicians can muster El Sheik is one big middle intandem,oilpowersandoil thrown our way to stifle the human safety Meanwhile, poor, vulnerable ones), the I dismiss them and their finger companies are ruthless barks. Climate change, Guyana’s Suppliers’ Forum deficits they face, what is deeds as the usual Placing Leonora next to exploiters, with eyes on what’sthat? at Leonora was of the demanded, what must be “greenwashing” by powers, Sharm-El Sheik, it is either economics, hegemony on

Tips for staying faithful to your fitness routine

ByDavinaBagot

Very often, we c o m m i t t o different things and fall off, like being faithfultoapartnerorajob we thought we would always enjoy no matter what! It’s very easy throw inthetowelonthesethings, butwhenitcomestofitness, something we should do for ourselves, it is very important that we stay faithful and be good to our bodies to ensure our overall healthandwellbeing.

I came across an interesting article a while back that was medically reviewed by Dr. Carol DerSarkissian, a certified emergency physician in the United States, that has actually been motivating to me. These tips were put together by WebMD and I could not have put it better myself.

1. Do it for yourself. Studies show that people who are “externally motivated” that is, they hit the gym just to look good at a class reunion don’t stick with it Those who are “internally motivated”—meaningthey exercisebecausetheyloveit —aretheoneswhostayinit forthelongrun.

2.Takebabysteps.You would never try to run 10 miles on day one, right? When you do too much too soon, you’ll end up sore,

injured, and discouraged Take it easy as you get started Maybeyouonlyrun aquarterofamileyourfirst week. When that becomes easy, you can make it more challenging.

3. Hang tough. No one has perfect form the first day of strength training. Every workout takes practice.You’llgetthehang of it if you keep making an effort.

4 Mix it up Do different types of workouts to keep things interesting and to exercise different

muscle groups If the elliptical machine is usuallyyourthing,hopon the stair climber for some cardioinstead.Also,switch between machines and free weights when you strengthtrain. You don’t have to reinvent your entire routine everyweek,butyoudowant toshiftitaroundalittle.

5. Don’t be your own drill sergeant. Half of all people who start a new exercise program ditch it withinthefirstyear Itoften happens because they can’t keepuptheboot camppace

t h e y ’ v e

forced on themselves. It’s better to work within your limits, and gradually get stronger

Bringafriend When

your inner demons order you to hit the couch instead of the treadmill, a workout partner can steer you back intherightdirection

It’s easier to bail out on the gym than on the friend who waits for you there. Studies show you’ll also work out longer when you haveapalalong.

7. Show the clock who’s boss Health experts say you should aim for at least 150 minutes of exerciseaweek(30minutes aday,fivetimesaweek,for example), plus wei ght tra in i n gatleasttwice a week. Can’t find room in yourcrazyschedule?Takea closer look. If you work too late to get to a gym, keep a set of weights at home. If you can’t do 30 minutes at once, break exercise

sessions up into 10- or 15minutebursts.

8. Get used to it Your workout should be just as much a habit as brushing your teeth or eating breakfast When it’s part of your routine, you won’t even have to think about it In afew months,fitnesscan be a regular feature in your day

9. Live in the present. So, what if you missed a week at the gym and polished off a pint of ice cream over the weekend? Leave the guilt in the past You have a chance to get back into your routine today

10.Keepitreal.You’re not going to skim off 30 pounds in a week Aim for somethingthat’srealisticas a first step. For instance, increase your workout schedule from two to three days a week,orexercisefor 15moreminuteseachtime.

11. Track it. Keep a fitnessjournaloruseanapp to record your progress forexample,howmuchyou run, walk, or lift and the caloriesyouburn

12 Celebrate! It takes weeks to see real changes Evenapoundofweightloss orapoundofmusclegainis reason to reward yourself Go out with friends, or spring for a new pair of

Fearless Fight for Climate Fairness

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States of A m e r i c a a n d t h e Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto)

Showingallthefrankness that he demonstrates in his domestic politics, Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, marched fearlessly like Danielinthelion'sden,when he made several demands in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt where COP 27 is being held. At the heart of his presentation was the preservation of the homelands of his own fellow Antiguans and Barbudans, and, also of the homelands of all small island states everywhereintheworld.

To one bad extent or another, climate change, and its attendant global warming, is destroying island nations by increasingly frequent and more intense storms, and by constant erosion of their limited and precious land mass.

Prime Minister Browne spoke for the people of these countries when he told world leaders at COP27, “We don't wanttobeclimaterefugeesin anybody's country We want to maintain our civilizations that have existed for hundredsofyears”.

TheAntiguaandBarbuda Prime Minister, who is also the Chair of the 39-member Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), insisted that the world's major polluters, which have contributed the most to the destructive impact of climate change, have a responsibility to pay forthedamagethattheyhave caused and continue to inflict. He was fearless in calling out not only the longest polluting countries, such as the United States of America (U.S.) and European nations, but also ChinaandIndia-morerecent largepolluters.

The current accurate data on the world's biggest CO2 emitters, compiled by Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research, reveals that the top 6 countries, at October 2021 by percentage of global emissions, were: China (32.48), the U.S. (12.61) the 27 European Union (E.U.) countries(7.29),India(6.71), Russia (4 66) and Japan (2.95). This means that,

excluding the 27 EU countries, the other 5 countries are responsible for 59.41% of the emissions that cause climate change When the E.U. countries are added,thetotalis66.7%.

Itcanhardlybefairorjust that the governments of 32 nations should be pursuing policies that result in the destruction of livelihoods in almost 200 territories, particularly as the latter contribute the least to global pollution.

Forinstance,the39small island states of AOSIS together contribute less than 1%ofglobalCO2emissions.

While arguing that “large polluting countries must take responsibility for the torts that they are c o m m i t t i n g o n a l l humanity”, Browne accepts that China and India should be accorded “special and differential treatment” in m e e t i n g t h e i r responsibilities.

In making the case for “loss and damage” to be included in the agenda of COP27,andforthelaunchof a Fund to provide monies for impacted countries to build resilience to climate change, t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r acknowledged that China and India, although now large CO2 emitters, should not be required to contribute in the same way as countries inEuropeandNorthAmerica that have been creating the conditions of climate change foralmosttwocenturies.

He was right to spell out the problem as courageously as he did. As he explained, China and India should pay “what is equitable and fair”, but the “bigger share of responsibilities still lies with the developed countries that have been historically responsible for planet warming greenhouse gas emissions”.

In allof this, Browne was championingtherightsofthe people of all small island states. Standing up for those rightsrequiresacommitment to justice and equity. It also requires fearlessness and gumption, both of which GastonBrownehasshownhe will employ in defense of the rights of his own people and the people of other small island states whose existence isseverelythreatened.

As matters now stand at COP 27, no one should hold their breath that anything concrete will be delivered regarding “loss and damage”. On the date this commentaryisbeingwritten, November 17, a 20 page draft agreement is on the table for negotiation in

Egypt, but, so far, it only “welcomes" the beginning of discussions on launching a loss and damage fund. The draft includes no details for launchingit.

It is unlikely that the world'spolluterswillagreeto a Fund for loss and damage. China and India have already madeitclearthatsuchaFund should be established by Western nations. Countries, like the U.S. and the EU, do not accept that China, now the second largest economy in the world, and India, now the fifth largest global economy, can any longer describe themselves as “developing countries”, or escape their obligations in the context of climate change.

On November 16, the EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Frans Timmerman, declaredthat“Chinaisoneof the biggest economies on the planet with a lot of financial strength. Why should they not be co-responsible for fundinglossanddamage?”

Clearly, Gaston Browne was realistic enough to have nohighexpectationthatCOP 27 would effectively address loss and damage, even though he might have held out a remote hope Therefore,atCOP27,healso called for the major oil and gas corporations to pay a global carbon tax which could be included in a loss anddamagefund.

He pointed out that, in the first half of this year, six fossil fuel companies alone had made nearly US$70 billioninprofits-“morethan enough money to cover the costs of major climate damages in developing nations”.

This call was also made by U.N. Secretary General, António Guterres, Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottley and leaders of Pacific islandstates.

But the oil majors have argued that if they are taxed, theywillnotbeabletoinvest in new oil production, which the U.S and the E.U. nations want them to do, to compensate for not buying Russian oil. The powerful oil lobbies in North America and Europe will work to ensure their governments continuetoprotectthem.

Nonetheless, Browne was right to expose the huge profitsthatarebeingmadeby the major oil companies, and to identify, for the governments of large polluting nations, a large source of the money needed to create a loss and damage fund.

At COP 27, the Antigua

and Barbuda Prime Minister acknowledged that small countriescanbeignored,and their interests shunted aside by large and powerful nations.

Consequently, he announced that “not as an act ofhostility,buttoseekjustice for small island states”, he and the leaders of Tuvalu, Palau and Niue will use international law and international arbitration “to explore the responsibility of States for injuries arising from internationally wrongful acts caused by the

breach of their obligations” S e v e n t e e n s e a s o n e d i n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w y e r s w i l l advance that case to the International Tribunal of the LawoftheSea.

Prime Minister Browne has shown his fearlessness in standing up for the small and the vulnerable in a world which, increasingly, is witnessing a return to the dangerous policy that might

Sir Ronald Sanders

is right. There is benefit in hisgumptionandhiscandour infightingforjustice.

Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

O' Beautiful Guyana!

The National Museum

Oldfashionedasitmayseemtoday,there is no doubt that Guyana's National Museum continues to be a longstanding safe haven for the nation's cultural, social and political history

But to appreciate the importance of this institution,onemustreflectonitsgenesis.

This prized entity was established on 13 February 1868. In fact, the idea for the establishment of this historical site can be credited to the members of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society (RACS)ofthethenBritishGuiana.

Research indicates that when RACS was established in 1844, one of its aims was to construct a Museum to house local minerals, soils, timbers, fruits, seeds, gums, resins, dyes and drugs, as well as the flora and fauna ofthecountry

The Waterfalls understands that British explorer Robert Schomburgk,the German botanist Carl Ferdinand Appun, Mr Bratt, and W H Campbell presented gifts (including 55 indigenous woods, minerals from England, and specimens of botany and geology) to the RACS in order to start a Museum Collection. Unfortunately, a fire in 1864destroyedthedonatedcollections.

ABritish Guiana Museum Company was established in 1867 for the construction of a building which should be the permanent home of science, art, and industry This project received great financial support from the public and the new museum on Company Path was opened on February 13, 1868. The Colonist newspaper of that date described it asa"magnificentstructure."

The museum's first curator was Dr H. Witlock, the Medical Officer of Health. He was succeeded by Mr Fresson. Everard im Thurnwaslaterappointedbythegovernment in 1877. He was a qualified curator who travelled to the interior in search of specimensofethnologyandotherexhibitsfor the Museum. When the RACS launched the Timehri Journal, Mr im Thurn served as its editor Other curators who made noteworthy contributions were John Quelch, James RodwayandDr WalterRoth.

In 1934, the Georgetown Public Free Library received a second storey, made possible through grants from the Carnegie Corporation, which was used to house the Museumcollections.

The government assumed responsibility for the RACS Museum in 1936, renaming it the British Guiana Museum It was administered by the Georgetown Public Free Library Committee. Mr P Storer Peberdy became the new curator in that year During his administration the Economic, Anthropological and Historical Section was opened in the upper flat of the Public Free Libraryon19thFebruary1937.

The Director of Education and the Curator arranged for public lectures to be given in the Museum. Mr Peberdy travelled into the interior and obtained material which was added to the British Guiana Museum

collection. He was succeeded byVincentRothin1943.

On 23rd February 1945, a fire that startedattheBookersDrugStore,opposite the British Guiana Museum, spread to the Natural History Section of the Museum and the RACS Reading Rooms and Library Fortunately, the Public Free Library was not affected by the fire, sparing the ethnological collection. After the fire, Lot 53 Main Street was used as a taxidermy laboratory for the reconstructionofnaturalhistoryexhibits.

Then governor, Sir Gordon Lethem, met with government officials on 16th March 1945toproposetheconstructionofacultural centre on the site of the destroyed British Guiana Museum. The building would house the RACS Reading Rooms, the British Guiana Museum and an auditorium for dramatic presentations. It was recommended that a request be made for funding from the Colonial Development and Welfare Commission.Subsequently,theRACSbegan construction of the new Library and Reading Rooms.

The colonial government voted sums of money for the education of Ram Singh, the museum's taxidermist. In 1946, Mr Singh travelled to the United States to study taxidermy, botany, anthropology and zoology He returned to British Guiana in 1947. Before his departure, the taxidermy

laboratory was removed from Main Street to the former Cummingsburg market (1946). During the following years, a temporary National HistoryMuseumwasestablishedandopened in1949.

As use of the Public Free Library expanded, new space for the museum was considered.InJuly1950,theRACSassumed control of the British Guiana Museum from the Public Free Library The new museum buildingatNorthRoadandHincksStreetwas reopenedonJuly28,1951byHisExcellency, the Officer Administering the Government, theHonourableJohnGutch.

The National Museum is divided into basically three sections- Natural History, Social History and Industrial. The Museum opensonMondaytoSaturdayfrom9:00amto 5:00pm.

Today, the museum represents an interesting collection of exhibits The museum continues to grow with the staging

of exhibitions and educational awareness programmes aimed at bringing the museum to life, a source of inspiration for those who walkthroughitsdoorseveryday

Some of the artifacts that can be found in theNationalMuseumare:

SocialSection

· A model of the Government Fire boatLadyWoolley

· Variety of Dolls – Indian dolls, Hindu Guyanesedoll

·Carsfromthetwentiethcentury

·Amodelofgoldanddiamondmining NaturalSection

·Giantanteater

·Modeloffruitsandvegetables EconomicandMineralogy(Industrial)

·Collectionofdifferenttypesofminerals There are lots more artifacts that can be found.

...A longstanding sanctuary for Guyana's cultural, social and political history histor

THE

Court Journal

Orin Jerrick

Thirty eight year old Orin

Jerrick was on November 15,

sentencedto10yearsbutwillonly

serve two years for the 2014 fatal

stabbingofaminibusdriver

Jerrick will only spend two

years behind bars due to the fact

that Justice Simon’s Morris

Ramlall ordered that the eight

years he spent on remand be

deductedfromhissentence.

Jerrick of Ann’s Grove, East

Coast Demerara was sentenced by

Justice Morris Ramlall at the

DemeraraHighCourt.

In October, Jerrick who was

A compilation of November convictions for murder, manslaughter

By Renay Sambach

of 20 year old opted to plead guilty to the lesser

arraigned for the capital offence

Richard Noel, a fruit vendor also countofmanslaughter ofKitty

He admitted that on that on Thirty-seven-year-old Darrell

McKenzie was sentenced by July 31, 2014, at the Plaisance Williams, a farmer of Moco Moco

Justice Sandil Kissoon at the mini-busparkatRegentStreetand Village in Central Rupununi, Demerara High Court Justice Avenue of the Republic, Region Nine (Upper Takutu Kissoon sentenced McKenzie to Georgetown, he unlawfully killed Upper Essequibo), was sentenced 30 years imprisonment with the GavinFiffee. to 12 years’ imprisonment for possibility of parole after serving

Back in 2016, Jerrick was killingElvisAulicio,a44-year-old 25years. found guilty by a jury for Brazilian national, on December

In October last, a mixed 12murdering Fiffee He was 26,2018. member jury that was empaneled sentenced by Justice Navindra Williams was sentenced by for the trial returned with a not Singhto28year’simprisonment. Justice Brassington Reynolds at guilty verdict for the capital However, his lawyers theDemeraraHighCourt. offence, but found McKenzie successfully appealed the Williams opted to plead to the guiltyofmanslaughter. conviction and sentence and as lesser count when he was indicted

McKenzie had denied the such,aretrialwasorderedin2020. formurder. charge, which stated that on June

According to reports, on the According to reports, the two 4, 2018, at Stabroek Market, day in question, Fiffee, 30, of men were known to each on and Georgetown,hemurderedNoel. Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, on the day in question, Aulicio

The deceased and the accused was involved in an argument with and Williams, along with other were known to each other and the Jerrick at the Plaisance Bus Park friends, were at a birthday year prior to Noel’s death, the two duringwhichhewasstabbedtohis celebration consuming alcohol, had a misunderstanding after chest. when the two got into a heated McKenzie reportedly assaulted

It was reported that the argument Noel’ssister argument ensued after Fiffee Williams accused Aulicio of

According to reports, the objectedtoJerrickurinatingonhis stealing his haversack which murder allegedly stemmed from bus. containedvaluablesandmeat the old grievance between

The argument escalated and Aulicio then left the birthday McKenzieandNoel.Onthedayin Jerrick pulled out a knife and celebration, but was followed by question, around 13:15 hours, stabbed the bus driver to his chest. Williams. McKenzie had allegedly Fiffee was rushed to the Itwaswhilethetwomenwere

approached Noel in the vicinity of Georgetown Public Hospital on a track in the open savannah at Cornhill Street, Georgetown, in where he succumbed to the Moco Moco Village, Central the company of another man and injuries.

Rupununi, that they began theyhadaconfrontation.

Darrel Williams arguing again Williams pulled

This reportedly led to Noel being stabbed twice to the chest. Noel fell to the ground and was rushed to the Georgetown Public out a knife from his pocket and Timothy

Hospital where he succumbed to allegedly stabbedAulicio several Twenty-five-year-old Timothy hisinjuries. times about his neck and upper McKenzie, a minibus conductor, body

The body of Aulicio was left on the trail. Miners who were passing discovered him, and took himtotheLethemPublicHospital wherehewaspronounceddeadon arrival.

Jermaine Bristol

Former police officer JermaineBristolwassentencedto life imprisonment for the 2018 stabbingdeathofhisreputedwife, Shanece Lawrence, at their Lot 272 Freeman Street, East La Penitence,Georgetownhome.

The sentence was handed downbyJusticeSandilKissoonat theDemeraraHighCourt.

Bristol had confessed to murdering Lawrence on August 22, 2018, at Freeman Street, East

La Penitence, Georgetown

Detectives found the woman’s

body lying in a pool of blood with

ablackknifestuckinherneck.

Meanwhile, during the

sentencinghearingonWednesday,

JusticeKissoonincitinganumber

of cases said that the seriousness

of the crime and the manner in

whichthe24-year-oldwomanmet

her death necessitated the life

sentence.

The judge also referenced the

prevalence of domestic violence.

In handing down his sentence, of Thomas Street, Kitty,

Justice Kissoon ordered that Georgetown, was sentenced to 30

Bristol must serve a minimum of years imprisonment for the 2018

35 years before being eligible for fatal stabbing

parole.

McKenzie

Convicted, Orin Jerrick Dead, Gavin Fiffee

Dead, Shanece Lawrence Convicted, Darrel Williams

Convicted, Timothy McKenzie Dead, Richard Noel

Convicted, Jermaine Bristol

Health Facts

Diabetes is a major health threat to Guyanese

This year’s theme for diabetes The Health earlydetectionandtreatment regularly m o r e f o r W o r l d Minister said that it is one of are key, along with public Everyone has a role to accurate Diabetes Day is the leading causes of policies and primary play in addressing diabetes, t h a n a

‘ a c c e s s t o prematuredeathandillness. healthcare services that particularly the Food blood sugar diabetes education, He explained that while educate and support people Industry, by reducing the available underpins the larger multi- d i a b e t e s a n d i t s to prevent them from amount of sugars and fats in nationwide, year theme of ‘access to complications are largely developingdiabetesandhelp processed food and starting in Regions care.’ preventable, prevention and those who have diabetes to sweetenedbeverages. TwoAndNine.

By Rehanna Ramsay

These targets include Education is important management strategies are manageiteffectively TACKLING DIABETES The next goal, the ensuring that 80 percent of given that for Guyana and crucial to reduce morbidity Additionally, he said the Given that chronic Minister said is world-class people living with diabetes therestoftheworld,diabetes and mortality r i s k o f disease is a major health diabetes prevention and are diagnosed; 80 per cent of isamajorhealthissue. to Guyanese, the treatment available at health people with diagnosed

In the lead-up to y of Health is centres nationwide – (not diabeteshavegoodglycemic Diabetes Day which collaborating with several just pills and insulin), but control; 80 percent of people observedon14November international partners to also health coaching on how diagnosed with diabetes the World Heal sure that every to change one’s diet and have good control of their Organisation (WHO) erson living in lifestyle to avoid health bloodpressure;60percentof highlighted not only G u y a n a i s problems. people with diabetes of 40 the challenges but provided with There is also a plan to years or older receive statins more importantly the best diabetes introduce electronic tools to and 100 percent of people the solutions, to care. assisthealthcareprovidersto with type 1 diabetes have scaling up access One such track progress in preventing access to affordable insulin t o d i a b e t e s partner is the andtreatingdiabetes. and blood glucose self medicinesandcare. Mount Sinai Dr Anthony said the Pan monitoring. In the interim, In Guyana, a Health System, to A m e r i c a n H e a l t h Dr Anthonyurgesthepublic similar course o promote testing for Organization/World Health to educate themselves about actionwastakentomark diabetes status, and Organization is also thechronicdisease. the occasion. In his of res world class supportingtheestablishment

“For those already living message,Ministerof diabetes prevention and ofaDiabetesCentre,andthe with diabetes, I encourage D r F r a n k A n t treatment are available at planningandorganizationof you to stay informed about h i g h l i g h t e d centres nationwide. comprehensive services for the disease, follow your information on Diabetes that This partnership includes the screening, treatment and and improving developing doctor’s advice and ensure isspecifictoGuyana. the testing for diabetes management of individuals patientoutcomes. diabetes can be minimized you stay active and eat

He noted that in Guyana s t a t u s , u s i n g t h e at risk and or affected by

EARLY DETECTION by eating healthy foods that healthily since diabetes affects 1 in 10 “haemoglobina1c”test. diabetes. The Minister, therefore, are low in fat and calories,

The quality of health you adults. Dr Anthony said this Further, in villages and The Minister stressed stressed that early detection with an emphasis on fruits, enjoy will be determined by number can be higher since clinics, the Health Minister that action is needed now, as is essential for managing vegetablesandwholegrains; your ability to take care of many Guyanese do not said the plan is to make a Guyana has committed to diabetes. avoiding excessive use of yourself,”hesaid. undergo regular screening simple, portable blood test – WHOtargetsby2030. Dr Anthony noted that alcohol; and exercising

InterestingCreatures...

The Black Caiman

By Shervin Belgrave

numbers to Guyana just to old. She said that Sankar has study these amazing been hanging outside of the

The black caiman is one animals. River Lodge in the of the largest species of In fact, research on the Essequibo River for a alligators that can reach a black caiman by American numberofyears. massive size of almost six scientists led to the founding He made friends at the meters long with a lifespan of the Caiman House Eco R i v e r L o d g e a f t e r of 50 to 80 years old. Its Lodge in Central Rupununi. researchers began feeding s c i e n t i f i c n a m e i s Among the many black him scraps of meat each Melanosuchusniger and is caimans that inhabit this part time he showed up and, in considered to be a large ofGuyana,onehasbecomea return, he made himself one crocodilian. celebrity and would often of the main attractions

This interesting creature make his way to the there. is listed as an endangered Iwokrama River Lodge to According to La Rose, speciesthatisnativetoSouth m e e t t o u r i s t s a n d Sankar has a missing limb America, and Guyana is one researchers. Workers at the and they suspect that he of the few places on earth lodge have nicknamed him might have lost it during a fight with another male caiman. to

Sometimes, Sankar suggests, they are dark in thunder for communication hatch, and they open the nest wouldleavetheRiverLodge colour withtheirownspecies. to help with the hatching for lengthy periods, but Their dark leathery scaly Notmuchisknownabout process. would always return to skin gives them the perfect the black caiman’s mating Females would often spend time with his friends camouflage at night to habits, but crocodilian males nest close together, so large there. Researchers believe pounce on unsuspecting generally mate with more numbers of hatchlings that during those periods, prey than one female during emerge at the same time at Sankar would go looking for Black caimans use their matingseasons. thestartofthewetseason. a‘girlfriend’. sensitivesightandhearingto It is thought that female A mother will try to care Although Sankar seems catch birds, fish, turtles, black caimans nest from for her young for a few friendly, visitors at the River capybaras, and some larger September to December months, but they are largely Lodge would be warned not mammals. during the dry season, when independent. to get too close to him, or

They have teeth that are water levels drop, and fish Most do not make it to even to go swimming in the made to grasp their food, but have only shallow pools to adulthood Female black riverbecauseheisstillawild not chew or kill it, so they swim in, providing an easy caimansbreedonlyoncein2 animalthatislargeenoughto normally drown their catch andabundantmeal. to3years. killahumanbeing. thattheycanbefound.Large Sankar and, if it is of a small enough These animals use plant Source of information Although black caimans black caimans can be seen One of Guyana’s size,swallowitwhole. material to build a nest used in this article: Black rarely attack humans, they basking in the sun along the r e n o w n e d

If the prey is too large mound measuring around caiman - Wikipedia, Black can still be extremely banks of the Rupununi River environmentalists, Jean La then the black caiman would 1.5 meters across, where a Caiman-Facts,Diet,Habitat dangerous if they feel in Region Nine, and it is one Rose during an interview leave it to rot, and, when large clutch of as many as 65 & Pictures on Animalia.bio, threatened. of the reasons why foreign with The Waterfalls a while decayed enough, they return eggsarelaid. Black Caiman – Photos of These large reptiles, biology students and back had related that Sankar toeatit. Females remain close to G u y a n a however, are apex predators scientists travel in their might be around 20 years

These large reptiles also their nests, waiting 42 to 90 (guyanasouthamerica.gy) that prefer hunting at night

Black Caimans basking in the sun along the bank of the Rupununi River, Region Nine (Photo credit: Guyana South America)

Sankar, a black caiman liming at the Iwokrama River Lodge

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

DISPELLING FEARS ABOUT LASH EXTENSIONS AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS

ByLatoyaZephyr Allergicreactions cyanoacrylate If you’re

That’s why we don’t induced by the

If you’ve always wanted Firstly, allergic reactions allergic to this compound, patch test and recommend adhesive fumes to get beautiful, lush lashes, due to lash extensions are f u l l r e m o v a l i s that if you’ve had a reaction Symptoms are similar to you may think about extremely rare Common recommended to prevent inthepast,justdon’tgetlash thatofanallergicreaction, booking an appointment for symptoms of allergic furthercomplications.Some extensions. We know you’d but irritation will subside need to worry too much extensions. reactionscouldbeanyofthe salonswilldoapatchtestto love them, but if you’re once the adhesive properly aboutit.Atliftandlashes,we However, are they really following: swollen eyes or with a drop of glue on a allergic, you’ll probably cures. work in a well-ventilated safe? What if you were eyelids, redness of the sensitive area of skin like alwaysbeallergic.

Irritation can also occur room.Weutilisetape,aswell allergic? cornea,andordiscomfortor behind your ear, but we’ve Having an allergic overalongerperiodoftime, as quick-drying glue that I get you. At Lift and itchiness around the eye foundthatinmanycasesthis reaction on only one eye is when bacteria build up driesinsecondstominimise Lashes,wetakemeasuresto area. can lead to a ‘false-positive’ highlyunlikely,butyoumay When lashes are worn for a fumes, and therefore reduce minimise the risks of clients These symptoms might result where the client experience irritation on just long time, bacteria can theriskofirritation. havinganallergicreactionor also occur 48 hours or more doesn’t react and then oneeyeforotherreasons. accumulateeitherontheglue

We also make sure to irritation In this article after lash application and assumes she’s in the clear – Irritations or on the lashes themselves. explain lash aftercare to our though, I’ll dispel some of likely won’t subside over then after extensions are While lash extensions If this happens, make sure clients,neworregular,allto your lash-related fears by time. applied it becomes apparent are considered low risk that you go to your eye ensure that you can enjoy answering some of your Clientsmaybeallergicto that she actually is allergic when done by skilled doctor immediately your lashes and be most frequently asked the lash glue itself due to its and needs to get a full technicians, there is still a Irritationcanbetreatedwith beautifullyworry-free. questions. b a s e i n g r e d i e n t : removal. riskforirritation.Thiscanbe medication, so there’s no Management at E yourselvesintheWorldCup November 20 to December Networks is pleased to action in crystal-clear high 18,2022. inform its subscribers that it definition on all of E Need to catch the action is all set for the premier of Netwo

Dietary Tips For People With Psoriasis

An autoimmune suffer from psoriasis may Include plant based d i s o r d e r , also have Celiac disease, proteins like tofu, lean psoriasis is a which is an autoimmune proteinandfishinthediet.

diseaseinwhich disease.

·Herbslikethyme,sage, the body attacks its own Glutenisaproteinthatis ginger and cumin are rich in tissue. The body starts to found in wheat and other antioxidants. overproduce skin cells, grains and an intolerance to ·Legumeslikebeansand creating red and scaly gluten causes the body to certaintypesoflentils patches, known as plaques, attack the small intestine’s · A fist full of nuts and ontheskin. tissue. Cutting down gluten seeds walnuts, flaxseeds

Itchyandpainfulplaques fromthediethasbeenshown andalmondsarerichsources a r e t r i g g e r e d b y to reduce the effects of ofomegathreefattyacids. environmental factors like psoriasis in people with ·Wholegrains infections and stress glutenintolerance. Consult a dietician to Psoriasis not just affects the come up with an effective skin but also affects joints,

FOOD TO EAT psoriasisdietplanadjunctto eyes and mental health The food items which your prescribed treatment. Therefore, one must consult combat and reduce Obesity can worsen the a doctor for diagnosis and inflammationinthebodyare effects of psoriasis and you treatmentforthiscondition. known to be beneficial for might want to work towards

There is no scientific people with psoriasis and losing weight as well. In abouttherightdiet. contains a protein called · Saturated and trans evidencethatsupportsacure they may help reduce flare- addition to a healthy diet, casein, which can cause fats:Redmeat,cheese,fried for psoriasis with diet, but ups,reducingthesymptoms. make some lifestyle

FOODS TO AVOID digestive problems in some food, margarine and fast experts suggest a positive Followingahealthydietalso changes. Get ample rest, Worsening the effects of people. Studies show that food are known foods that correlation between a reduces the risks of type 2 adequate sleep, regular psoriasis, these are some of psoriasis conditions have trigger inflammation and healthy diet and lifestyle diabetes, cardiovascular exercise and reduce stress the beverages and foods to improvedbycuttinghigh-fat worsenpsoriasis. with reduced severity of diseasesandcertaintypesof levels.Ifyousmoke,quit. avoidwithpsoriasis: dairyfromthediet. psoriasis. cancer Making changes in the · Alcohol: Consumption · Added sugar: Natural

Expertssaythatthereisa dietisthebestandtheeasiest of excessive amounts of R e f i n e d sugar in food like fruits is a close link between psoriasis

The best food items to waytocombattheeffectsof alcohol overworks the liver, carbohydrates: Refined partofthepsoriasisdietplan. and diet, as there are many include in the diet for autoimmune disorders like causing long term

carbohydratesarecountedas However, added sugar in food groups that can cause psoriasisare: psoriasis and to reduce inflammation. Additionally, foods that trigger psoriasis. fruit juices, candy, soda and inflammationthroughoutthe Whole Fruits and inflammation.Ifyoususpect alcohol damages good These items include white sweets is bad and the body body vegetables Cherries and that a particularfood item is b a c t e r i a , c a u s i n g bread, white rice, pasta, produces excessive insulin

For some people, these berries are good fruits for triggering the effects of inflammation in the colon breakfast cereals and some to process the sugar These food items can worsen the psoriasis, as are green leafy psoriasis, consult your andintestines. pastries. These food items foods increase the levels of effectsofpsoriasis. vegetables Consume 2 3 doctor(https://pharmeasyin have no fibre and whole cytokines,whichisaprotein Sufferingfrompsoriasis? portions of fresh seasonal /blog/dietary tips for · Dairy: Dairy products grains and can contain a lot thatcausesinflammation. Readaheadtolearnmore fruitsandveggieseveryday people-with-psoriasis/) are rich in fat. Cow’s milk ofsugar · Gluten: People who

10 Amazing Health Benefits of Skipping Rope

Can’t go to the gym due reducing the chances of fatigue.

9:Glowsyourskin to COVID 19 lockdown? cancer Skipping rope is a 5:Increases Post workout glow is Well, it might look difficult great calorie burner and bodyflexibility oneofthebestglowonecan tomanageworkoutwithouta improves the cardiovascular Skipping rope makes get. Exercises like skipping gymbutskippingropeisone system. yourbodycalmandflexible. willalwaysgiveyouhealthy, of the super convenient,

1:Improveshearthealth Jumpinggivesgreatstrength blushingandglowingskin. easy and effective home Skipping rope is the best to the muscles and relaxes 10:Improve exercises. Skipping is great cardio exercise as it them That’s why it is pulmonaryfunction cardio, aerobic exercise increasestheheartrate.This included in an athlete’s Skippingropesimproves Skipping rope helps to tone will significantly reduce the workoutregime. blood circulation and your calves, tighten your risk of heart diseases and 6:Boostmentalhealth breathing which ultimately core, build stamina and stroke.

Skipping rope at a enhancesyourlungcapacity improve your lung capacity

2:Increasesconcentration moderate intensity can Benefitsofskipping Skipping rope alone won’t Every cardio exercise reduce anxiety and ropeforweightloss help you to reduce weight will help you to focus on depression Exercise can There are numerous loss skipping rope can be a yourgoalandskippingisone increasebloodcirculationto ways to lose weight, part of a diet and exercise of them. Skipping rope can yourbodyandbrain. skipping rope is one of the routine which boosts your calmyourbodyandincrease 7:Decreasesbellyfat effective methods for it can’tdoitstraightfor30 intensityasyouwant. metabolism yourconcentration.

It is one of the main However, skipping rope minutes,youmayneed The following points

Howmanycalories 3:Improvescoordination obstacles while losing alone is not enough to lose sometimetoincreaseyour should be kept in mind for burninskipping? Skipping consistently weight. But skipping rope weight but also it requires a duration. weightlosswhileskipping Surprisingly, skipping improves your coordination canhelpyouwiththat.High- planned diet, weight loss

Theeffectivenessof · Skipping can reduce ropescanburn10caloriesin andstamina. intensity interval training goals,commitment,andhigh skippinginweightloss yourwholebodyfat. aminuteandalsostrengthen 4:Increasesstamina (HIIT) exercises helps to activity level.You also need

Skipping rope activates ·You can do singles and your legs, butt, shoulders, andgetsridoffatigue reduce belly fat without diet to consider some other allthemusclesofyourbody try in various intensity at belly,andarms.Onaverage, By continuous work you and strengthen your factors like age, previous The more you work out, the whatevertimeyouwant. youcanburn200caloriesin may feel tired or loss of abdominalmuscles. illnesses/ surgeries before more calories you burn · The skipping rope is 10 minutes sessions each stamina. Skipping can help 8:Strengthening starting exercise as it may losing more weight. As a cheap and doesn’t need any day Itismoreeffectivethan you to improve your yourbones affect your rate of weight beginner, you can start with expensiveequipment. briskwalking. stamina. The more you do

Skippingropewillgive loss. low-intensity skipping and Skipping with a Benefitsofskippingrope skipping regularly the more strengthtoyourbonesand Ifyoujumpropefor30 as time passed you will get balanced diet in proper There are multiple your stamina increases A increasebonedensity,thus minutestoonehourdaily control and coordination routine will reduce your benefits of skipping rope consistent skipping range reducesthechancesof youwilllosealmost200then you can enhance your weightloss from losing weight to practice can help get rid of osteoporosis. 300calories.Butbeginners

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE INSTALLING FESTIVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

As the festive familyandhome. us with the feelings of approved for use by any Lay them out and ensure designed for purpose s e a s o n Under its Product excitementandjoythatcome recognised independent bulbs are not loose, or because connecting lighting continues, it is ComplianceDepartment,the with the holiday season testing and certification missing, plug them in sets can cause circuit

customary for Guyana National Bureau of However, there are some body temporarily to see that all overloading. many to purchase and install Standards (GNBS) monitors things that users should When using lighting bulbs are working, and Finally, to practice and their decorative lights once Decorative Lighting consider when buying and outdoors, it is imperative to always remember to unplug promote safety, always turn the house cleaning is a c c o r d i n g t o t h e installing safer lighting, and never use indoor lights lights from the power source lights off when you are completed. As homeowners, requirements of the the GNBS, as a consumer outside because the before swapping out retiring to bed; do not it is important that you be National Standard for protection body, takes this insulation on the wires is damagedbulbs. attempt to alter or make mindfulwheninstallingyour Seasonal and Holiday opportunity to share these unsuitableforwetandwindy Use new bulbs of the modifications to the lights; seasonal indoor and outdoor Products - GYS 232:2017 tipswithyou. weather and may result in same type and wattage to fully unwind any extension lighting. for compliance to labelling Firstly, be on the lookout fires, electric shocks and/or avoid the lights overheating, c o r d s t o p r e v e n t

To ensure everything and quality requirements for for the safety approvalmark. injuries. whichcouldcauseafire. overheating; and test your goes according to plan, as consumersafety Itisillegalinmanycountries Further, always ensure When mounting your safetyswitchesregularly with any electrical outfit, We can all agree that to sell decorative lights you weatherproof your lights, keep them away from There are several mother decorative lights need to be colourful festive lighting without the necessary safety extension leads with paper, cardboard, curtains, things you can do to make properly installed to goesafarwaytoenhanceour approval because they must accessories that cover and metal foils and other your festive lighting better guarantee the safety of your dwelling spaces, providing be tested for safety and protect plugs and use extra flammable items to and the installation and low voltage lights (12V or minimize the risk of mountingprocesseasier The 24V), especially for fences, accidental fires, especially if G N B S e n c o u r a g e s roofs,anddownpipes. you want to leave them homeowners and users to

Ifyouareconsideringre- plugged in overnight. enjoy their seasonal décor, using lights from a previous Always ensure you use safely. occasion, when retrieving plastic clips or hooks to F o r f u r t h e r them from storage, ensure mount decorative lights – information on this they are free of defects such never use metal pins, nails, subject, please contact the as damaged wires, burnt out orstaples. GNBS on Telephone bulbsorlooseconnections. In addition, joining Numbers: 219 0064 66, Meanwhile, for new strings of light is risky Do W h a t s A p p 6 9 2 lights, a few safety actions not connect one set of lights GNBS(4627) or follow us arenecessary to another, unless it is onFacebook#GNBSGY

th

Friday last marked the 44 anniversary of the world's biggest

mass suicide, which occurred at Jonestown in Guyana's North West District. On November 18, 1978, a drug-crazedAmerican evangelist,JimJones,ledhundredsofhisfollowerswhomhehadbrought fromCalifornia,totheirdeaths.

TheincidentgaveGuyanainfamousworldnoticeandtoday,itremains ahottopicwhenevertheanniversarycomesaround.

To mark the occasion Kaieteur News is reprinting photographs publishedbyABCNews.

OnNov 18,1978,oneofthebiggestAmericanmassdeathstookplacein Jonestown, Guyana at the People’s Temple compound. Following the orders of their leader, Rev Jim Jones, over 900 members of the cult, includingchildren,died,mostbyingestingacyanide-laceddrink. Rev. Jim Jones, founder of the People’s Temple cult, is seen in this photo found in an album on the compound after the tragedy, Nov. 18, 1978 in Jonestown, Guyana. (AP, FILE)

PeoplesTemplefollowerLarry Layton,center,standswithpolice followinghisarrestintheshooting oftwopeople,includingCalifornia CongressmanLeoRyan,onaremote Guyanaairstrip,Nov.18,1978.

U.S. military personnel place bodies in coffins at the airport in Georgetown, Guyana, after over 900 members of the People’s Temple died in a mass suicide/murder in Jonestown, Guyana in Nov. 1978.

A parrot looks down at dead bodies on the compound of the People’s Temple cult, Nov. 18, 1978, in Jonestown, Guyana.

(David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

The People’s Temple compound in Jonestown, Guyana, is seen in this aerial image from 1978.

Bottles of poison belonging to members of the People’s Temple cult, who participated in a mass suicide/murder by ingesting a cyanide-laced drink, are seen on a table in Jonestown, Guyana, 1978.

In 1974, Jones leased more than 3,800 acres of isolated jungle from the Guyanese government. He believed that the mostly English-speaking SouthAmerican country could be a sort of utopia for his California-based congregation. (AP, FILE)

Under the orders of Jones, Larry Layton and several armed men shot the congressmanandhispartytoprotectthesectfearingthegovernmentwasgoing totakethemaway ArguingthattheattackontheplaneswouldbringJonestown residents harm, Jones persuaded members to ingest a cyanide-laced drink.

(DavidHumeKennerly/GettyImages)

Public Works Ministry yet to receive $12.4M telephone network system six years after supplier paid in full –AG Report

The Ministry of

Public Works is yet to receive a $12 470M telephone network system that was paid for in full six years ago. The contract for the provision of the telephone system was signed in December 2016 under the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Auditor General (AG) Deodat Sharma in his 2021 Report disclosed that the telephone system is yet to be delivered by the supplier

The sum paid in full covers the supply, delivery and installation of the new telephonenetwork

According to the Report, the supply and installation were required to be completed within 90 days of the signing of the contract. The supplier was required to

receive 50 per cent of the payment within 30 days of the signing of the contract and the balance upon delivery and issuance of the provisional acceptance certificate.

However,itwasrevealed thattheMinistrypaidthefull contact sum to the supplier onDecember31,2016andat the time of reporting the AG said, “more than six years afterthecontractwassigned, thenewtelephonenetworkis yet to be installed at the Ministry.”

The Ministry of Public Works had written the Ministry of Legal Affairs on July 28, 2022 seeking assistanceinthematter

Meanwhile, the AG has recommended that the Head of the Budget Agency follows-up on the matter with a view of brining closure.

ByAlbert F. Blaisdell and Francis K. Ball

All through the first summer and the early part of autumn the Pilgrims were busy and happy They had planted and cared for their first fields of corn. They had found wild strawberries in the meadows, raspberries on the hillsides, and wild grapes in the woods. In the forest just back of the village wild turkeys and deer were easily shot.Intheshallowwatersof the bay there was plenty of fish, clams, and lobsters. The summerhadbeenwarm,with a good deal of rain and much sunshine; and so when the autumncametherewasafine cropofcorn.

of his bravest warriors, all gayly dressed in deerskins, feathers, and foxtails, with their faces smeared with red, white,andyellowpaint.

As a sign of rank, Massasoit wore round his neck a string of bones and a bag of tobacco. In his belt he carried a long knife. His face was painted red, and his hair was so daubed with oil that Governor Bradford said he "lookedgreasily."

broiled fish, roast turkey, and deer meat The young Pilgrim women helped serve the food to the hungry redskins.

f

"Letusgatherthefruitsof our first labours and rejoice together," said Governor Bradford.

"Yes, " said Elder Brewster, "let us take a day upon which we may thank Godforallourblessings,and invite to it our Indian friends whohavebeensokindtous."

The Pilgrims said that one day was not enough; so they planned to have a celebrationforawholeweek. Thistookplacemostlikelyin October

The great Indian chief, Massasoit, came with ninety

Now there were only elevenbuildingsinthewhole of Plymouth village, four log storehouses and seven little log dwelling-houses; so the Indian guests ate and slept out of doors. This was no matter,foritwasoneofthose warmweeksintheseasonwe callIndiansummer

To supply meat for the occasion four men had already been sent out to hunt wild turkeys They killed enough in one day to last the whole company almost a week Massasoit helped the feast along by sending some of his best hunters into the woods. They killed five deer, which they gave to their paleface friends, that all mighthaveenoughtoeat.

Underthetreeswerebuilt long, rude tables on which were piled baked clams,

Let us remember two of the fair girls who waited on the tables One was Mary Chilton,wholeapedfromthe boat at Plymouth Rock; the otherwasMaryAllerton.She lived for seventy-eight years after this first Thanksgiving, and of those who came over in the Mayflower she was the lasttodie.

What a merry time everybody had during that week! It may be they joked Governor Bradford about stepping into a deer trap set by the Indians and being jerkedupbytheleg.

How the women must have laughed as they told about the first Monday morning at Cape Cod, when they all went ashore to wash theirclothes!

It must have been a big washing, for there had been no chance to do it at sea, so stormy had been the long voyage of sixty-three days. They little thought that Monday would afterward be kept as washday Then there wasyoungJohnHowland, (Continued on next Sunday edition)

The dragon's eggs

(Continued from last Sunday edition)

dragonwasinpain.

The boy could not swallow He was trapped in a tunnel of broken stones, and didnotwanttoadvance.

Yet he couldn't leave an animal that was sad like that; heheardeverykindofsorrow in its cry As if to show its piteousness, a blast of hot breath charged into the

tunnel. It was a sick smell. Lucaknewwhathehadtodo.

Heart beating, he slowly crawled closer to the dragon. The dragon made a weeping sound.

Luca peered around the cornerandsawthedragon,fat and furry, sprawled on a pile of stones.It was Buster, the teacher'sdog.

Looking up, Luca saw that it had fallen through a

hole in the ceiling and couldn't move from where it hadfallen.

Buster whimpered as Lucacrawledovertohim.He petted him and smelt, in the passionate hot breaths, in the stinking licks, the dog's relief atbeingfound.

The dog had been much more scared than Luca had ever been.Luca lifted himself from the hole in the ceiling andsurprisedGraca,whowas digging around out the front oftheCastle.

Turkey Marshmallows for Thanksgiving

If you are looking for fun Thanksgiving Treats,trythisfunidea!

Let's make sure you have everything you'll need: Brown melting chocolate 12 oz shouldmakeabout1dozenturkeys square marshmallows sometimes calledcampfiremarshmallows

·whoppercandy

·candyeyes

·orangeM&MorResee'scandy

· 5 Candy Corn per turkey (can use other orangecandies)

·Toothpick

INSTRUCTIONS

· Melt the chocolate according to the packagedirections

·insertlollipopsticksintomarshmallows

· dip the marshmallow into the chocolate –coatingallsides

· set the chocolate covered marshmallow ontowaxpapertodry continue with the rest of your marshmallows

·oncethechocolatehasstartedtocoolbut hasn't completely firmed up place a whopperonthemiddleofthemarshmallow's surface

· add candy corn all around it – fanning out

·usingyourtoothpick,addadotofmelted

chocolatetothebackofthecandyeyes

· hold them onto the whopper candy until theystickwithoutholding

· let the chocolate completely dry and hardenbeforemovingmarshmallowpops

FUNWITHPOETRY

by

There is one thing that I have learnt, As far back as I can remember, And that is to keep myself clean, So as to feel good among others

First of all I should bathe regularly, Brush my teeth and comb my hair, Make sure my clothes are always clean, And most important my underwear

This is one reason people like you, Among those you have to meet, To know you are always clean and fresh, And in every way nice and neat.

They searched out Graca's mother, who came a n d r e s c u e d B u s t e r, Afterwards, they went back and recovered the dragon's eggs, all sixteen of them, and put them in a glorious mountain of treasure inside their new play home. Graca latersuggestedtheysplitone, and they did it with a stone. But inside was nothing but stone, white and seamed with little grey lines, exactly the sameastheoutsidehadbeen.

"Let'snotsplitanymore," said Luca. "I like them better whenwedon'tknow

And the fifteen remaining dragon's eggs stayed in the newly-cleaned corner of the Castle ever afterwards, admired by all, but gleaming still,keepingtheirsecrets.

Uncle Roy

Develop a Sense of Personal Competence to move forward in confidence towards your Life Goals

When you devote all your energy towards achieving the goals which you have set for yourself, then you will find that you will naturally develop that feeling that youcanachieve.

It also involves the effort you maketowardshelpingotherstoachieve theirgoals.

Competence requires both the skills to work at whatever special you need to achieve those goals, and the beliefthatyoucanusethemeffectively As they say, practice makes perfect, and anyone who desires success in what he sets out to do must take the time and trouble to keep improving thoseskills.

It also happens that every little success gives one encouragement to continue and to attempt to do bigger things.

This means that you need to persist at whatever you are doing, take the problems which are bound to come up in your stride, and be assured that successwillcomeeventually

Many ambitious people sometimeslook at thetasks which they need to complete towards something they have to achieve, and are discouraged because they look too largeandformidableforthem.

They feel that they would never be able to surmount the various problems which they imagine will face them as

they go along. What they need to do is to make a small start at whatever little theyaresurethattheycando.

Having completed this small step, they then tackle the next. In this way they will be breaking up the large job

secured some academic qualification, but then you will have to do some furthertrainingintheparticularfieldin whichyouareinterested.

Nothingofvalueiseverachieved easily, and so the effort which you

by Bibi Fazeela Khan

Do your best to pass the test

Life is a test, it's not easy at all, Sometimes we slip, and sometimes we fall; But it is okay, my friend, to err is naturally human, So look to the future, and do the best you can.

Sometimes we see the need to reach out a helping hand, Sometimes we want to, but we just can't; When “Sorry” isn't quite enough to say, Then it's okay to just get on your knees and pray

He knows us by our number and name, He knows we're imperfect, and that's no shame; He judges the sincerity of our prayers, Grants us our needs, and removes our cares

It matters not what THEY say, May times they just want to ruin your day; Gossip and slander is their only way, But what goes around comes around, what may

into manageable ones, until the whole isaccomplished.

Of course, the practical way of achieving this sense of being able to personally accomplish things is to work towards acquiring the skills that would be needed for the type of jobs you would have to do to meet the goals which you have set yourself. You would already have gone part way towards this when you have

would have expended, and the trouble you would have experienced to gain thistypeofcompetence,wouldbewell worthit.

Take the guess-work about your future by preparing for it by gaining what skills you need to achieve your goals, and you would benefit by the confidence in yourself which would resultfromthis.

UNCLEROY Tellitto

Hello,readers, UncleRoyisagainaskingallofyoutotryinsomeway tomakeacontributiontothispage,andthustothewelfareof you and your fellow readers. This contribution can take any formthatyoufeelwouldbevaluable–anaccountofwhatis going on in your community and country, any advice you would like to pass on to your fellow teen readers and, on a broader level, any comment or recommendation you would liketomaketoyourfellowGuyanese.

Please remit same to my email roypaul2002@yahoo com, and be assured that your worthwhile contribution will have a prominent place on our page.

The finished puzzle should be filled with Xs andOs.

Horizontally and vertically, there should never be a continuous run of the same

symbol longer than 2. There are an equal number of Xs and Os in each row and column. All rows are unique. All columns areunique,too.

So, it's okay, my friend, don't be afraid to try, The goals you seek will be attained by and by; The falls you suffer should be taken with a smile, They only make it sweeter as you run the last mile

Solutions to last week’s

Success in one's life is only certain when the work is done towards laying a foundation of the necessary skills and confidence in one's ability.

The Truth About Beauty Sleep

1.FewerWrinkles

Skin makes new collagen when you sleep, which prevents sagging.“That'spartoftherepairprocess,”saysPatriciaWexler, MD,adermatologistinNewYork.Morecollagenmeansskinis plumperandlesslikelytowrinkle.

Only getting 5 hours a night can lead to twice as many fine lines as sleeping 7 would. It also leaves skin drier, which can makelinesmorevisible,Wexlersays.

2.AGlowingComplexion

Your body boosts blood flow to the skin while you snooze, which means you wake to a healthy glow Skimp on sleep and yourcomplexioncanlookdrab,ashen,orlifeless.

“Sleep deprivation causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin surrounding your face,” Breus says. “Skin becomes dull, andyoudon'tgetthoserosycheeksanymore.”

3.Brighter,LessPuffyEyes

Chancesare,you'vehaddarkcirclesorbagsunderyoureyes afteranightoftoofewZzz's.

“Puffy eyes are one of the first things we see when we don't sleep,” says Doris Day, MD, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NewYork University Langone Medical Center Get enough shut-eye and you'll have less puffiness under your eyes

Stay well-hydrated and elevate your head with an extra pillowatnight,too.Thatcanalsohelpreduceswelling.

Plenty of rest can also minimize dark circles. When blood isn't flowing well -- which happens when you're low on sleep -itcancollectundereyesandbecomevisible,sincetheskinthere issothin.

Discoloration under eyes can also be caused by genes, age, and increased melanin (the brown pigment in skin that causes it to tan in the sun). If this is the case, sleep deprivation can make yourunder-eyeissueworse,Breussays.

4.Healthier,FullerHair

Hair loss, breakage, damage, and even growth can all be affectedbylackofsleep,Breussays.

Hair follicles (where hair growth begins) gain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from blood flow Since blood flow decreases when we're short on shut-eye, “hair gets less food, it weakens,andithasdifficultygrowing,”Breussays.

Lack of Zzz's can also lead to more stress, Wexler says. “Stress causes an increase in the hormone cortisol, which can causeyoutolosehair.”

5.Happier,HealthierAppearance

Being short on sleep can cause the corners of your mouth to droop, making you look sadder than you do after a good night's rest.

“Whenyou'retired,yourfacialexpressionschangeinsubtle and consistent ways. We tend to furrow and frown more,” Day says. “When people say, 'You look tired,' it can be because of theseexpressions.”

Red, swollen eyes, dark circles, sagging eyelids, and paler skincanalsosignaltoothersthatyou'reexhausted.

Peoplewhodon'tgetenoughrestarealsoseenaslesshealthy thanwhenthey'rerested.

6.ProductsWorkBetter

Yourskincanfocusonrepairingitselfwhileyousleep,since it isn't defending itself from sun and free radicals (harmful moleculesfromtheenvironment).

Blood flow is also more consistent, and this helps your skin benefit from the flesh-repairing ingredients in your beauty products,Wexlersays.

Skin also loses more water when you sleep than it does duringtheday

Applyacreamiermoisturizerbeforebedanddrinkplentyof water during the day to help your complexion stay hydrated overnight,Daysays.

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/beauty-sleep

ExxonMobil, other investors will not leave if Stabroek Block

PSA is revised – Ramjattan

…calls on Guyanese to be vigilant

ExxonMobil will not leave Guyana’s shores if the GovernmentofGuyanawere to change the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block.This is the view expressed by Leader of the Alliance For C h a n g e , K h e m r a j Ramjattan.

“ExxonMobil will never leave Guyana anymore. You can argue that you need a betterdealandtheywillgive youabetterdeal,”hesaid.

Ramjattan is adamant that“Noinvestorwouldwant to leave Guyana when over 11 billion barrels of oil have been found”. He said that Guyaneseoughtnottoaccept the suggestion by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration that a changetotheStabroekBlock PSA would drive investors away

During the AFC’s press conference on Friday, Ramjattan said Minister of Natural Resources Vickram

AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan

Bharrat “is obviously trying tojustifytheliethattheydid during the campaign period. All of them had indicated that it was a rotten deal we signed on to and that they will renegotiate to get a better deal and now they are talking about sanctity of contractsandallofthat.”

The AFC leader said his partybelievesthatduetothe changedcircumstancesinthe prolific Stabroek Block, which ExxonMobil holds,

there is need for the country to secure better terms. This, he said, will not chase investors.

“America right now is asking because of the surplus.Bidenistryingtoget asmuchmoretaxesandsoon from the oil companies, including Exxon and all those shale companies,” Ramjattansaid.

To this end, Ramjattan saidothergovernmentscan Continuedonpage72

Where all the magic begins, her paint workstation with a display of her acrylic paint and finished products on display

Prolific Berbice artist and farmer lives through her CANVASED ART

ByMalisaPlayterHarry

One of her pieces on a waterfront

When we look at a painting depicted inbrilliantcolours with the stroke of every brush, pencil,orcrayon,whetheritison a piece of paper or a canvas, whetheritisofabuildingorjust breathtaking scenery, a whirlwind of emotions a n d

Waterfalls was given the opportunity to speak with the young artist and it’s simply impossible not to enjoy her company and conversations, her personality is bursting with sunshine and her passion for painting was even more astounding Azeena considers herself an introvert and gets anxiouseasilyandnervouswhen shegetsalotofattention,butthe momentshebeginstalkingabout her passion for painting, you are suretofindawholenewperson.

Azeenapaintsasahobbyand hasnowchosentoalsomakeita business, and her story is quite aninterestingone.Itallstarted with henna dye, that’s right, henna dye. The Berbician explained that one day someonesheknewverywell boughtsomehennadye,but later decided that they no longerwantedit,theywere about to throw it out when sheaskedforitinstead.

believe that I could draw and paint like this, ” she said gleefully Dabbling in paint a few times turned into a hobby, and to further develop her skills, Azeena watched tons of YouTube videos. Hurdles were sure to fall in her path, but it did notstopher

“Ididnothavetheinternetat thetimesoifIgosomewhereand there is the internet, I would watch videos and go back home and start drawing. Everything I learnt is from YouTube.” The talentedwomansaid.

those snapshots as her guide to painting the longest single drop waterfallintheworld

“Guyana is my inspiration and ever since I visited the Kaieteur Falls, like I couldn’t believe it was Guyana and I really wanted to paint Guyana, I loveGuyana.”

triggered, particularly if that piecespeakstoyou.

For AzeenaTahsir, a young painter of Lot 101 John’s Settlement, Port Mourant, Corentyne,Berbice,thetimeshe spends painting dozens of paintings, is the quintessential moment of her life. Just as a paintingwouldinspiresomeone, Azeena always finds inspiration topaint.

“I took it and started to draw on my hand and I thought it looked really nice but when the henna was done, I searched all overtobuy”. Sheaddedthatshe bought some more in Rose Hall Town at a shop and she began drawing again It sparked somethingcreativeinherandshe decided to use coloured pencils anddrewalotofthingsonpaper, Azeenamovedontocrayonand, eventually, her sister-in-law saw how gifted she was and told her that paint is sold in New Amsterdam.

Withnobackgroundintheart field, Azeena nurtured her newfound passion and even surprisedherself!

“Iwasactuallysurprisedthat I could do t

When she started on paper, she would take pictures of her finishedpieceandpostitonher socialmediaplatform,whereit garnered attraction from one by the name of Mark Reddi, who complimented her work and encouraged her to try paintingoncanvas. Thiswas something new for Azeena, as she knew nothing about paintingoncanvas.

“I asked him what canvaswasbecauseIdidn’t know Heexplainedwhatit was,sowhenIwentbackto New Amsterdam, I saw this thing marked ‘artist canvas’andIboughtone.” But Azeena said she did not paint on it until after a few months because she was extremelyanxious.Accordingto her, she was worried she would make a mess of it. However, when that day came, it was no turning back, she has been paintingsince2018andsaysshe hasnoplanstostop.

ThegiftedBerbiciansaysshe draws inspiration from the surroundings, but her favourite piecetodateisthatoftheKaieteur Falls.Shevisitedthemagnificent wonder of the world in 2021 and tookseveralpictures,usingoneof

It’s usually a process that takes several days to complete, the shortest time took her to finish a painting was four hours, without any disruptions. But because she also helps out her mom with the shop they have, s h e

p aints a little, tends to customers at the shop, then returns to painting. Now she choosestodoalotofherworkin the evening when there are no distractions.

WhileAzeenawouldlovefor her work to be exposed, she is also consumed with anxiety when she thinks about all the attention,shecangetfromit.Her biggest worry is being criticized orhavingherworkcriticized.

“I am an introverted person. Ifsomeoneasksmetopaint

Azeena’s favourite painting, the Kaieteur Falls

Some of her smaller pieces

An old-fashioned house in Berbice

Handmade Jewellery

ByAllyiahAllicock

Foraslongasshe can remember, M i l i k a Stephens was always interestedincreatingnew things, always eager to develop her creative skills. At one point in her life, she used to make resin earrings, and then later started to make stuffed animals through a business called CuddlesomeGywhichhasbeen closed.

ByAllyiahAllicock

==Young Entrepreneur On The Move== ‘Mili Makes’

family and friends who help promote her work. “I keep seeing an increase in sales and activity on my socialmediaplatforms,and I’m so grateful for it,” she added.

rting budget, I wasn’t able to stock up on supplies in bulk. I buy as I earn and sometimes waiting for items to get here can beapain,”sheexplained.

But in February this year, the young woman started a new venture, where she decided to open up her own handmade Polymer Clay Jewellery and accessories business called‘MiliMakes’.

In a recent interview with this magazine, Stephens said that the inspirationtostartthisnew venture“camefrommyown love for creating and also hundreds of Instagram and Pinterest posts that just sucked me incompletely.”

Soonaftergettingfamiliarwithpolymer clay and how to go about making the jewellery and accessories then is when she decidedtoopenthebusinesstoshowcaseand sellherwork.

The business, she mentioned has been receivingtremendoussupportfromthesince beginning and this she said is credit to her

AccordingtoStephens, since her launched, one of the major challenge she facedwasgettingmaterials in a timely manner “Almost everything has to be imported, and because I d i d n ’ t have a big s t a

As it relates to the pandemic, ‘Mili Makes’wasnotatallaffectedsinceitisasa resultofthepandemicthatthebusinesscame about,Stephensrelated.

When asked what the long-term goal for the business is, our featured entrepreneur said, “Would be to find my own unique creativestyleandworkonperfectingit.Right now, I’m testing the waters, trying a bit of everythingtoseewhatI’mgoodatandwhatI lovemost.Findingmyuniquestylewouldbe adream.”

Another goal she stated is to expand her business to the point where she can offer internationalshipping.

Stephens is of the belief t h a t y o u n g entrepreneurs i n o u r society toda y

o p e n d o ors for e c onomic gro w t h b y providi ng jobs and innovation.

“Young entrepreneurs are great role modelstotheirpeers.Bydoingwhatwedo, we encourage each other to be more and striveformore,”shesaid.

According to her with the numerous options to boost small businesses such as start-upcashgrantsorloans,andfreeaccess to training sessions now available, she calls for small business owners to take up the opportunity and utilize the resources being provided.

“Small businesses are also given more opportunities now to display and sell at various local expos and markets. These are all things that help our businesses to grow,” Stephenshighlighted.

Anyone interested in purchasing from Stephens’business can check her out at the Collage located at 50 Sheriff St. Campbellville and at DatYogaShop located at Lot 39 Anira Street, Queenstown or reach out to her on Instagram @ mili makes or via telephone/ WhatsAppon(+592)650-5732.

Note: Stephens will be at UpmarketonNovember20whereshe isscheduledtolaunchthefirstpartof herholidaycollection.Theeventwill be at Black Magenta at the Georgetown Club from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs.

“Young entrepreneurs are great role models to their peers. By doing what we do, we encourage each other to be more and strive for more.”

Young

Entrepreneur, Milika Stephens

Some

of the unique pieces made by Milika Stephens.

M

ByRenaySambach

fter much encouragement and great reviews from first her family members, and then coworkers, 31-year-old Jilesa Lewis was able to launch her business “Moffetts Sweet Treats”backinAprilof2018.

MoffettsSweetTreatsistheidealplaceto satisfy your fondness for sweet food. Try any of their scrumptious cheesecakes, cookies or cupcakes.Fromstartingoff with just baking cakes and cupcakes, Lewis now has over 20 sugary-treats and pastry on her menu. There are such delights as cheesecake, brownies, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries,andeclairs,justto nameafew.

The business is located in Nismes, on the West Bank Demerara,whichisabouta5-10minute drive from the Demerara Harbour Bridge. They also offer free delivery to customers in CentralGeorgetownonweekdays.

When asked what her best-sellers are, Jilesa shared, “Cakes and cupcakes mainly forbirthdaycelebrations.Thekidscharacter themed cakes dominate There is also cheesecake, which is now becoming a populartreattomycustomers.Iusuallyhave Cheesecake Fridays, which is every Friday lately I have been told many times, Its the bestI’veeverhad.”

Compliments of Lewis, I was able to indulge in her cheesecake, cupcakeand brownie

The

Cuisine Culture

Sweet Treats

Back in June, the business catered for the “

Blankets and

Baskets” event. They have also catered for Kids Jamboree, which was in August last, and even cater for CorporateBusinesses,liketheGuyana OilCompany(GUYOIL).

Lewis stated that her long-term goal with her business is to make MoffettsSweetTreatsthedesserthub of the town. Her inspiration for her businesscameaftershebakedacake for her fathers birthday, and then anotherforhersonsbirthday

“In January of 2018, I tried a thing for my dads birthday celebration, after watching tons of YouTube videos.

Then again for my son’s birthdayafewdaysafter,”Lewis added “I fell in love with creating the design and seeing the smile on my sons face sealedthefate,”shesaid.

Lewis added, “It’s the smiles and great reviews that keep me going each time. My favourite of all is creating cakes and treats for kids, they are honest and blunt, and inspire me to keep pushing ahead.”

After completing secondaryschoolbackin2008

a s valedictoria n,Lewishad hopes of following a career in accounting b y furthering her studies, but growing up with a large family, financewasanissue. “

techniques and so many d i ff e r e n t cakes…from all over the world,” the business owner added.

Lewis went on to share that while finding her way, she juggled being a pregnant mother with twokidsatthattime,and a full-time job with her bus inessontheside.Whileitwas not easy, Lewis noted, she made it happen.

“I then resigned from my full-time jobjustoverayeartofocusmoreonmy businessandmyfamilyafterCOVIDdid not seem to be going anywhere. Fast forward to today, I’m one of the top designers in my field with my company growing, and next year will make five yearsinthebusiness,nowamomofthree beautiful kids and a loving supportive partnerasmybetterhalf,”Lewisadded.

(To contact Jelisa, you can visit the Moffett’s Sweet Treats page on Facebook

AM

w orked as an Account Clerk at a few organizations, did teaching and a little graphic designing beforethat,lovedeverythingabout it until I tried my hands at cake designing. I started off with basic YouTube teaching and was going great. I then told myself I should get a certificate, so went on to Carnegie, did (an) elementary course there, then went on to advancelevelbutthatwasn’titfor me...mymainteacherwasandstill is my online source. I learnt fondant designs, butter cream

thick, creamy filling of the cheese topped with passion fruit, raspberry and purpleberrysyrupwithcrustatthebottom left me craving more. The cupcake was moistandflavourful,andthebrowniewas oneofthebestIhaveevertried.

From page 16

environmental and human impacts of oil and gas on the country, engage in authentic multi-stakeholder process of public participation and national conversations that are not exclusively controlled by government, and take all necessary corrective measures for sustainabledevelopment.

They have also asked PresidentAlitocommission, in collaboration with independent civil society, a high level independent, scientific investigation to assess all associated risks and threats emanating from oil and gas production in Guyana They said this independent investigation andassessmentshouldbeled by independent civil society and other regional and international experts and include a process of consultative sessions at grassroots, community based organisations, local communitiesandindigenous peoples.

They have also asked for a marine protected area over Guyana’s exclusive economic zone to maintain and sustain the marine ecosystems – with fishing limited to Guyana’s t r a d i t i o n a l f i s h i n g communities as well as an immediate transition to 100 percent renewable energy system with net zero emissions.

Thenamesofthecitizens and organizations that signed the letter to the Presidentarelistedbelow

VandaRadzik

AlissaTrotz

VidyarathaKissoon

KarendeSouza

PaulineMelville

ChristineSamwaroo

DanutaRadzik

MayaTrotz

SusanCollymore

JoyMarcus

HalimaKhan

VanessaRoss

WintressWhite

GaryGirdhari

NicoleCole

AbbyssinianCarto

NigelWestmaas

JoanMcDonald

DuanedeFreitas

AkolaThompson

JoanCambridge

ImmaculataCasimero

AlmaO’Connell

TerryRoopnaraine

ColinKlautky

EarlJohn

JanetteBulkan

SandydeFreitas

SherlinaNageer

JocelynDow

ElizabethDeane-Hughes

Suraiya

LeilaJagdeo

GeraldPerreira

RomarioHastings

PauletteAllicock

DanielAllicock

IsabelledeCaires

LukeDaniels

RedThread

Amerindian Peoples Association South Rupununi District Council

T h e B r e a d f r u i t Collective MakushiResearchUnit

themselves, which is natural in these circumstances so beforetheendoftheyearwe expectthefirstreport.”

prospective foreign investors on what to expect, said Lowe. “The idea of not immediately alerting the nation when the deadline for an audit to be released or the expected time for it to be completed, is very suspicious.”

– NOV. 16, 2022

Coalition Govt. did no assessment of oil spill risk before preparing national oil spill plan

inkeepingwithinternational guidelines and best practices were addressed in Guyana’s document.

– Document not in keeping with int’l guidelines or best practices –AG Report

Guyana’s National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, which was crafted under the former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) Coalition Government, was foundtobeweak,hallowand not in keeping with many international guidelines or bestpractices.

One of the key elements Guyana’s plan makes no mention of pertains to a comprehensive risk assessment to inform contingencyplanning.

Laws should be in place to penalise Officials for not conducting oil audits

– Economist

As the nation awaits the completionofaUS$9billion review of the expenses handed to the country by oil giant ExxonMobil, between the years 2018 and 2020, Economist Elson Low has said that amendments to the Petroleum Act are needed to institute strict penalties on Officials for failure to conduct such audits and attempting to conceal the findingsofsame.

Low in an exclusive interview with this newspaper yesterday said he finds it troubling that President Irfaan Ali only recently came out to announce the delayed time fortheExxonaudit.Itwasin May of this year that the contract was signed for a four-month review of the oil company’s expenses for the offshore activities The process was expected to be completed in September, however the team now need an additional three months, President Irfaan Ali said last Friday

The Head of State explained that, “They expect thefirstreportbeforetheend of December and the delay was because of coordination issues with the auditors

To this end Low said, “That delay is troubling, because there was silence at the time when the audit was originally supposed to come out. We should have heard this explanation then, not now.” Low reasoned that he formally made his position clear that failing to audit Exxon should be a crime, however he went further during yesterday’s interview to note that, “concealing the results of an audit of any expensesofanyoilcompany should also be a crime and the Government should also have a fixed time period within which, it must release theresultsofanyaudit.”

He believes that Government should be mandatedtosubmittheaudit reports to a Sub-Committee of Parliament such as the Public Accounts Committee or one of the Special Committees under the House The Economist pointed out, “given that I have said that not auditing Exxonshouldbeacrime,my perspective is that we should really amend the laws, whether it be the Petroleum Actoreventhecriminalcode to ensure it is clear that it should be against the law for youtonotauditExxonorany other oil company and for concealing the audit reports.”

He was keen to note that penaltiesshouldbeinstituted for failing to audit such massive bills and hiding the findings from the country Low believes that the Government has done a poor job so far in transparently managing the oil and gas sectorwhichhasresultedina loss of confidence by stakeholders.

Not only that but he believes this trait paints an ugly impression for

On May 24 last, Government inked an agreement for a four month review of the bills handed to it by the oil company The consultancy was awarded to VHE Consulting which is a registered partnership between Ramdihal & Haynes Inc, Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc.TheLocalConsortiumis supported by International firms- SGS and Martindale Consultants for the ‘Cost Recovery Audit and Va l i d a t i o n o f t h e Government of Guyana’s ProfitOilShare’.

The audit will cost G u y a n e s e s o m e US$751,000. Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat had assured that the findings of the audit would be made public. This is particularly important as the public is unaware of the outcome of the audit of the US$460millionpre-contract costs, which was done by IHS Markit. The contract to the UK firm had cost US$300,000.

In January of this year, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat told the National Assembly that the audit was still ongoing. He said, “The Government of Guyana, when we took office was alarmed at the limited work done in this regard by the previous a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a n d immediately commenced w i t h i n t e r n a t i o n a l consultants and local agenciestohaveanumberof shortcomingsaddressed.”

Minister Bharrat added, “Currently, the Government is working to answer every questionable detail with the operator and the auditor to ensure that all expenditures are justifiable and accounted for as per the terms of the agreement.” In light of the fact that the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) only allows the State a two-year timeline to conduct such audits, Patterson asked the M i n i s t e r t o s a y i f E x x o n M o b i l w a s approachedforanextension. Minister Bharrat did not state if ExxonMobil was contactedonthatissue.

This was revealed by Auditor General, Deodat S h a r m a d u r i n g a performance audit of the Plan.

In fact, Sharma said the authors of the document failed to evaluate even the slightest risk offshore for an oil spill. This fundamental step being skipped has left Sharma wondering just how

Sharma said he was surprised to learn this was not done as it is a fundamental step for completing the plan Expounding on the importance of this stage, Sharma said conducting a comprehensive risk assessment of the risk of oil spills is the “first step” in the development of a National Contingency Plan to ensure plans are developed in the context of the risks they are intendedtoaddress.

The Auditor General further noted that the aim of such a step is to identify measures to reduce and manage the risks of spills, and the impacts should a spilloccur Hesaidresultsof the risk assessment should be used to inform the

effective the plan would be when it is not informed by the best or worst case scenario.

Inhisreport,Sharmasaid t h e C i v i l D e f e n c e Commission (CDC) is designated in the national plan as the Competent National Authority (CAN). As the CNA, it has overall responsibilityforresponding tooilspills,andtheauthority to make and implement decisions to mitigate the impacts of oil spills. The roles and responsibilities of the other government agencies that will provide support to the Commission are also identified and defined.

Of significance Sharma said, is the fact that not all of the essential components of a national contingency plan

development of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan andresponsepolicies.

He categorically stated that, “a comprehensive risk assessment was not conducted by the Civil Defence Commission to inform the development of G u y a n a ’s N a t i o n a l ContingencyPlan.”

In the absence of this assessment, Sharma said the following could not be determined: on what basis the National Plan was developed e.g. how hazards associated with offshore facilities and operations were identified; the related threats, the circumstances which may trigger such events, and the potential characteristics of such events; howpossibleoil

MosaTelford

Ismail

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

From page 65

spill incidents were chosen for response planning; how response strategies were formulated; and how response tactics and requirementsweredetermined.

In response, the CDC said the plan “was indeed developed in the absence of a comprehensive risk assessment.” The CDC said it did indicate in “many instances” that there is a need to conduct these assessments following the developmentoftheplan.

The Commission said, “To do so requires an independent consultant who is versed and has specialist skills in risk assessments related to oil spill response and marine and environmental pollution.”

In the absence of such assessment, the CDC said it was still important for a plan to be developed nonetheless with the understanding that it will be constantly updated to reflect the changes based on new information andGuidance.

The CDC said the plan proceeded with the advice and guidance of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Centre Caribe (RAC-REMPEITC)andwithsome technical support from the Association of Oil, Gas and Renewable Energy Companies of Latin America and the Caribbean (ARPEL).

In the absence of a risk assessment, the Commission said the country took the advice to proceed with the plan and in the event it was confronted by any spill, it could at minimum respond and manage in a coordinated manner Thisyear,theCDCsaidan assessment of scenarios was conducted and the matrix was developed to guide planning and response It said this will be includedinsubsequentrevisionsof theNationalOilSpillPlan.

Norton prepared to up royalty rates and tax ExxonMobil

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on Tuesday announced his readiness to ensure that Guyanese benefit more from the Stabroek Block, operated by ExxonMobil and its partners by subjecting all future projects within the Block to newterms.

Norton was at the time responding to a question posed by Kaieteur News at his weekly press conference Recently, the OppositionLeaderhadsaidthatthe new fiscal terms announced by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for the oil Blocks to be auctioned should also be extended to future projectsintheStabroekBlock.

”We have not seen all that they have put out, [it is] mainly introductory We want to see the entire agreement and then we will be in a better position to comment

but for now, we believe that the resources from oil must benefit our people and as a government in waiting, we are committed to ensuringwegetasmuchaspossible out of the agreement while at the same time ensuring that the investorsgetareasonablereturnon theirinvestment,”hesaid.

President Irfaan Ali had told reporters on Friday that the Opposition is taking an opportunistic position while blaming the former Coalition Government for the “lopsided deal”.

Norton in response said, “I don’t know that there is anything opportunistic about our approach. First, we said when the first agreement was done the environment was a totally different environment, now we know we

theVicePresident.

Stakeholders have been calling on the Administration to renegotiate its contract with ExxonMobil since the Stabroek Block’s PSA was signed at a time when only 1.1 billion barrels of oil was discovered. Six years later, over 10 billion more barrels have been discovered in the country’s ExclusiveEconomicZone(EEZ).

Further, the oil company has beenmakingmassiveprofitsoffthe country’s wealth, while Guyana, forexamplerefusestoimposetaxes and hike the royalty rates from two percent.

Both the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have said that the terms of the new PSA announced by Vice President BharratJagdeoforthe14oilblocks

absenceofring-fencingprovisions.

Further, Exxon is allowed to deduct 75 percent of costs from Guyana’s earningsupfront to cover its expenses while the new PSA would cap cost recovery at 65 percentofearningsannually.

While Government maintains that the ‘sanctity of contract’is the reason for not renegotiating the agreement,itmustbenotedthatthe deal was modified in the past to make it pellucid that royalty would notberecoveredbytheoperator

THURSDAY – NOV. 17, 2022

contracts (PSCs). Smith wrote that the 30-year PSCs, which are up to 10 years longer than equivalent contracts offered by other Latin American countries, provide oil companies with considerable time to successfully develop and exploit anyhydrocarbondiscoveriesmade. He said too that Paramaribo has also established “a low royalty rate of6.25%inordertoattracturgently n e e d e d f o r e i g n e n e r g y investment.”

Importantly, Smith wrote that whilethatrateishigherthanthe2% put in place by Guyana’s Government for the Exxon-led consortiumexploitingtheStabroek Block, Guyana’s 2% is among the lowestinLatinAmerica.

Since the first commercial oil

He noted that oil royalties in Argentina amount to 12% of wellhead production In Brazil, a

have more barrels of oil. Now we know a number of things that we didn’t know then and therefore goingforward,wearecommittedto ensuring that the people of Guyana benefit.” Norton assured that there will be scrutiny of the existing contract. “All I am saying, we will look at that contract and once we are satisfied that those are the conditions that are there, we are prepared to do it but we are not going to commit until we see the entire contract, know where the weaknesses lie, know where the strengthsaresowecancommenton them and then make a firm commitment on what we do in government.”

Nortonsaiditwascriticaltosee the new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) because the terms in the document could be different from that announced by

thataretobeauctioned,mustapply to the Stabroek Block to level the playingfield.

Jagdeosaidthenewfiscalterms willincludea10percentroyalty,10 percent corporation tax and a ringfencing provision. He explained that the 14 oil blocks vary in size butrangefromapproximately1000 square kilometres to 3000 square kilometres, with the majority of them being close to 2000 square kilometres.

Meanwhile,theStabroekBlock which covers approximately 26,800 square kilometres and is operated by ExxonMobil and its partners – Hess and CNOOC –remains bound to a separate arrangement in which it only pays two percent royalty, no taxes and also recovers expenses from multiple projects from the revenue earned by development, in the

discovery in Guyana’s Stabroek Block back in 2015, there have beenmorethan30othersignificant finds in that concession The successratehasnodoubtmotivated the country’s Dutch speaking neighbour and CARICOM sister, Suriname, to aggressively advance efforts to replicate a similar fate in itsownwaters.

In fact, the National Government in Paramaribo is so eager to record comparable offshore achievements that it is using several incentives to attract deep pocket investments from globalenergycompanies.

In his most recent analysis, Matthew Smith, a Latin-America Correspondent and Veteran Investor for Oilprice com said Suriname is establishing some of the energy industry’s most generous production sharing

15% royalty is levied on the value of the oil produced, while they range from 8% to 25% in Colombia and 12 5% to 18 5% in Ecuador

The President Irfaan Ali led Administration has remained adamant that it will not be making any changes to the low royalty in ExxonMobil’s contract even thoughithassethighertermsfor14 smaller blocks that will be up for grabs in Guyana’s maiden auction nextyear

For those blocks, companies will have to pay a 10 percent royalty

Earlier this month, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had also saidthatthenewfiscaltermswhich will not be applied to Exxon’s Stabroek Block but to new players, alsoincludea50/50sharingof

Guyana’s 2% royalty flagged by Int’l energy site as being lowest in LatinAmerican

Map showing the blocks located in the Guyana-Suriname basin

From page 66

profitoilandapaymentof10 percent Corporation Tax Jagdeo said Government also agreed for there to be a 65 percent cost recovery ceiling in a given year He said these terms, among others, had following work that was undertaken with several consultants. Jagdeo said IHS Markit, a leading information services provider headquartered in the UK is taking lead on guiding The Guyana Governmentontheauction.

The Vice President had saidthatthe14blockswould range from about 1000 square kilometres to 3000 square kilometers with the majority of them being close to 2000 square kilometers. Eleven of these will be in the shallow area and three in the deepAreaC.

Employees of Guyana’s fifth oil ship builder charged with bribery and corruption

Employees attached to Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Company (MODEC)— the Japanese company building Guyana’s fifth oil ship—have been charged in a Singapore court for offenses related to bribery and corruption, i n v o l v i n g a r o u n d US$942,000.

K a i e t e u r N e w s u n d e r s t a n d s f r o m international media publications that a 59-year old construction manager of

Indian origin, along with otheremployeesofMODEC was charged on Friday last forthesaidoffenses.

Specifically, Harish Singhal, an employee of M O D E C O f f s h o r e Production Systems, a General Contractor specialising in EPC and installation of floating production systems, is accused of accepting bribes, c o m m i t t i n g m o n e y laundering, and deceiving his employer into paying to another company. The offense can lead to hefty fines and imprisonment for upto10years.

Court documents also state that between 2011 and 2016, Singhal allegedly conspired with four others to accept bribes for advancing the business interests of a shipping company with M o d e c , t o t a l l i n g US$942,000.

He also allegedly conspired with others to d i s g u i s e a r o u n d US$313,000 of benefits fromcriminalconduct,inthe form of fictitious invoices, for payments between the twocompanies.

In response to the news, MODEC issued a statement, saying that it was notified that certain employees of its subsidiary, MODEC Offshore Production Systems (Singapore) Pte Ltd., have been charged in the Singapore courts for offences relating to bribery andcorruption.

As the matter is before

the Singapore courts, MODEC said it is not in a position to make any further commentsonthemattersoas to avoid interfering with the judicial process. “We will continue to actively cooperate with the Singapore authorities. We w i l l m a k e f u r t h e r announcements promptly if and when we are aware of any material developments and are permitted to make such announcements,” the Japanesecompanystated.

MODEC was also keen to note that it takes a zerotolerance approach towards bribery and corruption. It said, “The allegations were made in a whistleblower’s report submitted via our internal reporting system and were internally investigated by us with the assistance of external counsel.”

M O D E C a d d e d , “Following our internal investigations, a report was made to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (“CPIB”) of Singapore. We have been fully cooperating with the investigations, have followed the progress of the matter, and have made preparations to manage the outcomeandimplications.”

Earlier this month, this newspaper had reported that MODEC had signed a contract to perform Front EndEngineeringandDesign (FEED) for a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO)

f o r E x x o n M o b i l Corporation’s “Uaru” development project in the StabroekBlock.

It should be noted however that this contract signing was done in the absence of Government’s approval for Exxon’s Field Development Plan for Uaru. Even the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project has not been made public as is customary to allow for nationwide consultations These engagements are usually m a d e p r i o r t o t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issuing an E n v i r o n m e n t a l Authorization for the project.

Be that as it may, ExxonMobil has awarded the contract for construction works to begin on the ship. MODEC noted that the FEEDcontractawardrelates to the initial funding by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), to begin FEED activitiesrelatedtotheFPSO design and to secure the second M350TM hull for FPSOservice.

Following FEED and subject to Government approvals in Guyana of the development plan, project sanction including final investment decision by ExxonMobil, and EEPGL’s release of the second phase (EPCI) of work, MODEC said it is expected to construct the FPSO and install in Guyana. MODEC is also anticipated to operate the FPSO for an initial duration of 10 years, with potential options for continuation.

Additionally, MODEC said it will design and construct the FPSO based on

its M350 new-build design. The FPSO will be designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day; will have associated gas treatment capacityof540millioncubic feet per day; and water injectioncapacityof350,000 barrelsperday

FRIDAY – NOV. 18, 2022

England in 6 months raises windfall tax on oil companies from 25% to 35% – in Guyana oil companies are allowed to walk away tax-free

British Finance Minister, Jeremy Hunt on Thursday announced that the governmentisincreasingthe windfall tax on oil and gas operatorsfromthecurrent25 p e r c e n t w h i c h w a s announcedinMayof2022to 35percent.

A windfall tax is a oneoff tax imposed by a government on a company, specifically targeting those that benefit from something they were not responsible for In this instance, the ongoingRussia-Ukrainewar have sent oil prices soaring andtriggeringacostofliving crisis in many countries, including Britain. Amid the war, oil and gas companies have been seeing recordshattering profits and as such, many governments have introduced a windfall tax on the big profits to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis and balance their economy

The British government move to further tax oil operators’ big profits comes at a time when American oil g i a n t , E x x o n M o b i l subsidiary and its associates are enjoying tax-free profits inGuyana.

On Thursday, the British Finance Minister said, “I havenoobjectiontowindfall taxes if they are genuinely aboutwindfallprofitscaused by unexpected increases in energy crisis.” Hunt then disclosed that the energy profits levy will increase from 25 percent to 35 percent. He added that the increasewilltakeeffectfrom January1,2023andlastuntil March2028.

The British Government move for increase windfall tax comes as British oil and gas giants, like Shell and BP, continue to book record profits this year For the third-quarter of 2022, BP recorded US$8.2 billion for the three months through to the end of September whereas Shell recorded US$9.45billionforthesame period. Earlier this month, President of the United StatesofAmerica,JoeBiden threatenedtoincreasethetax o n t h e o i l m a j o r s ‘outrageous’ profits. Biden had said, “Give me a break, enoughisenough,lookI’ma CapitalistandIhavesaidthis before, I have no problem with corporations turning a fair profit and getting a return on their investment and innovation, but this is not remotely what’s happening. Oil companies’ recording profits today are not because they are doing s o m e t h i n g n e w o r innovative,theirprofitsarea windfallofwar.”

Countries like Norway and Czech Republic are also clamping down on the energy giants and have signaled their intentions to raise US-billions through a windfall tax on oil and gas companies. On the local front, Guyana has found itself in a conundrum where it is foregoing more than it earns. Exxon’s affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), is the operator of the country’s richest oil block (Stabroek Block) and continues to enjoy tax free earnings owing to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed onto with the oilmajor

According to the 2016 PSA, Guyana has agreed to, u n d e r t h e t a x a t i o n p r o v i s i o n s , t o p a y ExxonMobil’s share of Corporation and Income Tax.As such it would mean, that Guyana foregoes each year, billions of US dollars. O n t o p o f t h i s , documentationtothiseffect

British Finance Minister, Jeremy Hunt

Man formerly accused of teacher's murder petitions police to re-open case

ByShervinBelgrave

Matthew

Monroe,

a taxi driver formerly accused of murdering a secondary school teacher in 2017 is petitioning the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to reopen the investigation into herkilling.

The secondary school teacher, Kescia Branche was only 22-years-old when she was found unconscious a l o n g L o u i s a R o w, GeorgetownonNovember5, 2017.

Branche died two days laterfrombrainhaemorrhage

and an autopsy conducted on her remains revealed that she had been struck to the head withaheavyobject.

Georgetown detectives h a d l a u n c h e d a n investigation to track down her killer and named Monroe astheirsuspect.

Monroe was charged and remanded to prison on December 6, 2017 and remained there until he was triedin2022.Hewasfreedin May last after the police prosecution team failed to present a proper case against him. According to reports,

the State's prosecutors could notfindtheirstarwitness.

The taxi driver has since filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit against the State for taking too long to try him for the offence and for his wrongfuldetention.

In a recent conversation with Kaieteur News, Monroe said that he was an innocent man and has since written a letter petitioning GPF to reopen Branche's murder case tofindtherightkiller

“IamcallingontheForce to re-open the case just like her relatives are asking, I

want them to reopen the investigation”,Monroesaid.

Based on the previous investigation conducted by police, Branche on the night of November 4, 2017 was seenleavingtheBlueMartini Night Club in company of two police constables. The lawmen were interviewed and reportedly told the detectives that they went to a barbeque spot on Mandela Avenue with Branche However, they said she left the location by herself in a taxitogohome.

Branche never made it to

her destination and police claimed that they were able to identify Monroe's car as t h e t a x i s h e u s e d Investigators were in search of Monroe but he was out of the country and they concluded that he fled the country Upon his return, he wasarrested.

During the trial, Monroe's lawyers argued that during the time Branche wasfoundunconscious,their client was already out of the country Monroesaidhehad traveled to celebrate his daughter'sbirthday

Freed murder accused: Matthew Monroe

African private sector group expresses interest in Guyana’s oil and gas

...to form joint ventures with local companies

The Georgetown Guyana. C h a m b e r o f Rene Awambeng, Commerce and Director and Global Head of

Industry (GCCI) Client Relations, at onFridaymetwithdelegates Afreximbank, introduced from the Africa Caribbean the bank as a multilateral Business Council Private government financial Sector, comprised of institution, established by a representatives from the treaty, providing trade African Export Import enablinginfrastructure. Bank (Afeximbank) and The bank performs a full other African Private Sector range of duties including investors interested in bank advisory, strategy and Africa interested in the partnering with locals on oil international cooperation, mining, oil and gas, and and gas, mining and the finance, credit services and construction sectors and the constructionsector tradefinancing. need for the Chamber’s help President of the During interactions i n i d e n t i f y i n g k e y Chamber, Timothy Tucker with the GCCI, he shared institutions for joint welcomed the delegation that the bank’s interest is ventures,” the GCCI said in and highlighted the body’s not to compete with local astatement. role in taking Guyana’s banks but to simply Further, Awambeng products cross country, facilitate industrialization expressed interest in receiving/welcoming and export development in understanding the Chamber incoming delegations and Guyana and how foreign investors supporting them in terms of “He mentioned the can collaborate with its 700 partnerships and navigating existence of investors in membercompanies.

From

‘Gold Teeth’ charged, remanded for killing man over ‘bush weed’

Twenty nine year old murder

anargumentoccurred. Jamal Adams called ‘Gold According to reports, According to the police Teeth’ was on Friday ‘Gold Teeth’ admitted that r e p o r t , U n d e r w o o d charged and remanded to he stabbed Underwood reportedly punched the prison for allegedly killing whom he was imbibing with suspect and a fight ensued. Sherwayne Underwood on Tuesday last at Police During the fight, ‘Gold during an argument over Corner, WBD, during an Teeth’ allegedly whipped ‘bushweed’-acheaptypeof argument over ‘bush weed’. out a knife from his pants marijuana He was The stabbing incident w a i s t a n d s t a b b e d remanded until December occurredatabout03:00h. Underwoodtohisabdomen. 15,2022. U n d e r w o o d w a s The injured man

‘Gold Teeth’ of 1343 reportedly smoking reportedly, ran a short Westminster, West Bank marijuana while consuming distance away before Demerara (WBD) appeared alcohol with ‘Gold Teeth’ collapsing. virtually at the Vreed-en- w h e n ‘ G o l d Te e t h ’ He was assisted by Hoop Magistrate Court reportedly accused him of eyewitnesses who rushed before Magistrate Faith smoking ‘bush weed’ and him to the West Demerara McGusty He was not not marijuana. Underwood Regional Hospital for required to plead to the was reportedly angered by medical attention. He died indictable offence of the suspect’s statements and whilereceivingtreatment.

Left: Mr. Standiford Edwards; Technical Expert, CARICOM Private Sector Organization, Ms. Mahitab Bakr; Associate, Intra-African Trade Bank, Ms. Christine Beblawy; Regional Sales Director, ELSEWEDY Electric, Mr. Richard Rambarran; Advisor and Economic Consultant, GCCI, Mr. Timothy Tucker; President, GCCI, Mr. Rene Awambeng; Director and Global Head of Client Relations, Afreximbank, Mr. Kester Huston; Junior Vice President, GCCI, Ms. Naeemah Hazelle; Permanent Secretary Ag., Prime Minister’s Office and Mr. Gerald Nsomba; Consultant, Senior Specialist Trade and Corporate Finance, Afreximbank. (Photo credit and caption: GCCI)

Remanded for murder: Jamal Abrams known as ‘Gold Teeth’

Dead: Sherwayne Underwood

WANTED VACANCY

Driver, sales man, porters to work in warehouse. Must have experience , attractive salary offered. Call: 6964444.

Two sales clerk & one delivery clerk needed at Lens. Apply @ 136 Sheriff Street, C/Ville or Tel: 227-1511/2272486

FOR RENT

2 and 3 Bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments to rent. Tel:# 682-2585, 6648641, 691-1432.

LEGAL NOTICE

These lands are not for sale and anyone purchasing them will not have legitimate legal title or transport.

Block: XII, Zone: Berbice River West, District: Cotton Tree, Plan: COS 649, Parcels: 281- Lot 6,805,758,747, 722,17 B,18B,22B,1271, 1269,1268,1245,1244, 1507,1000C,1032,1118, 1202, 808, 764,745,727 ,807,763,746,725,726

.Beneficiaries of the Estate of Noor Khan.

MOE hosts Inaugural National Blind...

From page 20 the way forward? Addressing the issue of blind education holistically, of course at a national level, how is it we get blind students to be more independent in the sense of being able to ascertain a job after matriculating. How do we reach to the stage [...] in terms of a full education?” she asked.

Ackila Smith, a past student at the institute and advocate for persons with disabilities said she hopes that the conference would provide the springboard to address the many challenges she faced when she attended the school. Among the challenges highlighted is safety and security to and from the Guyana Society for the Blind located at High Street within the St. Phillip’s Green, in Georgetown.

Domestic needed to work for 3 days 8-4pm, must know to cook and do general cleaning, etc. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village. Servicemen for Interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 615-0545 or 231-2250.

One Male between 25-45 years to operate Hardware Store. Residing on WCD or WBD. Call:# 264-2524 MonFri 8am to 4:30pm.

Waitress 18-25yrs from around Ogle, 8 hrs shift $22000 wkly. Call: 610-3974.

One experienced cook and one kitchen assistant. Call: 603-1278/ 665-5074.

Diesel Mechanic, Security Guards, Office Cleaner.Tele: 227-1964, 225-7442, 6236383

Urgently need one female bar assistant/ kitchen attendant for the Interior. Call: 689-4461/ 662-6254 for more info.

Male porters ages 18-30yrs & female cooks for supermarket in the Interior. Call: 687-7638 /691-3942.

Two sales person needed at Bourda & Stabroek, Salary8-6 $90,000, 8:30-4:30 $70,000. Call: 669-9258.

Hotel attendant needed at Hick's Ville Hotel.Tel: 6400673, 227-7714, email: info@vegeworld.com

General cleaner, office assistant, maintenance workers and Labourers needed. Call: 621-6969, 615-7784/ 505-9107.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop @ Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call 645-8443 or 642-9823.

One clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade one or two, email application to: techserigy @yahoo.com or call 6159132.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area call 6159132.

Vacancy for experience driver & maid. Call: 6142783, 656-1234.

Water Delivery Driver and Porter for E.C.D. Tel: 6761363/692-6768.

One Nanny, housekeeper & cook needed. Must be over 40 yrs. Call: 619-9317.

Wanted: Experienced supervisor, cashier, counter person, cooks and labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp andNew Market Sts.

One executive style, modern house for rent in Belair gated community. Call: 2266229/ 617-5458.

One 800 sq ft modern office space in Middle St for rent. Call: 226-6229/ 617-5458.

Apartment for rent, with all utilities. Located at West Minister First Bridge. Contact: 674-5779.

One business spot on Durban Street, $60,000 per month. Call: 623-2900.

3 apartment house for rent (furnished) located on South Road, for business or residence. Call: 614-0495.

MR. K.A Juman-Yassin, S.C Attorney-at-law

SERVICES

Visa application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

Caregiver to take care of elderly woman, must be 30-35 yrs old in Georgetown on weekends. Call: 650-5496.

Vacancy at People's Choice kitchen for two experienced cook & pastry maker. Call: 679-9449.

Experienced Sales girl needed, must be computer literate. Apply in person at Alabama Trading at 65 Robb Street Bourda.

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One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956.

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Good quality carpets for sale at reasonable price. Call: 669-9258.

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LEGAL NOTICE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Beautiful home in Ogle for sale. Owner wants to migrate and is willing to sell out as fast as possible. Please call owner for information, +592-679-6983.

House & land for sale in New Scheme Patentia, River side. Call: 619-8626, 6092338.

LAND FOR SALE

Double lot in Bent Street, 35 mil. Call: 661-2828.

Juman-Yassin and Associates Legal Practitioners

K.A Juman-

S.C., A.A Attorney-at-law PUBLIC NOTICE

The public is hereby informed that the following lands belong to the Estate of Noor Mohammad Khan and are the subject of ongoing Court proceedings to determine title.

Yassin

From page 67 them as partners so as to usurp unfair.” Minister Bharrat said the introduced a windfall tax on crude subsidiary and its associates are is then provided to the US based multibillion dollar benefits carved government has zero tolerance for oil in their country the enjoying tax free profits in company allowing it to not have to outforGuyaneseinthelaw. companies that try to rent citizens. Government of India on Guyana. pay any taxes in its home country Speaking to stakeholders at a He said, “We are serious about Wednesday announced that it will In fact, President Irfaan Ali is foritsearningsoverseas. LocalContentForumhostedbythe peopletryingtoacquireaGuyanese be further taxing domestically adamant that Guyana is new to the Guyana’s Stabroek Block is 6.6 Private Sector Commission (PSC) passport due to some family produced crude, amid the sudden oil business and as such he was million acres (26,800 square yesterday, Bharrat said the lineage… It is only fair that we spike in crude oil prices that have reportedinthemediaasstatingthat kilometers) and has approximately government is keen on getting this here, who stayed and worked, ledto‘big-profits.’ Guyana will not be implementing a 11 billion proven barrels of oil. done following the results of a toiled, scarified to develop the A windfall tax is a one-off tax windfall tax on the oil companies EEPGLholds 45 percent interest in recent court case with Ramps country that we benefit first. Not imposed by a Government on a nor will Exxon and its affiliates be the

a LogisticsGuyanaInc. people who born elsewhere and company, specifically targeting subjected to the new terms his Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent The company with Trinidadian those that benefit from something administration announced for interest, and CNOOC Petroleum parentage had taken the Local were not responsible for In futureoilblocks. Guyana Limited holds 25 percent Content Secretariat to court for instance, the ongoing Russia- This publication had reported interest. For the third-quarter of refusing to grant it a Local Content Ukraine war has sent oil prices that Guyana has found itself in a 2022, Exxon announced that its Certificate. soaringandtriggeringacostof conundrum where it is foregoing overall earnings was a record- A preliminary version of that iving crisis in many morethanitearns.Exxon’saffiliate shattering US$19 7 billion ruling which was handed down countries. Esso Exploration and Production whereas Hess reported that it lastweekFridaybyChiefJustice Amid the war, oil and Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), is the earned a net income of US$515 Roxane George-Wiltshire CCH, gas companies have been operator of the country’s richest oil million and CNOOC recording SC said it was illegal for the seeing record shattering block (Stabroek Block) and US$5.1 billion. In January 2022, agency to deny the company the profits and as such, many continues to enjoy tax free Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Governments have earnings owing to the Production Lall, approached the High Court introduced a windfall tax Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana challenge the Government onthebigprofits. signedontowiththeoilmajor Guyana’s (GOG) decision to grant According to reports, on According to the 2016 PSA, massive tax waivers to the oil uly 1, 2022, the Indian Guyana has agreed to, under the companies and their affiliates. vernment introduced the taxation provisions, to pay Earlier this month, Lall’s all tax on crude oil E x x o n M o b i l ’s s h a r e o f lawyer filed final submissions ver, the Government on Corporation and Income Tax. As in the case and oral arguments Wednesday announced that it has such, it would mean, that Guyana intothecasewillbeconducted decidedtomoveupthewindfalltax foregoes each year, billions of US todaytheysuddenlycometo on December 12, 2022 and on crude oil from the current from dollars On top of this, reclaimtheircitizenshipjust February 22, 2023 was set for 9,500 rupees (US$116 49) per documentation to this effect is then for benefits.” The Minister the ruling The KN’s tonne, to 10,200 Indian rupees provided to the US based company added, “People cannot show publisher’s court case seeks to (US$125.22)pertonne. allowing it to not have to pay any up or fall out of the sky or overturn the expansive tax

Like India, the energy profits taxes in its home country for its appear after 17 or 18 years or provisions granted to the o levy have been introduced in earningsoverseas. whatever the case and say oh ‘I companiesaspartofthePSAfor several other countries like the Guyana’s Stabroek Block is 6.6 Guyanese to the bone.’It can’t drillingexplorationintheStabroek United Kingdom (UK), Australia, million acres (26,800 square work suh. It is unfair It is hurtful Block. Among the grounds, Lall andMongolia. kilometers) and has approximately toothatyoucanjustshowup,never argues that Articles 15.4 and 15.5 Kaieteur News recently 11 billion proven barrels of oil. payadollartodevelopthiscountry, certificate. of the petroleum agreement reported that British Finance EEPGLholds 45 percent interest in don’t know how a road or school

The chief judicial officer said requiring the Minister responsible Minister,JeremyHuntonThursday the Block Hess Guyana was built or how people were the Secretariat had asked Ramps to for Petroleum to pay taxes for and announced that the Government is Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent punishing in Berbice for water like supply several pieces of financial on behalf of the ERPGL, and the increasing the windfall tax on oil interest, and CNOOC Petroleum I did but you just show up just like documentation, which were not Commissioner General to issue and gas operators from the current Guyana Limited holds 25 percent thatandwantbenefits.” part of the legislation. This was certificates to that effect is 25percentwhichwasannouncedin interest. For the third-quarter of

Bharrat said it was the requested by the Secretariat, in an therefore a violation of the Mayof2022to35percent. 2022, Exxon announced that its government’s expectation that effort to prove that Ramps’ 51 PetroleumAct.

The British Government’s overall earnings was a record- companies would have acted in percent sale of the company to President Irfaan Ali was move to raise the tax on the big shattering US$19 7 billion good faith and not try to resurrect Guyanese, Deepak Lall, was recently reported in the media profits being made by oil majors is whereas Hess reported that it people so that they can merely legitimate. stating that Exxon will not be to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis earned a net income of US$515 apply for a Guyanese passport and

In June last, it was revealed by subjected to the new terms his and balance their economy Hunt million and CNOOC recording claimaGuyaneseidentity Ramps that Lall, who was not born administration announced for said, “I have no objection to US$5.1billion.

Though the certificate was in Guyana, only got his Guyanese future oil blocks, nor will Guyana windfall taxes if they are genuinely In January 2022, Kaieteur issued to Ramps, Bharrat said the passportforthefirsttimein2021. be implementing a windfall tax on about windfall profits caused by News Publisher, Glenn Lall, governmenthaspaidkeenattention

The Chief Justice had said in theoilcompanies. unexpected increases in energy approached the High Court to to what played out and will ensure her ruling that the law is very clear crisis.” He then disclosed that the challenge the Government of systems are in place to deal with on the requirements to get a Local Foreign companies cannot energy profits levy will increase Guyana’s (GOG) decision to grant theseissuesastheyarise.

Content Certificate. The company pluck random Guyanese from 25 percent to 35 percent. He massive tax waivers to the oil

He said high-level meetings on must show that 51 percent of its from the sky to front as added that the increase will take companies and their affiliates the way forward will occur with shares are owned by a Guyanese, partners – Minister Bharrat effectfromJanuary1,2023andlast Earlier this month, Lall’s lawyer President Irfaan Ali and Vice ensure that at least 75 percent of – vows to plug untilMarch2028. filed final submissions in the case President,Dr BharratJagdeosoon. executive and senior staff is loopholes for abuse While countries are hiking the and oral arguments into the case “Government is not happy with Guyanese and have at least 90 windfalltaxontheoilmajors,other willbeconductedonDecember12, this This Local Content percent of non-managerial staff is Natural Resources Minister, countries like Norway and Czech 2022andFebruary22,2023wasset

Legislation was not designed for local. Since Ramps satisfied all VickramBharrathasvowedthatthe Republic are also clamping down for the ruling The KN’s companies to take advantage of three, she ordered that the People’s Progressive Party Civic on them and have signaled their Publisher’s court case seeks to us,”theministerconcluded. certificatebeissued. (PPP/C) Administration will do intentions to raise US billions overturn the expansive tax Minister Bharrat said the everything in its power to through a windfall tax on the provisions granted to the oil

SATURDAY government is not happy with this strengthen the Local Content companies Also, earlier this companiesaspartofthePSAforoil – NOV. 19, 2022 decision. He said, “The Local Legislation with the aim of month, President of the United drilling exploration in the Stabroek Content Law was designed to preventingforeigncompaniesfrom States of America, Joe Biden Block. Among the grounds, Lall In 4 months, India ensure Guyanese benefit from the taking advantage of certain threatenedtoincreasethetaxonthe arguesthatArticles15.4and15.5of hikes windfall tax on sector and there are only 40 loopholes. oilmajors‘outrageous’profits. the petroleum agreement requiring crude oil - while Guyana categories of work. There are over Bharrat said theAdministration

Importantly, the additional tax the Minister responsible for not implementing 100 services the sector needs and will not stand idly by and see being imposed on oil and gas Petroleum to pay taxes for and on windfall tax although oil we are saying leave this 40 (which companies pluck random people companies who are ‘war behalf of the ERPGL, and the companies pay no taxes includes logistics work) for from the sky, claim they have profiteering’comes at a time when CommissionerGeneraltoissue Guyanese We are not being Guyaneseparentage,andfrontwith American oil giant, ExxonMobil

on

72) Just four months after it

President of India, Droupadi Murmu

President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali

Former City Engineer dies after Berbice crash

Former City Engineer median and ended up in the Gregory Erskine died on truck’spath.

Saturday following an Erskine and the other accident along the passengers sustained Perseverance Public Road, injuries and were taken to WestCoastBerbice(WCB). the Mahaicony Hospital for A c c o r d i n g t o treatment. The former City information received Engineer and another Erskine, 42, was one of p a s s e n g e r w e r e three passengers in a truck subsequently transferred to GSS811 that reportedly the Georgetown Public crashed into two utility Hospital Corporation poles and a fence after (GPHC) He reportedly swerving from a car driven died around 14:00hrs while bya22-year-oldwoman. receivingtreatment.

Dead: Gregory Erskine

According to reports, Erskine was appointed the woman lost control of City Engineer in 2009 but her car and crashed into the wassackedin2013.

ExxonMobil, other investors will not leave...

From page 61 around strongholds,” the repeatedly reported that the takesimilarsteps,especially former Minister under theA Stabroek Block PSA is one one that was elected on a Partnership for National of the world’s worst promiseto“renegotiate”. Unity (APNU) andAlliance agreements when compared “People must not fall for F o r C h a n g e ( A F C ) to 130 other deals globally it, but there are so many Coalitiongovernmentsaid. For example, the PSA sees gullible Guyanese who On Thursday, Minister the government paying the simply now accept that it BharrattoldaLocalContent contractor’s income tax out would affect foreign direct Forum that if government of the country’s share of the investment.Itisnotgoingto interferes with the two profits. However, none of be. Genuine foreign direct percent royalty or any other the 130 PSAs examined investment will come to fiscal provision in the showsthisarrangement. Guyana wanting to meet an lopsided PSA signed with Further, the PSA is the honest, truthful government ExxonMobil and its only one out of 130, which and if you are going to say partners, it could not only has very moderate work one day, you are going to risk chasing away investors obligations for contractors renegotiateandthenextday, but even hurt the country’s who are vested with you are not going to reputation as a safe haven offshorelicences. renegotiate that is not going forcompanies’investments. Additionally, the to be appealing to foreign Bharrat said over the Guyana ExxonMobil PSA investors,”Ramjattansaid. years, the company would is the only one out of 130

The AFC believes that have faced criticisms for the contracts,whichhasnoringthe PPP does not want to PSAsignedin2016. fencing provisions to change the Exxon deal to “But we have made a p r e v e n t c o s t s o f maintainagoodrelationship commitment and our unsuccessful wells being with the oil giant. Careful position is clear that we will carried over to that of not to disclose what he not renegotiate this contract successful wells. There is meant, Ramjattan urged that because we want Guyana to also no sliding scale for Guyanese be vigilant as oil be seen as a stable country royalty to increase as c o m p a n i e s m a y b e where investments are productionimproves. s u p p o r t i v e o f t h e secured and there is Further, Guyana’s PSA Government in the lead up predictability in companies is the only one out of 130 in toelections. investing in our country; the world that allows

“They have started it otherwise, we would be insurance premiums to be already and then you are doing an injustice to our fully recovered as well as gonna see them releasing country,” the minister interest on loans and monies for certain stated. financing costs that are community projects in and Kaieteur News has incurredbythecontractors.

Prolific Berbice artist and farmer lives through her canvased...

From page 62 $25,000.

loves working in the field something for them, I get so She relayed that she is with her dad, while at the nervous that I might mess it thankful that her family is same time using the scenery up, so that’s why when I supportive of what she and landscape of the paint something, if they like does, as they would help to community as inspirations it,Isellit.” supply her with painting topaint.

Azeena expressed that materials when she needs Azeena dreams to visit she hopes to become more them Michael’s Art Store located confident in her work and But would you believe in the United States of also dreams to travel the thatAzeenaisalsoafarmer? America,andshealsohopes world to be even more Ye s , s h e i s ! T h i s to witness both her parents inspired to paint Her extraordinary Berbician making the hajj to Mecca in smallestpainting,a15by15 helps her father with cash SaudiArabia. centimetres piece retails for crop farming in Black Bush You can find some of $2000, while her largest, Polder Azeena’s magnificent work fifty centimetres by seventy They plant bora. She on her TikTok page oze_art centimetres, retails for added that she loves it and andalsoonInstagram.

From page 71

In fact she believes, certificates to that effect is “Whichever company that is therefore a violation of the going to be constructing that PetroleumAct. plant, whether it is Lindsayca orthey(Government)latergo Award of US$900M on to some other company for contract for gas plant to whatever reason, provide this Texas firm ‘stinks to the n a t i o n w i t h e n o u g h high heavens’- Ramjattan information that we can track ...calls on Govt. to prove the experience of this company’s ability to company, we can see that this complete project company has been doing projects of this magnitude

The Alliance For Change successfully and build the (AFC) wants the People’s confidenceofthenation.” Progressive Party (PPP)

Meanwhile, Leader of the Government to prove the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, competence of a company it questioned whether the has selected to construct a company will indeed be able formed over a thirteen year US$900 million gas plant at to deliver the project on time. period with the most recent Wales, to generate some 300 He said, “Remember the being incorporated five years megawatts of electricity, as history of the PPP. The Fip ago in February of 2017. Two research into that firm’s Motilall, did they deliver? of the companies are still historyremainssketchy. Surrendra Engineering did active while the remaining Lindsayca Inc. in joint theydeliver?” three are now listed as venture with CH4 Inc. that

Ramjattan argued that the inactive.” submitted the highest bid to PPP’s history of executing To t h i s e n d , t h e the tune of US$898,764,244 largecontracts,alongwiththe Opposition MP reasoned that for the project was declared company’s unproven track the gas plant is pegged at the best candidate by record of completing such a approximately US$1 billion President Irfaan Ali, who in a project allows for the while, “we are concerned statement last week also conclusion that “this thing becausewedon’tsee,wehave pointed out that key stinkstohighheavens.” noevidencethatthiscompany considerations in the

In September 2022, has been working in this evaluation process took into Kaieteur News had reported sector with projects of this account the expected 2024 that five international firms capacity.” delivery date for the power had submitted bids for the She continued, “We want plant. construction of the power to hear about the experience However, research plant. of this company because the conducted by the political The companies’ bids are last thing we want or any group has led to the discovery a s f o l l o w : G u y c a n Guyanese would want, is for of a number of red flags. C o n s o r t i u m this contract to be awarded to During a Press Conference US$549,088,000, China a company and then within a yesterday, the AFC’s newly Energy Int’l Group Co short while before the plant is appointed Member of Limited – US$466,649,772, built, you hear that this Parliament, Beverly Alert, C h i n a M a c h i n e r y company is experiencing shared the disclaimer that the E n g i n e e r i n g I n c financial problems, they are politicalgroupisnotaccusing US$696,001,776, Power p r o b a b l y f i l i n g f o r the company of any wrongs, China Int’l Group Limited – bankruptcy- they are going but is simply requesting more US$703,652,256, and under.” information regarding its

Lindsayca Inc in joint Alert told members of the ability to pull off such a venture with CH4 Inc press corps that while the massiveventure. US$898,764,244. AFCsupportstheuseofgasto

She explained, “Our

According to CH4 Group provide cheaper electricity, it research shows that website,thecompanyisbased is concerned that the Lindsayca out of Texas, have in Puerto Rico but has an ‘astronomical cost’ of the been established I think since established presence in project, coupled with a 1995. several other countries company’s unproven track

They are a family-owned whileLindsaycaisacompany record could earn the country company owned by Hectar based in Texas, United States another white elephant Jose Fuentes. What we found ofAmerica(USA). project. is within the last 17 years,

Lindsayca said it has over Independent research Hectar had established some 1,000 employees, 180 clients done by this newspaper was five companies but only two and have worked in 10 also unsuccessful in locating seemactive. countries, completing 118 completed projects by this

company In fact, Lindsayca happened to the rest and

We don’t know what EPCprojects.

President Ali explained Inc posted about nine Linsayca seems to have an that Cabinet’s no-objection projects on its website, annual turnover of about willnowallownegotiationsto reportedly completed in US$10 million or a revenue proceed to conclude an EPC countries such as Venezuela, stream of about $10 million contract. Brazil, Argentina and in perannum.”

He noted too that Power Texas, however, when these This newspaper was able China, the second highest were searched via Google to confirm that Lindsayca is bidder, was ranked number there were no trace or history headquartered in Texas and two and may be engaged if ofthis. indeed founded since 1995. negotiationsfailtoconcludea Alert who had similar Corporationwiki, an online contract with the joint findings during her website also said, “Hector venture by the end of examination of the company, Fuentes (President of November insisted that the Government Linsayca Inc ) has been

“Contract negotiations must prove the company’s associated with five will now start with the track record, and capability to companies, according to expectation that a contract perform such a project so that publicrecords. will be executed before the the country would have

The companies were endofNovember.” confidence.

AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan

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.

S UNDAY – NOVEMBER 13, 2022

Who said Government dumb?

Guyana Governments are smart

They sign drug contracts andleaveoutpenaltyclauses

Thatmeansnobodyhasto worry about anything, includingfailure

No performance, no problem

Honesty a problem, don't worryaboutpenalty

All those left out, all man jackhittingthejackpot.

Who said Govt. has no sense?

MONDAY – NOVEMBER 14, 2022

The Great Guyana tax giveaway

T h e G u y a n a t a x giveaway must be the sweetest anywhere in the world

The math is a bit strange, ifnottotallystupid

The formula is giveaway US$1000Mfirst

ThencollectUS$663M This is how we are

buildingthiscountry

This is what makes Guyana the fastest growing economy since Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden.

TUESDAY –

NOVEMBER 15, 2022

Removal of derelict vehiclesfrompublicspaces

Govt. plans to remove derelict vehicles and encumbrancesfromparapets Those are eyesores and a positivedevelopment

Similarly, the PPP/C Government should remove derelict Ministers from Parliament Further, the Government must remove derelict heads ofStateagencies

Like physical derelicts, therearetoomanylosers,and waste of precious space in Government. They are waste ofspace,andshouldbegiven theboot.

WEDNESDAY –

NOVEMBER 16, 2022

ThatUS$9Baudit

First, it was to be completedinSeptember,

Then there was a long silence.

Now in the middle of November, Guyanese hear it is going to be by the end of December

Since it is Christmas, we wonder what gifts the Government has for Guyanese;

Let us hope they are the onesthatjumpupandbiteus.

US$9B could turn out to be a hell of an expensive toy for this country that can't affordtofeeditspeople.

THURSDAY –NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Businesspeople crying forhelp

Imagine that! The Businesspeople begging the Govt.forhelp

The Guyana Private Sector has benefited immensely, but asking for more

Imagine the plight of the suffering mass of poor Guyanese

They are getting a handout here, some charity there,almostnexttonothing Wholookingforthem?

Boat captain feared dead after reportedly pushed into Demerara River by passengers

Aboat captain went missing on Saturday after he was reportedly pushed into Demerara River- some 40 ft offshore Wismar, Linden, Region 10.

Feared dead is Elick Alexander, 55, of Silver City,Wismar

According to police, Alexander was allegedly pushed into the river by two of his passengers at around01:00hrs.

Itisunclearhowpolice learnt of what transpired but they were told that the suspects are of unsound mind.

However, Kaieteur News understands that they are not “mad people” but “young men who smokealotofdrugs”.

According to police, Alexander captained a boatat Dutchie's Boat Landing ownedbya woman living overseas from Wismar to

Mackenzie and was reportedly waiting on passengers when the two suspects entered hisboat.

Theboatreportedly pulled off with them inside and when they were some 40 ft out in the river, Alexander was allegedly pushed overboard.

Police learnt of the incident around 01:10hrs and sent out a drone to locate where theboatwas.

Theyfoundoutthat it was in vicinity at Spiegthland and ranks were sent in pursuit of themen.

Ranks took control ofthevessel,cuffedthe two men and brought it to shore. The suspects wereplacedincustody Asearchoperationwas launched to findAlexander but up to press time, hewasnotfound.

Whataretheygetting?

Definitely not what they are due, what they should fromwhatbelongstothem.

FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 18, 2022

Oilmoneynotenough

It is the same tune from

Guyanesepoliticians, Don't expect much, the moneyisnotenough.

From one side of their mouth,itisofhowGuyanais greatandpromising;

From the other side, it is how we are poor, short, and stunted. Guyana pumping 350,000barrelsofoildaily, Guyanese don't have GY$350 dollars to buy a propermeal.

SATURDAY –NOVEMBER 19, 2022

Ambassador Lynch cherry-picking

Ambassador Lynch is verysmart,totallysharp Ambassador Lynch picks her subjects and picks apart Guyanese

Ambassador Lynch says Guyana economy is highly promising

Ambassador Lynch not saying anything about Guyana oil contract that is sickening

Ambassador Lynch cherry picking, Guyana

US

Missing boat captain, Elick Alexander

Qatar’s moment of truth has come as World Cup opens

(Reuters) - The moment of truth for Qatar’s ability to organise the World Cup after years of failed overtures and criticism over labour rights and strict laws has come.

Predicaments began mounting as early as Decemb er 2010 when it was announced that Qatar would host the finals amid a storm of international criticism.

“For me it is clear: Qatar is a mistake; A bad choice,” Sepp Blatter, the former president of world soccer’s governing body FIFA, said last week.

Always held during the close season of the majority of leagues, it was difficult to

maintain such a schedule with temperatures reaching more than 45 degrees Celsius in Qatar’s blazing summers.

Two studies carried out by FIFA in 2014 and 2015 were enough to conclude that it would be impossible to hold the tournament in June-July, prompting the move to November and December.

Constructing the new stadiums witnessed many controversies regarding labour rights, amid media reports that thousands of foreign workers either lost their lives or were mistreated in the process.

Qatar responded by altering its labour laws to contain global dismay.

Additionally, Qatar’s strict Islamic laws against LGBT rights or alcohol consumption faced yet another storm of criticism.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, told the United Nations General Assembly last September that his government was ready to welcome everyone from around the world without discrimination.

Qatari Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Barshim, a World Cup ambassador, said the tournament is an opportunity to unite people.

“The World Cup will positively impact our society by showcasing our culture to the

world and by helping people create friendships and build networks. It is a golden opportunity to change negative perceptions about the region and create new and meaningful connections,” he said in an interview with the Qatar 2022 website on Wednesday.

Qatar will be the first team since Italy in the second World Cup in 1934 to participate in the finals for the first time as a host without having previously qualified for the tournament.

In order to avoid a similar fate to that of Switzerland, Chile and South Africa, who all hosted but exited the finals in the group stages in 1954, 1962 and 2010, the Qatar team has undergone a thorough process of preparing for the tournament.

It started by appointing Spanish coach Felix Sanchez

in 2017, whose knowledge of the region helped him guide Qatar to the 2019 Asian Cup title, winning all matches in the process.

Sanchez’s men raised eyebrows with a number of notable performances, including a 3-1 defeat of Japan in the final.

The team continued its preparations by rubbing shoulders with South America’s best with participation in the 2019 Copa America.

Nonetheless, the experience proved to be a little too much for the team as they finished bottom of their group following defeats by Colombia and Argentina and a draw

against Paraguay.

Qatar, similarly and upon special request, took part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last year, where they showed improvement by topping their group and beating El Salvador in the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to United States in the semi-finals.

The team will be under pressure by fans to achieve the desired results on home soil, especially after the Qatar Federation decision not to allow their players to play for their domestic clubs since the beginning of the current season in order to devote themselves to preparations for the finals.

Sunday November 20, 2022

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.

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.

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.

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.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Policeman awarded Champion Rider at South Dakota race of champions

The Guyana Police Force continues to show that it is not only about fighting

crime, making arrest and prospecting persons, but plays an integral part in the

daytodayaspectsofpeoples lives, with its diverse daily activities.

On Sunday last at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) onedayInternationalCircuit Race Meet held at the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri in Demerara. A police rank, was among those that stole t h e s h o w w i t h h i s outstandingperformance.

Police Constable Shem Chattersingh, who is attached to the Transport Workshop, showed his class and diversity Putting aside his police apparel and mechanic tunic he donned his riding gear as he competed amongst the best inthecountry

He not only competed but rode away with the Champion Rider title in the

StreetClassBikecategory

He also copped a second place in the GMRSC Ignite Race of Champions category

Hehadearlierdominated proceedings in the Drag Race competition that was held in August winning in the 600cc and 1000cc categories, riding a 600 SuzukiGSXRbike.

The young policeman and aspiring Super Biker also did well back in July when he participated in the Ignite Race of Champions where he secured a first and second place in the Street C l a s s S u p e r B i k e s competition.

Chattersingh, who along with his father, comprise

team 101. He did not enter the sport by chance but always had a love for the game and began riding since theageoffive.

As his interest grew he began to admire champion rider Mark Vieira and this motivated him to begin riding professionally back in 2018.Chattersinghsaimisto move up in category, in doing so he hopes to acquire a 2021/2022 R6 Motorcycle that would enable him to up his game in 2023 so that he could compete in the Super StockClassCategory

Among his sponsors were the Guyana Police Force and top Cop Clifton Hickenamongothers.

(SamuelWhyte)

Afterstagingtheirhighly successfully one day h o r s e r a c e m e e t o n November 6th, the Port Mourant Turf at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice is quickly becoming the number one track for horseracinginGuyana.

The Management of the entity is at it again and has planned a meet for Sunday 11thDecember

Known as the Port Mourant “Big Yard” Turf Club, because of its size, horseracing events at the entity, which is the only one with some governmental control, are always keenly contested with large crowd support and are very entertaining Taking e v e r y t h i n g i n t o consideration the organizers have thus planned a mega meetthatcatersforallhorses and horse owners as much as possible. Close to $10M in cash trophies and other incentivesupforgrabs.

A number of feature

events are on the cards and entrieshavealreadybegunto pour in as owners try to get on board early The feature event however is open to all racehorses in Guyana and is expected to see the top trotters in the country entered to battle for the top purse of a whopping $2M andtrophyover8furlongs.

Another feature event is open to all West Indian bred horses for a sumptuous $1M andtrophyover1mile.

The next event is for animals classified H and lower for an encouraging take of $500,000 and trophy

The distance is 6 furlongs which incidentally is the distanceforalltheremaining races. Also competing for a winning purse of $500,000 and trophy are theTwo years old Guyana and West Indian bredhorses.

The event for animals classified for J and lower for a take home award of $300,000 and trophy There is an event for the J non-

starterandhorsesthatplaced second and lower in J3 nonstarter/ earner events. The pole position taking is worth $200,000andtrophy

The final event will see theKandLcategoryanimals competing for a $300,000 and trophy take home incentive. For events No 1 and 2 the animals will be allottedweightsaccordingto their classifications. Also to note is that in the event for Guyana and West Indian bred two years old horses, if a Guyana bred horse doesnt win or place in that that event, the Guyana Bred animal that crosses the line firstwillbepaidseparately

Already Banks DIH Limited and Delmur

Company Limited are on board.Interestedpersonscan contact Therbhuwan

“Gingo” Jagdeo, Dennis Deroop and other members of the PMTC as early as possible for entry and other information (Samuel Whyte)

Shem Chattersingh

at the race of champions. (GT Tuners) T

COURTSPeeWeeU-11Tournament…

Enterprise defeat St. defeat St. Pius to take first title

Enterprise were crowned the ninth Courts Pee Wee Under 11 Champion following a marvelous performance against two time champion, St. Pius, in the finale yesterday at the Ministry of Education Ground.

Highest Goal Scorer and Most Valuable Player, Jashan Haynes, led his team tothetitlewithadoubleafter St. Pius drew first blood in the13thminutewhenCarlon Robinson scored Two minutes later Haynes equalised then gave his team the lead with the decider in the30thminute.

Haynes was well rewarded for his efforts with incentives from Courts, Sterling Products and MVP Sports, all supporters of the h i g h l y a n t i c i p a t e d tournament. St. Pius Aaron Vasconcellos was adjudged the MVP of the runner up team while St. Pius also claimed the Best Goal Keeper and Best Coach awards.

North Georgetown settledMarianAcademy3 1 totakethethirdplacetrophy Marian Academy went ahead in the 13th minute

- North GT claim third

from a penalty kick but NathanPeterspulledhisside back into the match when he scored in the 32nd minute to equalise.

With scores leveled at regulation time, the match went into extra time where Shawn Douglas (36) and Malik Fletchman (40) found the back of the net for the victoriousside.

The top four finishers received trophies, flat screen televisions, balls and uniforms while each player from the Championship team was presented with an electronic tablet. Tucville, who got their victory yesterday via a walkover from Mocha finished in 15th position and won the Most DisciplinedTeamaward.

Redeemer copped fifth with a 2 0 win over West Ruimveldt. Redeemers goal scorers wereAdiel Hamilton (18) and David DeCosta (28).

Soesdyke needled (1 0) Anns Grove to finish in seventh as Nathan Roberts accounted for the lone goal inthe30thminute.

Timehri defeated Den Amstel 3 1 to place ninth. Nyron Barrow led for Timehri with a brace as he scored in the 18th and 21st minutes while team mate Damyon Estwick picked up the sides third goal. The oppositions only goal was s c o r e d b y M a l a c h i Muhammad.

It was a simple score line for the COLAACO versus Winfer Gardens clash that went the way of the latter Andre Robertsons 40th m i n u t e g o a l w e n t unanswered.

Craig claimed 13th position ahead of Smiths Memorial with a 5 0 triumph.

Maurice Fields (2, 9) led with a double while a goal each came from Malachi Robertson (7), Kevin DeJounge (16) and Gaddiel Fraser(20).

This tournament was organised by the Petra Organisation and sponsored byCourts,withsupportfrom Sterling Products, MVP Sports and the Ministry of Education.

West Indies falter again during chastening warm-up

(Cricinfo)-WestIndies’battersmisseda chance to find their groove on Australian pitches before their tour game against a NSW/ACTXIwasdeclaredadraw

The visitors were 114 for 4 in their secondinningsonSaturdayatManukaOval whenplaywascalledoff,thehostsdeclaring earlierinthedayonamammoth426for4.

OpenerTagenarineChanderpaul,theson of West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul,madejust4afternotbattingin West Indies’ first innings effort due to illness.JermaineBlackwood,whoretiredon 42inthefirstinnings,madejust1.

West Indies were 77 for 4 before Roston

Chase (31*) and Joshua Da Silva (12*) ensurednofurtherdamagewasdone.

Earlier, Blake MacDonald finished unbeaten on 177 after No. 3 Oliver Davies hadsmashed115offjust106ballsonFriday inawake-upcallfortheWestIndiesattack.

Thetouristswillplayafour-daytwilight fixture against a strong Prime Minister’s XI from Wednesday before Tests against AustraliainPerthandAdelaide.

Match details: West Indians 424 for 9 dec (Thomas 77*, Brathwaite 75, Brooks 56, Holder 50) and 114 for 4 drew with Combined NSW & ACT XI 426 for 4 (MacDonald177*,Davies115).

Highest Goal Scorer and MVP, Jashan Haynes on St. Pius, needed help from his supportive grandmother to display the accolades he acquired in the 2022 edition of the Tournament.

Marian Academy (blue) and North Georgetown contended an intriguing third place showdown.

Handsome remuneration for player’s at One Guyana Presidents Cup football

The One Guyana Presidents Cup football tournament will see, for the f i r s t t i m e , p l a y e r s handsomely rewarded for

each match played in the Regionalstage.

F o l l o w i n g t h e conclusion of the Inter-Ward fraction of the tournament,

players will be selected for their respective Regional teams.

Apart from the $2M up forgrabsforthewinner,each

player will pocket $80,000 permatch.Teamcaptainwill receive $100,000. The head coach of each team will collect $100,000, while members of his coaching staffaretoreceive$80,000.

Each team advancing to the quarter finals will pocket $200,000, and each semi finalist will collect $400,000 Second place team to get $1M and third place $500,000

For the current Inter Ward stage, cash prizes are awarded to the respective winners

President of the G u y a n a F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, highlighted, “With the huge committed incentives being offered by President Ali, I would like to encourage more young men to step forward and represent their c o m m u n i t y t h u s increasing their chances of making the final regional squad ”

“The One Guyana Presidents Cup has opened up a new frontier in Community football. We are alreadyseeingqualityyoung players that we not part of the established football grid,”Fordesaid.

With the unprecedented i n v e s t m e n t f r o m G o v e r n m e n t i n t h e tournament, the Head of State is calling on the most important asset to his master plan the players to be fully committed.

With several entities known for supporting football, particularly during thefestiveseason,President Ali is hoping to bring all of corporate Guyana under one umbrella for the PresidentsCup

He further stated, “This doesnt take away the community football and the small goal football That is an important part of community life and buildingupcapacity ”

“But, here is where you have a serious national tournament that is geared at identifying a pool of national players that will go into an academy, that will h a v e a t h r e e y e a r engagement to ensure that theyre doing the right thing, that they are disciplined, that theyre practising and having the right nutrition and they are having an opportunity to have a future afterfootball ”

President Ali, before the kick-off of the tournament

on November 12, said the idea is to use the Beautiful Game as part of his Governments plan to integrate sports into national life.

President Ali said the f i r s t o f i t s k i n d programme gives the Government of Guyana “An excellent platform which we can reach communities

W e c a n r e a c h disadvantaged people We can reach young people And football is an important sport for Guyana ”

“Ive been around football, Ive looked at football, and I think we have the capabilities and capacity to get to the world cup

We will be using this brand to project football i n a v e r y p o s i t i v e direction, to launch a regional competition,” PresidentAli said

President Ali also believes that football has an opportunity to bring people together,addingthat“Thisis why, in conceptualizing this tournament, I asked the guys to look at how we can bring every region on board, so it goesbeyondclubs.”

DespitewobbleWaltonandCo.lead JamaicaScorpionstoCWISuper50title

ChadwickWaltonscored a well composed innings of 80 as the Jamaica Scorpions won the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Super50 title last evening in Antigua as they beattheTrinidadandTobago RedForcebythreewickets.

Walton led with 80 as he got support from Andre McCarthy with a half

century (55) and Rovman Powell 25 as the Scorpions overcame the challenge of chasing a 218 target set by Trinidad despite a late wobble at the end, being 152 2 at one stage

Seemingly under pressure with Powell being given out LBW, Odean Smith came in andstrucktwolustyblowsto

ease Jamaican nerves and seethemhome.

J a m a i c a p u t t h e Trinidadians under pressure earlier on with wickets at intervals as Yannick Cariah 43 and Akeal Hosein 37 led their scoring. They were wickets for Gordon (3), Odean Smith and Jeavor Royalwith2apiece.

Part of the action in the Inter-Ward stage of the One Guyana President’s Cup Football Tournament.

Tomorrow’s Leaders

Celebrate 5th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

At the beautifully decoratedNexgenfacilityon Woolford Avenue, over 250 kids were invited to an elegant sit down dinner with full service by Balance Waiters, saxophone music by Roy Stewart and a performance by the Gospel Band of Ryan Patterson, as Diane Innis, owner of Party Castle and the Candy Store joined forces with Nexgen Golf Academy to host her 5th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Tomorrow’s Leaders, children from homes and orphanages aroundthecountry According to Ms. Innis,

“We started this with a small idea 5 years ago and it has grown exponentially every year

I wish to thank all our supporters P&P Insurance, Michelle, Leroy Paul, Melrose, Philip, Steve, Roy, Aleem, my family and all those who have been there for these wonderful children everyyear.”

TheTomorrow’sLeaders dinner event is designed to give children an experience thatprovidesthemwithhope

persons who also faced struggles in their early years

butovercameallobstaclesto becomesuccessful.

Performing for the audience was Joshua H u m p h r e y , w h o s e amazing voice captivated the listeners and was called back for several encores. All of the children were given an opportunity to talk about themselves and their dreams and nothing was more evident than their desire to succeed despite theircurrentcircumstances.

Members of Diane’s family also provided all the special guests with books, toys, backpacks and other gifts

Threeteamsthroughto semifinalsinUCCAVishnu SuperStore50overscricket

Three teams have booked their places in the semifinals of the Upper C o r e n t y n e C r i c k e t Association/ Vishnu Superstore Vishnu 50 overs cricket competition after winning their quarter final matches.

The competition, which started as a 50 over affair, was then played as a T20 after rain severely affect the m a t c h e s N o w t h e organizers have reverted to the 50 overs format at the quarterfinalstage.

In results of the matches played, No68 Turn Team defeated No70 Spartans by eight runs in a close encounter

No68 Turn Team batted first and were dismissed for 138 in 29 overs with the veteran Bhim George 23, Karran Persaud 20, Bojenarine Sookdeo 20, Dhaneshwar Gani19 and extras29.

Bowling for No70 Spartans, there were 2

wickets each for L Roopchand and C Singh. They in reply fell for 130 in 30 overs with T Ramoutar 40, N. Deochand 23 and N. Yakoob21.

The game between Jukestown Warriors and No70 MYO saw the latter winningby4wickets.

TheWarriorsbattedfirst and were fell for 91 in 23.3 overs with Clarence

Beresford 41 and Balram Sookdeo18.

Bowling for MYO, Sachin Khan did the damage with 5 24, while Salim Khan snared 3 24 In reply MYO reached 93 6 with Alim Khan 25 not out

Wa y n e G a r n e t t e picked up 2 wickets bowling for Jukestown No70CutandLoadheld their nerve to turn back the challenge of No43

Scorpions in another close encountertowinby11runs.

Cut and load batted first and made 111 in 27.1 overs

with V J Persaud 20, Mukesh Edwards 18, with extrascontributing28.

Bowling for the Scorpions, Joel Samaroo with 3 and Devin Baldeo 2 were the chief wicket takers astheyinturnfellfor100in 28 overs with Malvin Baldeo26,ShanDhanraj18 andextras21.

Bowling for the winners, Mukesh Ewdards, Devinand Chatterpaul and Jamil Assad picked 3 wicketseach.

The game between S k e l d o n E s t a t e Community Centre and NO73 Young Warriors was rain out and will be played on Sunday with the winner joining the other winners in the semifinal which will be playedthefollowingweek.

The competition began w i t h 3 0 t e a m s participating Former Guyana Wicket Keeper batsman Sydney Jackman is the coordinator (Samuel Whyte)

Some of the attendees of the 5th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Tomorrow’s Leaders take a photo op.

Gafoors Industries Limited makes donation to the Guyana Cricket Board

The Guyana Cricket Board received a substantial donation from the Gaffoors Industries Limited to assist the GCB in executing it mandate of developing and

promoting cricket in Guyana.

At a simple ceremony held at the office of Gaffoors Industries Limited the donationwasreceivedbythe

Guyana Cricket Board team lead by Marketing Manager

M r R a b i n d r a n a u t h Saywack, Assistant Secretary Mr Davteerth Anandjit and TDO Admin

Assistant Ms Kavita Yadram. Also present were Ms Roseana Gonsalves Executive Assistant Finance and Ms Susie Persaud Senior Payable Clerk of Gaffoors Industries Limited.

They expressed their gratitude in assisting the GCB with this donation and

are looking forward to workingwiththeGCBinthe future.

Mr. Saywack in his remarks thanked the Chief Executive Officer Mr Sattaur Gaffoor and Gaffoors Industries Limited for their donation and pledged that it will be fully utilized for its intended

purpose He also expressed on behalf of the President Mr Bissoondyal Singh and the Guyana Cricket Board their wish that this relationship would grow from strength to strength in the area of cricket d e v e l o p m e n t a n d promotion across the country

Demerara Cricket Board Under15 Inter Association Tournament...

West Demerara defeat East Bank by 170 runs

In the Demerara Cricket Board Under15 Inter Associations tournament first round match, Shakar Ramesh hit a brilliant half century and came back collectively with the ball to help his team to victory againsttheEastBankside.

At Farm, East Bank won the toss and elected to field, bowling West Demerara out for 221 from 41 overs, as the top order batters failed Ramesh, who batted at number 6 for his team, top scored with a well constructed 72, while Mahendra Mohan, another middle order batter, chipped in with a composed 43 Keshna Singh was the most instrumental bowler grabbing 4 for 16 from 10 overs with three maiden overs, whereas Roupie RajaramandNavindraSingh collectonewicketeach.

In reply, East Bank was b o w l e d o u t f o r a n insufficient 51 from 21.1 overs, Skipper Rajaram tried to hold on for his side before he was dismissed for 11 and was the lone batter to reach doublefigures.

West Demerara bowlers

didnt give their opponent a chance to chase their target as they ripped through the batting line up Mohan claimed3for7,whilePatrice Frazer took 3 for 9 and Ramesh collected 3 for 10.

West

won by a

Demerara

blazing170runs. The action continued yesterday with Georgetown facing East Bank at Queens College ground and East Coast battling West DemeraraatBuxtonGround.

Donation from Gafoors - Rabindranauth Saywack collects the sponsorship from Roseana Gonsalves of Gafoors, while Davteerth Anandjit, Kavita Yadram and Susie Persaud share the moment.

Shakar Ramesh (right) and Keshna Singh were the standouts in the victory for West Dem.

Director of Sports Ninvalle spearheads clean up exercise in West Ruimveldt playfield area

debrisfromtheroadsideanddrains.

The clean-up drive included weeding and grading of the playfield, and the removal of

The clean up drive follows on the heel of Hus Excellency President Irfaan Alli’s launching of Operation Clean Up across Georgetown.

Following the clean-up exercise, football and cricket competitions were down to be held at the same playfield which was cut and graded as part of yesterdays clean up programme.

Over 100 athletes expected

at today’s South American 10K

By Rawle Toney

T

h

e A t h l e t i c s

Association of Guyana is anticipating the attendance of over 100 athletes for todaysSouthAmerican10K, whichstartsat3:00pm.

Hutson told Kaieteur News that the cast will predominantly feature local athletes, with Suriname the only country confirming participation.

According to Hutson, otherterritoriesaremakinga last-minute push to arrive in Guyana before the marquee 10Kevent.

Hudson said this year theyrelookingtouptheante, starting with the race route, which he said the AAG had adopted the World Athletics

standard for organising the event.

“Were coming straight from the Montrose/Happy Acre area, coming down straight on the northern carriageway to the roundabout, so we dont have todealwithKittypublic road and the gas station…going into the roundabout and onto JB Singh Road and the only piece of stretch that we dont have an issue and into the national park for the finish,” Hudsonexplained.

He said the local organising committee decided to run against the flow of traffic to alleviate a n y i n c i d e n t s a n d encroachingfromthepublic; toprotecttheathletes.

This year, apart from the US$1,000 that will be up for grabs, the Male and Female winners will be draped with an18-karatgoldmedal.

At last years event, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) athletes Marlon Nicholson and Sheama Tyrell won the Guyana leg oftheSouthAmerican10K.

Nicholson crossed the line in a time of thirty three m i n u t e s , 2 7 8 0 s (33:27 80s),finishingahead of compatriots Winston Missigher (33:38 30) and OdwinTudor(33:39.30).

Tyrell finished the race in 41:16 09s to defeat Aliyah Headley (45:33 00) and Assatta Eastman (48:29 02)

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle spearheaded a clean up drive in West Ruimveldtyesterday

Ninvalle said he was heartened by the response from the residents and the enthusiasmshownbytheyoungpeopleinthe area and promised to continue such exercises inthesurroundingcommunities.

Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle (left) with youths and other residents from the West Ruimveldt area during yesterday’s clean-up exercise.

FLASHBACK! The 2021 South American 10K was closely contested. This year, the AAG is anticipating another dramatic climax. (Newsroom photo)

Enterprise defeat St. Pius to take first title

Qatar’s moment of truth has come as World Cup opens

Enterprise celebrate their first COURTS Pee Wee Under-11 Title at the Ministry of Education Ground.

The countdown clock to the start of the World Cup is pictured on the Corniche Promenade ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. (REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

Shem Chattersingh is all smiles as Commissioner of Police, acting, and sponsor Clifton Hicken helps him with some of his silverwares.