Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR Gas-to-Energy project Sunday Edition NEWS to be delayed by one year as Govt. and Exxon yet to make final investment decision November 26, 2023

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Chris Ram reveals: Belize imposes

ring-fencing provisions on oil companies through its tax legislation ESSEQUIBO IS WE OWN

National Awareness sessions on Guyana-Venezuela controversy begin tomorrow

…But Guyana allows abuse on Exxon's US$41B projects

Man crashes after driving away with stolen car Car thief forced to return parts after nabbed by police Govt. must say why Kaieteur and Canje relinquished but not Stabroek Block - Elson Low

Findings of US$7.3B audit of ExxonMobil justify full-fledged forensic audit - OGGN Listen to the facts of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy with Director of the Frontiers Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Ms. Donnette Streete on Kaieteur Radio 99.1 FM at 7:20 pm on Monday.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Sunday November 26, 2023

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

False and misleading claim by the The complexity of an Chairman of the National Toshaos Council EDITORIAL

interest rate question The question was as simple: what is the rate of return (interest) for ExxonMobil on its investments in Guyana’s offshore oil operations?

This was what the Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Vickram Bharrat said in response: “The government is not directly investing in the oil and gas sector. That is the misinformation I believe that is being spread and there is this perception among our people that the government is taking the money and investing in oil and gas but if I ask you as the media how much money did Guyana invest in oil and gas in the oil and gas exploration offshore, we haven’t invested anything. We haven’t invested anything, not a dollar in the exploration, the upstream activities offshore Guyana.”

To put it charitably, Minister Bharrat did not do himself any favors with that answer to the most basic of questions about interest rate charged. To put a harsh touch on the minister’s response, he sounded like an amateur, and that meandering, off-key, and overdone answer made him lesser in the eyes of many. As we see it, there was no complexity in the question, nor was it a trick question. Regarding the mystery of this answer, we think that this is easy to unravel.

Minister Bharrat has been put in a bad place, given a dirty job to do. Worse, he has been given a script to speak from, and from which he must not deviate. He deviates and he entraps himself deeper, he deviates, and he ends up in the bad books of Vice President Jagdeo. So, he has to stick to his lines, however pathetic they are, and take the fall for those above him. He cannot provide a straight answer to that straight question.

What is the rate of return (interest charged and earned) is neitherneurology nor quantum physics. It is not even the intricacies of high finance. Yet this question about the interest rate that ExxonMobil charges Guyana has given Jagdeo fits, and now compels Minister Bharrat to speak with a tongue twisted beyond recognition, like a man possessed.

We now proceed to dissect as best as we can this baffling answer from the Natural Resources Minister.

He said that “the government is not directly investing in the oil and gas sector.” Whatever prompted that answer, it certainly did not come from a question raised by this paper.

For that bit “not directly investing” is known far and wide, restates the obvious, is a space filler, possibly intended to use up some time. He then went on to say that “that is the misinformation that is being spread”. If the government was actually investing directly in the oil sector, then there would not have been any issue, any inquiry, about how much ExxonMobil is charging Guyana as interest. Any question to that effect, and which includes ExxonMobil, would be nonsensical. The proper question then would be how much Guyana is paying for the funds that it invests (and not ExxonMobil). Will somebody do Guyanese a favor and take Minister Bharrat out of the firing line. The PPPC Government should know better than to subject this decent citizen, this industrious minister, to this torture, this kind of humiliation. What should be dawning on all Guyanese is that what Jagdeo ducks and dodges from, he dumped on Vickram Bharrat, who has no meaningful answer to offer on ExxonMobil’s interest rate. From the beginning Jagdeo engaged in all kinds of verbal acrobatics to flip past and flop around the ExxonMobil interest rate question, as if his life depended on it. For a man trained in economics, he has had no number to give. Apparently, numbers are not part of the economics program which Jagdeo studied.

ExxonMobil could probably be ripping off Guyana bigtime with exorbitant interest rate charged. If it were a low or competitive rate, the company and Jagdeo would have been the first to put the question and issue to bed. Both would have bandied that about to demonstrate how ExxonMobil is a genuine and sharing partner. Because interest rate charges have become such a closely guarded secret, something smells like a rip-off, sounds like some story about corporate and political trickery.

DEAR EDITOR, The claim by the National Toshaos Council (NTC ) that it is the ‘sole, legal and legitimate’ body that represents the interests of Amerindians in Guyana (Department of Public Affairs, ‘NTC affirms its position as legitimate representative body of Amerindians’, 24 November 2023) has no legal basis.

This claim is an unreasonable/erroneous extrapolation of the functions of the NTC which are prescribed in Section 41 of the Amerindian Act (cap.

29:01, 2006). Section 38 says that the NTC ‘is a body corporate comprising all Toshaos’. Nowhere in the 10 sub-sections of Section 38 are any of the words – ‘sole’, ‘legal’ or ‘legitimate’.

The nearest to the claim are sub-section (h) – to coordinate and integrate the activities of Villages in a national basis – and subsection (i) – to share, document and record the experiences of Villages. It is not clear that the NTC even performs these two prescribed functions.

Two Ministers

(Amerindian Affairs, and Housing and Water) were present in Kurukabaru when the chairman of the NTC made this erroneous and misleading claim on 20 November, and neither Minister pointed out that this claim was legally baseless and incorrect.

What is clear is the total failure of the NTC to defend the Amerindian Villages which have had the control of their 2.299 million hectares of forest on their titled Village Lands stolen by the Government, and the carbon credits attributed to those forests sold in December 2022 to the oil company, Hess Corporation of the USA. No Amerindian Village was asked to surrender their control of

forests using the procedures in sections 14, 15 and 34 of the Amerindian Act, and none did so.

What is also worrying is the Stalinist tenor of the NTC C h a i r ’s d e c l a r a t i o n – appearing to contradict Article 147 of Guyana’s Constitution which protects f r e e d o m o f a s s e m b l y, association, and demonstration. The constitutional protection of assembly, association and demonstration applies to all Guyanese citizens, Indigenous and nonIndigenous.

Editor, I suggest that the official delegation from Guyana to the CoP28 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai at the end of this month should be sure to make truthful statements about Guyana’s massive contribution to global climate heating through the licensing of extraction of oil from deep-water offshore fields, and from the State’s enabling of greater losses of forest carbon from government-incentivised gold mining and timber logging.

Yours truly, Janette Bulkan

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

Disheartening state of Ann’s Grove Secondary School DEAR EDITOR, I am writing to express my profound concerns about the current state of Ann’s Grove Secondary, the school attended by my son. As a parent living overseas, I recently had the opportunity to visit the school, and I was genuinely dismayed by what I observed. The school appeared to be operating at full capacity, if not beyond, leading to severe overcrowding. This situation has raised significant questions regarding the school’s ability to function effectively under such conditions.

It is disheartening to note that all the classrooms are positioned in close proximity to each other. This arrangement leaves me wondering about the quality of the conducive learning environment being provided for our students, especially my son.

During my visit, I was distressed to witness my son attempting to engage in his Technical Drawing class while seated at a damaged table in a school corridor.

Furthermore, his construction work for his Building Technology class was being carried out in the scorching sun within the school compound. I firmly believe that this setup is far from ideal for any student’s education.

What concerns me even more is the apparent demographic imbalance within the school, with approximately 90% of the students being of AfroGuyanese descent. It is troubling to witness such disparities within our

educational institutions when compared to other schools. It raises questions about how we can claim to be one Guyana when it seems that only specific groups of students and schools are benefiting, while others are subjected to substandard classroom conditions that can have a detrimental impact on their overall performance.

Furthermore, I couldn’t help but notice the deplorable condition of the B u i l d i n g Te c h n o l o g y building, situated at the bottom of a Village Office opposite Ann’s Grove Market. I had the opportunity to meet with an old colleague of mine who graduated from the school and heard about the significant benefits he gained from the school’s technical programs. He spoke highly of how he learned valuable trade skills and is now a proud welder.

Back in our day, Mr. Frank Holder was our teacher. I firmly believe that the Building Technology department should remain a vital space for students interested in gaining technical skills, including my son, who aspires to

become an engineer. It is perplexing that the facilities for these subjects are not up to par in this day and age when we are striving to equip our children to excel in the technological age.

Moreover, as a developing nation with significant natural resources, we require skilled Guyanese engineers, welders, and builders to contribute to our progress.

I firmly believe that it is of utmost importance that we address these pressing issues and work toward providing a fair and high-quality education for all Guyanese students, regardless of their background or starting point.

The future of our nation hinges on the quality of education we offer our youth, and I am hopeful that this letter will draw attention to the urgent need for improvement at Ann’s Grove Secondary School and other similar institutions in our community.

I am open to a constructive dialogue and collaboration in addressing these concerns, as we collectively strive to provide the best possible education for our children.

Concerned Parent, Errol Smith

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Consider the safety and wellbeing of law enforcement officers DEAR EDITOR, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my appreciation for the diligent efforts of our police force in maintaining public safety, particularly during festive seasons such as Christmas and New Year.

It is truly heartening to witness their unwavering commitment to keeping our communities secure.

In the face of an alarming increase in criminal activities, characterized by a rise in stabbings and shootings, it is essential that we consider the safety and well-being of our law enforcement officers. The brave men and women who patrol our streets day and night deserve all the necessary tools and protection to carry out their duties effectively.

Therefore, I would like to advocate for the provision of ballistic or stab vests for police officers, especially during high-risk periods such as the festive season.

Equipping our officers with these protective measures would significantly reduce the potential for loss of life or injury, not only to the officers themselves but also to the public they serve and

protect.

In recent times, we have witnessed unfortunate incidents where officers were exposed to lifethreatening situations. It is our moral duty to prioritize the safety of those who put their lives on the line for our well-being. Ballistic vests have proven to be invaluable in safeguarding officers from firearm threats, while stab vests offer protection against knife attacks, both of which have become prevalent in today’s society.

As a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist, I am acutely aware of the psychological toll that such high-risk situations can have on the mental well-being of our law enforcement officers.

Providing them with the necessary protective gear is not just a matter of physical safety but also a crucial component in supporting their overall mental health.

I urge our community leaders and policymakers to consider the implementation

of measures that prioritize the safety of our police force.

By investing in protective equipment such as ballistic and stab vests, we send a clear message that we value and prioritize the well-being of those who dedicate their lives to maintaining law and order in our society.

In conclusion, let us not wait for a tragedy to strike before taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of our police officers. Providing them with the necessary tools to confront the challenges they face on a daily basis is not just a practical decision but a moral imperative.

Thank you for considering this important matter. I believe that by working together, we can create a safer and more secure environment for both our police force and the communities they serve.

Sincerely, Ian Harris Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist

Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 26, 2023

Could our mangrove forests be too much?

Dear Editor, Given the undoubted benefits of the seashore mangrove forests in Guyana, one wonders whether those

responsible for their cultivation and preservation would entertain some reservations.

These reservations arise from the

observation (on the ground and of Google Earth maps) that most of our shoreline of the country would soon be overtaken by tall continuous

mangrove forests.

One envisages that the achievement of this goal of protecting our coast from wave erosion will be celebrated. Indeed, national awareness of the benefits of mangrove forests has reached a heightened stage where the recent clearing of mangroves to accommodate the Versailles shore base facility was met with outrage and rebuke from the media and others.

But is too much of a good thing producing a few bad thing with the near-

continuous mangrove forest along our shoreline?

Already, I suspect some coastline dwellers, like myself, are experiencing not only a physical disconnect from the ocean but a psychological and emotional one as well.

In the ECD community where I live, walking on the seawall to enjoy the breeze and the breaking waves and be awed by the sunrise and sunset is a long dead pastime. Not only is the line of sight blocked by mangrove trees, but the

forest itself is an active trapping ground and a convenient dump site for all sorts of garbage.

There is also the suspicion that these forests act as a wind breaker. True or not, the cooling North-East trade winds are not as strong and reliable as before.

Something to monitor.

Mind you, these reservations are not a case to discontinue the use of mangrove trees as shoreline protectors. I only advocate for our sea defence planners (Continued on page 73)

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WE ARE NOT GOING TO SUCCUMB TO VENEZUELA'S BULLYISM!!!

“We are interested in maintaining peace in our country and on or borders…We are going to be working with our allies to ensure that we plan for all eventualities…

I know that we are going to be working on greater defense corporation with a number of countries. We would have from the US Department of Defense this week, two visits to Guyana by two teams, and then several other visits in the month of December, and high level representation from the Department of Defense here. We are not going to succumb to Venezuela's bullyism...”

- Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Kaieteur News

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Sunday Monday November May 02,26, 2022 2023

National awareness sessions on Guyana-Venezuela Controversy begin tomorrow

T

he Guyana Government will be hosting a series of events, commencing with national awareness sessions tomorrow on the border controversy with Venezuela.

These events are in response to Venezuela's December 3 Referendum which seeks the support of its people to engage in unilateral actions that would, among other things, annex the Essequibo region.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy told Kaieteur News that various ministries, Regional Democratic

Councils, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, and private sector organizations are expected to assemble t h e i r s t a ff a n d f i l t e r information provided to them by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the historical facts of the G u y a n a - Ve n e z u e l a controversy.

“We provided them with guidelines that they should use and this includes initiating the sessions with the recitation of the National Pledge to foster a sense of unity and dedication as well as commencing with a universal prayer to set the tone of inclusivity and respect,” Minister McCoy said.

He also noted that sessions are expected to encourage creative expressions such as music, poetry or spoken word performances to enrich the discussions.

Overall, the aim of these sessions is to inform and engage both public and private sector entities about the complexities surrounding the controversy.

Through a blend of structured discussions led by subject experts and creative elements, the sessions aspire to deepen national understanding and evoke meaningful perspectives on this pertinent issue.

The next series of events get underway on December

1 which will see a day of prayer and a human circle of unity. This is expected to involve a human chain of persons within the Muslim community. December 2 will see a similar exercise by the Seventh Day Adventist and other Sabbath Observers.

On December 3, there will be a circle of unity which will see a human chain of hands nationwide.

This will be at various locations within communities. On the same day, there will also be a multi-religious day of prayer and a night of patriotic reflection at the Guyana National Stadium. Citizens are encouraged to wear

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy

national colours to all events.

This newspaper previously reported that Guyana is currently seeking the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) confirmation of the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the boundaries with Venezuela.

Further, the country is also awaiting the ruling of the ICJ on its request for provisional measures that would block questions in Venezuela's referendum, scheduled for December 3, particularly questions three and five, which have been identified as the most detrimental.

The first, third, and fifth questions in the planned referendum, seek to gain support for a series of actions, which include the definitive and final rejection of the 1899 arbitral award, the annexation of the

Essequibo region, and its incorporation into Venezuela as a new Venezuelan state, and the granting of Venezuelan citizenship and national identity cards to the population.

During a recent engagement with residents, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said Guyana's request for protective measures is not to infringe on the independence of Venezuela in its political endeavours, but to ensure Guyana is not a topic in these matters.

“We didn't go to stop the referendum. Every country is entitled to do a referendum.

What we went for, is to seek precautionary orders in relation to some of the questions.

Questions that would necessitate action that would affect the peace and tranquility of Essequibo and our borders,” the president said.

Car thief forced to return parts after nabbed by police An alleged car thief was forced to return parts he had stripped from a Toyota Prado he reportedly stole on Friday at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police confirmed with Kaieteur News that the man was arrested and will be charged with simple larceny.

It is alleged that he stole the vehicle and then removed some of its parts.

Police were quickly able to

track him down and he was arrested.

Police told Kaieteur News that ranks were able to recover all of the stolen parts.

O n S a t u r d a y, photographs surfaced on the internet with the man returning the stolen components to the vehicle under the supervision of police ranks.

Investigations are ongoing.

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

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GUYANA’S FOREST CARBON SCHEME FACES A CREDIBILITY CRISIS Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo sounded an optimistic tone at his press conference last Thursday. He said that Guyana was going to COP 28 with ‘credibility’ because of its forests acting as abatement to climate change.

Jagdeo told the press conference these forests are an important abatement solution to climate change.

He added that the world cannot achieve net zero, “without tackling a key source of emissions which is forest and land degradation.”

Guyana is hoping to capitalize on its stocks of standing forest carbon. It expects to trade on the carbon markets, earning potentially billions of US dollars, once the markets improve. No wonder, Jagdeo

complained that forest carbon is not receiving the required attention because forest carbon is not yet a part of the compliance market.

Jagdeo may be a little too optimistic for his own liking.

Like the disappointment he faced at Copenhagen, he is likely to discover that the international community is not as confident about forest carbon offsets as he thinks.

A recent Economist magazine article pointed to a Berkeley Carbon Trading Project study, which found, that there was widespread over-crediting of the level of deforestation being avoided.

It also found low estimates of the degree to which deforestation was being displaced to other places rather than stopped. In addition, the study suggested

there were exaggerated assessments of the carbon stock in the areas involved.

Jagdeo did not tell his press conference that last year there was a decline in the number of such offsets traded because of concerns about their quality. And these concerns have resulted in some companies even quitting the voluntary markets in which Guyana’s carbon is traded.

The emphasis is now shifting. Instead of carbon credits from avoided deforestation, there is likely to be greater interest in the trade of offsets from afforestation and reforestation.

Jagdeo’s LCDS makes provision for the reforestation of as much as 200,000 hectares, including

Dem Boys Seh...

Invest in ochres!

Going to de market dese days is like going to the hospital: yuh never know when yuh gan get a heart attack… from de prices.

The cost of living is now higher than de cost of dying.

Buying fruits and vegetables is now like buying jewelry.

If your budget can’t weather the storm, you might find yourself longing for the days when pumpkin was merely a side dish. Not a luxury item.

Fuh but pumpkin, yuh gat to turn up with a gold bar. At $1000 per slice,

having pumpkin on de menu is like having de main course.

Is de most expensive dish on the table.

But that’s not all.

Bora, once the humble companion to many a Caribbean meal, now commands a princely sum of $600 per bundle.

You might think you’re buying vegetables, but in reality, you’re investing in a green bonds.

Forget the stock market; invest in okra futures: it going at $200 fuh a handful.

Rumor has it that these

veggies are now more exclusive than VIP tickets to de CPL? To add insult to injury, the imported tomatoes are laughing at us, selling at prices cheaper than the local varieties.

This is a rebellion: a veggie rebellion.

Perhaps it’s time for the government to remove all barriers and let the foodstuff flow freely into the country.

We can create a utopia where a tomato doesn’t cost more than a designer handbag.

Talk Half! Leff Half!

mined-out lands. But what has Jagdeo and his LCDS office done in relation to promoting offsets for this activity? He likes to talk about projects. Where are the reforestation projects to generate offsets?

Last year, Guyana inked a 15-year deal with Hess Corporation for the sale of US$750M in carbon credits.

This is not as lucrative a deal as it appears since the US$750 M is spread over a decade and half. The US$250M Norway deal was spread over 5 years and Guyana faced numerous obstacles to drawing-down of the resources.

Just after the Hess deal was signed, a major controversy erupted over the calculation used for Guyana’s sale of the carbon credits. In April of this year, a report raised concerns about the accounting used in this carbon credit scheme.

That report was published under the title, “Questions over accounting and inclusion mar Guyana’s unprecedented carbon scheme.” It highlighted that one climate activists had contended that the methodology used to calculate the carbon storage of forests and generate corresponding credits for entities seeking to compensate for (“offsetting”) their emissions was vastly

overstated.

Guyana is one of those countries which brags about its high forest cover (estimated at more than 85% of the country’s land mass) and its low rate of deforestation (estimated at less than 0.1% per annum).

Guyana’s carbon credits are generated from the country avoided deforestation.

But if the country already has a low level of deforestation and a high forest cover, then it means that its forests are intact.

Therefore what degree of deforestation is being avoided to generate such a high volume of carbon credits?

The report explained that carbon credits issued for REDD+ efforts (reducing emissions through deforestation and degradation) estimate emissions cuts by comparing historical levels of deforestation in a region w i t h i m m i n e n t deforestation.

It noted however that regions with high forest cover and low rates of deforestation (HFLD) allocated additional carbon credits that go beyond this baseline. “By crediting and counting the protection of what already exists as carbon reductions, it jeopardizes the math on true global carbon emissions, reductions and meeting climate goals.”

The report argues that about 84% of the 33.5 million jurisdictional ART credits issued between 2016 and 2020 to Guyana result from an HFLD adjustment. “ Wi t h o u t t h e H F L D adjustment, emissions reductions would have totaled 5.3 million [credits], based solely on avoided emissions for forests under more imminent threat.”

This is the background against which Guyana is going to COP28. It is not one of credibility but rather one in which serious question marks are hanging over the country’s forest carbon o ff s e t s . T h e e v i d e n c e suggests that in terms of forests the emphasis is now less on keeping standing forests intact and more on reforestation. And second, there are major concerns about the calculation used in determining the jurisdictional carbon credits sold by Guyana.

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

Kaieteur News

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UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

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LAL

Sunday Monday November May 02,26, 2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Venezuela standing down, but not going away Venezuela is not going to invade Guyana. Somebody over there took a reading of the global temperature, and came to their senses.

Venezuela is not going to abide with any court ruling relative to this border controversy with Guyana.

So, now with a gas-powered referendum galloping at full stretch towards Sunday, December 3rd, Venezuelan leaders, none as much as Nicholas Maduro, have to

find a face-saving alleyway out of the quagmire they have wrapped themselves into, made into their national sacred rite. A soft landing is called for, but it is something that is made infinitely more difficult when done going backwards.

From my perspective, all of these elements-finding a facesaving way, soft landing spot, and while walking backwards are sure to rip neighbours raw, and deeply

rankle them. Let this be said, Venezuela will retreat and lick its wounded pride, its temporarily thwarted ambitions, but it is not giving up on its claims. Never will.

I look at this coldb l o o d e d l y.

President Maduro is pushing for conversation. Let us engage in a hypothetical. There is the unbelievable: a generous compromise on a government-to-government

level to make this controversy evaporate once and for all time. To extend the thought, all Guyana agrees, with the same happening in Venezuela's Assembly.

It may be unbelievable, but so was/is that development making the rounds about a 'channel to the sea', one now filled up with stones and other political waste matters. But what is to stop a covetous and ambition Venezuelan in

its armed forces, o r a rabblerousing jingoistic politician in its circle, crying out about bowing to imperialists, pawning national sovereignty for political objectives, and betraying a part of the sacred national birthright for nothing. For those in the local community, who think that this is farfetched, I put this bowl of toxic soup on the table: If after over a hundred years, the Venezuelan claim is exhumed, given neon-like brightness, and brandished in Guyana's face, what is to hold Venezuela's hand to revisit and repeat its 2023 escalation sometime or the other in the next 100 years?

There is sure to be some fiery zealot, some renegade general, some scheming politician, in Venezuela's charmed circle who would harbor such an idea. When that time comes, the big political push (and accompanying bellicose rhetoric) that fueled the December 3, 2023, referendum would be muted, almost nonexistent. People learn. They adjust. They bear their chafe, and live to fight another day. Guyanese beware of neighbors who fight on the sly.

Here is a second thought that originates from another quarter, but ends up at the exact same place. The ICJ dismisses Venezuela's claim, which looks highly probable at this time. Venezuela has not blushed, not backed away: it will not yield before any such adjudication. It is Venezuela or nothing.

Though it is never healthy or wise to say never, I make the call, and assert that it will always be never with Venezuela where 53,000 square miles of Guyana's territory are involved. In some respects, Guyana is in the worst of situations: it is dying by a thousand cuts (a powerful neighbor running a hybrid (undeclared or proxy) war racket away from the public glare); or this country finds itself living in a near vegetative state.

It is not quite frozen or paralyzed, but it is constrained from expressing fullest strength. It may be more appreciated if presented in this way: a sword hangs perpetually over Guyana's head. This rich land, that richer oil, all Guyana's air of the richest quality drive men (and women) to abandon

mod eration and embrace madness. Lesser prizes have driven men to greater degrees of insanity.

In brief, the border controversy portrait displays these blotches.

No acceptance of 19th century arbitral boundary lines. No consideration of any 21st century court decision. No intention by Guyana of having any dialogue with Venezuela.

It seems to my limited mind that Guyana is in the same place today as pre1899; and that Guyana will likely live under the same heavy shadow come 2099.

Venezuela's Maduro does have this insistent interest to chat. One Guyanese leader did entertain ideas about a stream to the sea. Indeed, webs can be weaved by men who believe themselves blessed with a special kind of magic.

It usually takes plenty to untangle them.

Despite all the public posturing in Georgetown and Caracas, nothing may be really fully off the table.

What is put on it and left on it, well, that is a whole new ballgame. Guyanese had better learn that public statements and private visions can be two radically clashing things. Here is a little reminder. In the good old days before Exxon planted its conquering flag in Guyana, rice was swapped for oil with Venezuela, under a deal that had the expansive name of Petrocaribe. It is still so sweet that some in the region now hedge their support for Guyana behind nuanced language.

Guyana's President even lost a sister.Any reasonable review of this matter between Guyana and Venezuela should come to these conclusions. Guyana has strengths. So does Venezuela. Venezuela has not let go of anything at any time since 1899. Guyana has. Guyana must marshal all its strengths, get its act together.

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

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 26, 2023

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

SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 19, 2023 Govt. press conferences After three years in office the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat finally stepped into the limelight to face the media.

His first press conference was no less than a failure, as the media was forced to endure a frustrating opening statement that lasted close to two hours.

A number of questions are yet to be addressed by Bharrat that were directed to him by the Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. The Minister evidently was not knowledgeable on the sector under his remit and failed to address the issues that were raised.

Jagdeo used to

opportunity on Thursday during his media engagement to evade scrutiny on the oil sector, insulting the press when questions were asked of him and again directing questions to the Minister.

Are these leaders fit for office?

Can they be trusted with our natural resources when t h e y d u c k f r o m accountability???

MONDAY – NOVEMBER 20, 2023 Dodging the Petroleum Commission Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo is all words and no action. He continues to dodge the setting up of the Petroleum Commission.

A P e t r o l e u m Commission would mean

having to relinquish some closeness to the action and, more importantly, that irresistible element, which is power and control.

A P e t r o l e u m Commission that is fully functioning and very capable would serve as that independent, professional, and credible agency that stands in the way of the temptations to steal our oil money.

TUESDAY – NOVERMEBR 21, 2023 Tax giveaway and the PPP/C Chris Ram, Chartered Accountant recently let the cat out of the bag. It is a big one that makes the Opposition, PPP/C look very bad. In the scheme of things,

the man who looks the worst is the then Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo.

The issue is the oil contract between Guyana and ExxonMobil in general and, more specifically, the tax giveaways.

According to Ram in former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman's book, From Destiny to Prosperity, the PPP/C (now in government) is also on the hook for being a party to the tax giveaway.

Trotman's book noted that the Opposition PPP/C was in parliament, and Bharrat Jagdeo was right there, when the tax giveaway came up for debate.

Most conspicuously, nothing in the form of an objection came up from

either the party or its leader, Jagdeo.

This does not look good for the PPP/C or Mr. Jagdeo who now stands as the de facto head of the same oil sector, and who has had so much to say about the 2016 oil contract, almost all bad.

WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 22, 2023 Jagdeo should resign The PPP claims to be transparent and accountable.

If this is the case why are ministers and the Vice President always ducking from the tough questions and the media?

“Move on,” “ask Vick,” and the famous “I'm not dealing with that today” are the infamous responses by former President, Bharrat Jagdeo who is tasked with overseeing the oil and gas sector.

Jagdeo rather entertain jokers like the Guyanese Critic for a talk show instead of giving the nation answers on the management of its resources.

There could only be one reason for withholding information.

Reeking of corruption, Jagdeo, for all his transgressions should do the honourable thing and resign.

THURSDAY – NOVEMBER 23, 2023 Can anyone trust this company?

Recently this newspaper reported that from the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a 12- well Exploration and Appraisal Drilling Campaign in the Canje Block by ExxonMobil that the oil company signaled that 10 countries in three geographic regions can potentially be impacted by a spill.

In the article, we reported Exxon saying that it is committed to helping countries prepare that can be impacted by an oil spill as a result of its planned oil and gas activities.

ExxonMobil has not budged in providing Guyana with a full parent company guarantee to cover all expenses should there be an oil spill of damaging proportions. But it is ready to help Guyana's neighbours prepare for an oil spill.

The company is so strong, and its feet so set, that it can get the Government of Guyana to join with it, and fight the Guyanese people over a court ruling calling for that same company's guarantee should an oil spill occur. But ExxonMobil is slick enough to publicise its readiness to lend a hand to this country's neighbours to prepare for an oil spill.

Mr. Alistair Routledge must have concluded that Guyanese are fools, and that the company and its top brains have all the wisdom in the world.

FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 24, 2023 Essequibo belongs to Guyana!

“All of us as one Guyana understand clearly that Essequibo belongs to Guyana; there is no doubt about that…We have to ensure that we don't allow statements coming out of Venezuela to drive fear among us.

Although we are of the opinion that Venezuela will not act recklessly, we cannot be unprepared.

We have to ensure that we do everything within our own environment to secure our environment,” President Irfaan Ali----November 23, 2023

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Belize imposes ring-fencing... Man crashes after driving From page 3 governing Belize's oil industry. Ram highlighted for example that while Guyana accepts a mere two percent royalty on its oil resources, Belize has demanded way more for its people. Ram revealed that under Belizean law, royalty is set at a minimum of 7.5% for oil and 5% for natural gas.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, R a m highlighted that the country charges an extra tax when oil prices are high. Critically, the profits made by the oil companies are charged at the rate of 40%, all of which were negotiated under a prediscovery contract.

Highlighting other critical aspects, Ram said oil companies in Belize have up to eight years to explore for oil. If a commercial discovery is made, the company is given 25 years for production. If no oil is found within eight years of exploration, Ram said the contract “self-terminates,” meaning that they have to go.

No ifs, no buts and no Bridging Deed.

When compared to Guyana where the world's largest oil find of the decade has been unlocked, oil companies enjoy a more lax regime. Ram said companies have up to 10 years for exploration and 30 years for production of any commercial find. Ram also noted that the terms are even more generous when looking at the relinquishment provisions. “For good measure, our politicians think they have to plead with oil companies to give us back what represents our patrimony, and what the law requires them to relinquish, anyway,” Ram said.

Guyana's generosity does not end there. Ram notes that instead of Guyana collecting taxes from the oil companies on the billions they make, Guyana actually pays to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) the taxes payable by the oil companies, out of Guyana's share of profit oil.

The most incredible part of this whole concocted arrangement is that when Guyana pays the taxes for ExxonMobil and its partners, the GRA issues to the companies a certificate stating that they have paid taxes here. The companies then use that fictitious certificate to fraudulently claim a rebate on their worldwide tax liability in their home country.

A WARNING FROM KAIETEUR NEWS PUBLISHER, GLENN LALL While Guyana has already paid off for the Liza One and Liza Two Projects, the country's share of profits has not increased because our leaders have refused to ringfence these projects. As a result, Guyana is losing US$4B annually.

This state of affairs gets even worse as there are no ring-fencing provisions for the third, fourth and fifth oil projects. The consequence is that Guyana will lose at minimum, an additional US$6B annually. This is a total of US$10B at minimum annually, from those five projects.

In the meantime, Guyana sits with a US$4B national debt that also attracts interest and the government is about to grant the sixth oil project without ring-fencing provision, to lose even more billions.

away with alleged stolen car Police are investigating allegations that a man, who on Saturday crashed into four parked vehicles at Middle Street, Georgetown, was driving a stolen car.

The man was identified as a Spanish-speaking man and reportedly crashed around 11:00hrs after losing control of his car while negotiating a turn from East Street onto Middle Street.

He collided into four vehicles parked opposite Juice Power.

Eyewitnesses claimed that he was driving away from “someone” when he

crashed. Kaieteur News was unable to verify the claims but learnt that to prevent the man from escaping; he was beaten and tied up until police arrived.

When police arrived they untied the man and asked him to produce his driver's licence and legal documents for the car.

He did provide some documents but none proved that he was the legal owner of the car. As a result, police believed that the car was indeed stolen. The man was arrested as investigations continue.

The Crash Scene

Kaieteur News

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Week-in-Review Sunday Pres. Ali says powerful UN Security Council will be able to enforce World Court ruling against Venezuela President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, explained the critical role of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in enforcing rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which could be a major deterrent to aggression by Venezuela.

The President explained this during a press conference yesterday, amidst rising concerns about the controversy with Venezuela.

As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ settles legal disputes between states.

The rulings of the ICJ, as President Ali highlighted, are binding and enforceable by the Security Council under the UN Charter. This organ of the UN, consisting of 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power, can implement decisions that significantly impact the resolution of such controversies. Guyana is expected to join the UN Security Council in January 2024, as a non-permanent member, for two years. The Council can enact binding resolutions on its member states, with powers encompassing peacekeeping operations, sanctions, and military action.

Guyana’s most recently sought provisional measures from the ICJ, to prevent Venezuela from taking actions that would violate G u y a n a ’s s o v e r e i g n t y.

Ve n e z u e l a ’ s p l a n n e d referendum for December 3, which seeks support to reject the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the land boundary between the two countries, to reject the World Court’s jurisdiction, and to annex Guyana’s Essequibo territory. Guyana views this as a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Guyana’s call to the ICJ, according to Ali, represents a commitment to resolving the controversy peacefully and l e g a l l y. H e e x p r e s s e d confidence in the international community’s support.

Amid concerns of misinformation and excitable social media posts, President Ali reassured the Guyanese public that the government is taking

President Irfaan Ali at Saturday’s press conference (Photo: DPI) comprehensive action on the controversy. He urged persons to rely on official channels and said the government will seek to work with the media on efforts for national awareness and education on the issue.

He said the government is engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts and continuous contact with international partners to ensure full awareness and support regarding the border controversy.

“At different levels, this has not only borne fruit but has enabled us to strengthen our relationship with our partners,” Ali stated.

He highlighted Guyana’s commitment to a peaceful resolution, stating, “Our primary focus is to ensure that this region remains a region of peace.”

However, the President, when asked, appeared to hint at the potential for military support from other countries if Venezuela acts recklessly.

While emphasizing Guyana’s desire for peace, he stated, “We have engaged the chief of staff and the senior commander, continuously engaged with partners across the region, and of course, extraregionally.”

“I have had engagement with our key strategic partners. And I want to assure you that those engagements have been very fulfilling and comforting for me as head of state. I have no doubt that our international partners and friends will stand steadily and in an unwavering way beside us,” the President stated.

Guyana hopes the ICJ would one day rule on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral

Award and keep Venezuela at bay.

The 1899 Arbitral Award, recognized for over 60 years by Venezuela, was later contested by the Bolivarian Republic. The 1966 Geneva Agreement sought to resolve this controversy but has been unsuccessful so far. The referral of the matter to the ICJ by the UN SecretaryGeneral in 2018 has brought the controversy to the ICJ. Former EPA Head: Guyanese must hold Govt. to account and demand release of interest rate on ExxonMobil USmultibillion $$$ investments Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Head, Dr. Vincent Adams has blazed the Peoples Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) government for the lack of transparency in the interest rates which American oil giant ExxonMobil is charging Guyana for its multibilliondollar investment in Guyana’s oil sector.

D r. A d a m s , w h o appeared at an Alliance for Change (AFC) press conference last week, was asked about Exxon’s 6th oil project which is about to be approved with no cap to the interest rates, and whether this concerned the party.

“The first thing is that h e r e a g a i n i t ’s a b o u t transparency. I don’t know what the interest rate is.

Which brings up another question in terms of the NRF {Natural Resource Fund}, where the NRF is apparently making 1.36% (interest) but we are going out there and taking loans like drunken

sailors and nobody knows what the interest rate is,” Dr. Adams said.

He said an interest rate of 10% was mentioned in the public domain; however this is yet to be confirmed by the government. He described the interest rate situation as “kitchen table economics” since according to him, the NRF rakes in a mere 1.36% but the country is borrowing loans at an average 10% interest rate.

To date, ExxonMobil has invested more than US$40 billion to develop the country’s oil and gas sector.

Guyanese are still in the dark on the rate of return on this investment.

Dr. Adams reiterated, “I do not know what those interest rates are, in terms of capping the government would not reveal it, but I would expect that capping would be something that should be a necessity regardless of what it is.

But nevertheless at least we ought to know what the magnitude is in terms of what we are paying for because we are the ones who are paying it.”

He emphasised that it is not the government which is footing the bill. “It is our money,” he said, adding that, “we have got to understand and open our eyes and hold them accountable for they should be telling us what those interest rates are.”

Billions of US currency is being deducted annually from Guyana’s oil resource to pay back the ExxonMobilled consortium for its investments in the Stabroek Block, yet Guyanese are not privy to the expenses being racked up by these companies or the interest rates attached to the financing of the projects.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference in June was asked about the interest rates but avoided the question.

Earlier in his press conference, the VP said Guyana was paying a rate to Exxon since it is a standard practice for a return to be generated on the company’s equity. “Regardless of whether you make the financing in the form of a loan or equity you have to get a rate of return. There is a cost of capital and that is how it is,” Jagdeo asserted.

This newspaper in a follow up question to the former Head of State’s remarks queried whether there was a standard rate Guyana is paying.

The subject of a standard

Sunday November 26, 2023

rate is particularly significant, given that Guyana has already been warned by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the country could lose massive revenue by failing to cap the interest rates on the investments for its oil projects.

The IMF said it is an industry norm that the government of the day disallows interests from being recovered on loans.

Even if this is allowed, the administration sets a cap or limit to prevent the full interest amount from being recovered.

The IMF pointed out that Guyana not only allows the recovery of the interest but also sets no cap.

In his response to the specific question however, the former President told this newspaper, “We are not paying anything.

The Government of Guyana is not paying anything because they have to raise the financing using the best efforts; the cheapest cost of financing that is what they are supposed to do as a company, so this is what can be analyzed even when you look at the cost bank.”

Before further questions could be asked, Jagdeo requested that the press conference “move on.”

The response from the country’s chief spokesperson on the petroleum sector casts a gloomy picture on what the true cost of capital is, and the total revenue Guyana could be losing annually on interest payments.

Monday Minister Bharrat says Guyana not investing when asked about Exxon’s rate of return on investment Misguided or misinforming???

“The government is not directly investing in the oil

and gas sector. That is the misinformation I believe that is being spread and there is this perception among our people that the government is taking the money and investing in oil and gas but if I ask you as the media how much money did Guyana invest in oil and gas in the oil and gas exploration offshore, we haven’t invested a n y t h i n g . We h a v e n ’t invested anything, not a dollar in the exploration, the upstream activities offshore Guyana.” – Minister Vickram Bharrat The Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat on Tuesday told reporters that Guyana is not investing in the oil and gas activities in the Stabroek Block offshore.

He was at the time responding to a question from Kaieteur News on what the rate of return (interest) is on U.S oil giant, ExxonMobil’s multibilliondollar investment is.

The country is being charged an interest rate on t h e c o m p a n y ’s e q u i t y contribution to develop the resources discovered in the block. This is deducted monthly through Guyana’s oil. Notably, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, in June this year while responding to a question on the subject confirmed that the company was charging a rate of return but did not allow further scrutiny. “Regardless of whether you make the financing in the form of a loan or equity you have to get a rate return. There is a cost of capital and that is how it is,” Jagdeo asserted.

During the Minister of Natural Resources’s press conference last week, Kaieteur News specifically asked the Minister to confirm the rate of return on Exxon’s multibillion-dollar investments in the Stabroek Block, when initially he glossed over the issue.

After being reminded of the question, Bharrat (Continued on page 15)

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

From page 14 explained, “The government is not directly investing in the oil and gas sector. That is the misinformation I believe that is being spread and there is this perception among our people, that the government is taking the money and investing in oil and gas but if I ask you as the media how much money did Guyana invest in oil and gas in the oil and gas exploration offshore, we haven’t invested a n y t h i n g . We h a v e n ’t invested anything, not a dollar in the exploration, the upstream activities offshore Guyana.”

The Minister’s response left reporters puzzled as Bharrat was never asked about Guyana’s investment, but rather, Exxon’s.

On Friday, Executive Member of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and former head of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Dr. Vincent Adams called out the administration for lacking transparency on the interest rates being charged by the company.

Dr. Adams argued that the loans are being racked up

by Guyana like drunken sailors to develop the resources, however the country remains in the dark on the rate of return. ”We ought to know what the magnitude is in terms of what we are paying for because we are the ones who are paying it… we have got to understand and open our eyes and hold them accountable for they should be telling us what those interest rates are,” the former EPA boss reasoned.

He said an interest rate of 10 percent was mentioned in the public domain; however, this is yet to be confirmed by the government. To this end, the AFC described the interest rate situation as “kitchen table economics” since the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) rakes in a mere 1.36% in interest but the country could be borrowing loans at an average 10% interest rate.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had warned that Guyana could lose massive revenue by failing to cap the interest rates on the investments for its oil projects.

The body said it is an industry norm that the government of the day disallows interests from being recovered on loans.

Even if this is allowed, the administration sets a cap or limit to prevent the full interest amount from being

Prime Minister of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves recovered. The IMF pointed out that Guyana not only allows the recovery of the interest but also sets no cap.

Businessman and Publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall during his radio programme aired on 99.1/99.5 FM had said that at a 10 percent interest rate on the US$50 billion investments in the Stabroek Block, Guyana could be paying US$5 billion annually in interest alone.

On the other hand, he pointed out that Guyana has been barely earning just over US$1 billion in profit and royalty a year.

CARICOM backs Guyana’s efforts to settle border controversy with Venezuela at ICJ Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley and Prime Minister of the St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves have echoed the support of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for Guyana, even as the country takes steps to have its border controversy with Venezuela addressed at the level of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“CARICOM has issued a very strong statement in support of Guyana. We as individual countries all have echoed those sentiments , the fact that I have said two weeks before at the conference that Venezuela is also a friend, we would like to see the Caribbean remain a zone of peace. In this particular case in our view, Guyana’s position has been strong, it has been unwavering and it is before the International Court of Justice, and we’ll back them 150 percent with that,” Mottley said at a press conference she shared with Gonsalves at the Grantley Adams International Airport

in Barbados on Saturday.

Prime Minister Mottley also expressed hope that the rhetoric and the noise between Venezuela and Guyana, do not convert the Caribbean region into anything that is not a zone of peace.

She continued, “Venezuela is a friend as well and, therefore, we would like to see the Caribbean remain a zone of peace.”

“It matters to us that this Caribbean remains a zone of peace… So we are depending on the two countries to keep the temperatures down even if there is not the settled outcome on the dispute that will be traditionally expected, over Guyana’s 160,000 square kilometer Essequibo County.”

For his part, Gonsalves said Guyana and Venezuela, “must uphold that the region is one of peace and that there will be no force used or threat of force singly or jointly”. He noted too, “CARICOM has always defended the territorial inviolability of Guyana.”

The Vincentian Prime Minister stressed too that, “the only entity to benefit from any clash in any physical sense is imperialism” which acts in its own interest historically.

On Saturday, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali said that Guyana is committed to resolving the controversy peacefully and legally. He expressed confidence in the international community’s support during a press conference.

Amid concerns of misinformation and excitable social media posts, President Ali reassured the Guyanese public that the government is taking comprehensive action on the border issue. He urged people to rely only on official channels for

PAGE 15

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley information and he said the government will seek to work with the media on efforts for national awareness and education on the issue.

He said the government is engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts and continuous contact with international partners to ensure full awareness and support regarding the border controversy. “At different levels, this has not only borne fruit but has enabled us to strengthen our relationship with our partners,” Ali stated.

He highlighted Guyana’s commitment to a peaceful resolution, stating, “Our primary focus is to ensure that this region remains a region of peace.”( ßP !

However, the President, when asked, appeared to hint at the potential for military support from other countries if Venezuela acts recklessly.

While emphasizing Guyana’s desire for peace, he stated, “We have engaged the chief of staff and the senior commander, and continuously engaged with partners across the region, and of course, extraregionally.”

“I have had engagement with our key strategic partners. And I want to assure you that those engagements have been very fulfilling and comforting for me as head of state. I have no doubt that our international partners and friends will stand steadily and in an unwavering way beside us,” the President stated.

Guyana recently sought provisional measures from the ICJ, to prevent Venezuela from taking actions that would violate South America’s only Englishs p e a k i n g c o u n t r y ’s sovereignty.

Venezuela’s planned referendum for December 3,

seeks support to reject the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the land boundary between the two countries, to reject the World Court’s jurisdiction, and to annex Guyana’s Essequibo territory.

Guyana views this as a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Tuesday Guyana waived US$2.3B in taxes to oil companies; earned less than US$1B The onerous Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with U.S oil major, ExxonMobil and partners has placed Guyana in a position where it is waiving billions in taxes, but earning less than it has given away.

its affiliates shall not be subjected to tax, value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, property held or transactions except as specified under the agreement.

It goes on to state at Article 15.4 that the sum equivalent to the taxes owed by the company will be paid by the Minister responsible for Petroleum to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). A legal suit brought against these abusive tax giveaways by the Publisher of this newspaper, M r. G l e n n L a l l w a s unsuccessful as the Court dismissed the case in February of this year.

An analysis done by Kaieteur News of the tax exemptions granted between 2019 and 2021, utilizing the Auditor General’s (AG) Report shows that a whopping US$2.3 billion in taxes were waived to Exxon and other oil companies operating here, while the country only earned US$932 million. This means Guyana lost more than two times the revenue it earned in tax waivers.

According to the AG report, a total of US$600 million in tax exemptions were granted to the oil companies in 2019. That same year- in DecemberGuyana commenced oil production and registered an

ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge Since production activities commenced in Guyana in December 2019 on Guyana’s first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vesselLiza Destiny- the country began losing massive resources to the oil companies. The PSA states at Article 15.1 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as

earning of US$150 million.

In 2020, the report highlighted that another US$685 million in tax waivers were granted while Guyana earned a meager US$149 million during the period.

Meanwhile, in 2021, the AG report stated that the tax exemptions grew to just over US$1B, while revenues from (Continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

From page 15 the sector only amounted to US$633 million.

This means the total tax waivers to oil companies in the three years totaled close to US$2.3 billion and revenue flow to the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) only amounted to US$932 million between 2019 and 2021.

The report by Auditor General, Deodat Sharma for the year 2022 has not yet been made public. It is likely however to be consistent with the previous years in which tax exemptions supersede the country’s oil revenue.

IMF urges countries to cut tax breaks to oil companies I n S e p t e m b e r, t h i s newspaper reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a 2023 report has urged countries to cut back on concessions granted to oil companies as fossil-fuel subsidies surged to a record US$7 trillion in 2022.

The bank said as the world struggles to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and parts of Asia, Europe and the United States swelter in extreme heat, subsidies for oil, coal and natural gas are costing the equivalent of 7.1 percent of global gross domestic product.

T h a t ’s m o r e t h a n governments spend annually on education (4.3 percent of global income) and about two thirds of what they spend on healthcare (10.9 percent), the IMF said in the article written by its staff Simon Black, Ian Parry, and Nate Vernon.

Sunday November 26, 2023

No end in sight for drop in prices for greens’ – Pres. Ali blames dry weather, market forces In response to citizens’ concerns over rising prices of basic food items, President Irfaan Ali discussed the complexities arising from a prolonged dry spell and other factors affecting agricultural production.

While uncertainty lingers on when ‘greens’ prices will normalise, President Ali highlighted that ongoing government interventions, including a recent $5 billion assistance are all aimed at alleviating farmers’ challenges.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the European Union (EU) Global Gateway Economic Mission on Monday, President Ali explained how the dry spell, coupled with other variables beyond the government’s control has led to reduced yields and productivity.

“Basic theories are that if there is a drop in supply and demands has not decreased, then price increases so that is primarily the main issue that we have here.”

Despite efforts to minimise these impacts through measures and policies, he acknowledged the persistent climatic conditions and their adverse effects on the upcoming second crop, particularly ‘greens’ expected in midDecember. Ali continued, “the crop will also be affected because the dry season continues…we expect the dry season to

President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali on the sidelines of an event speaking to reporters on Monday continue even into the first quarter of next year, so we are working on supporting the farmers so their input cost could come down but they are faced with a challenge that even with reducing input cost, the climatic condition is affecting severely their productivity which is yield, and also destroying their crops completely so there is a major problem with supply.”

When questioned about the timeline for a return to normal produce prices, President Ali likened it to being asked when rain will fall. Moreover, President Ali emphasised the multifaceted nature of the issue, detailing the challenges faced by farmers, from decreased supply to crop destruction due to extreme heat. He underscored the government’s focus on supporting farmers by reducing input costs and facilitating structured markets across the country to

stabilise prices. He further stated, “We would love it to come down tomorrow, but what the government has to do is to implement measures that minimise the impact, we have done that, that is why you see the low inflation rate that is why you still see food available on the market.”

Wednesday ExxonM free to recover interest rates without Minister’s approval – oil contract Oil major, ExxonMobil is free to recover the interest, expenses and fees incurred on loans for the development of the resources in the Stabroek Block, without consent from the Minister responsible for Petroleum.

This is outlined in the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with ExxonMobil and Co-Venturers, Hess and CNOOC. Annex ‘C’ of the

Mohamed Haniff photos

Agreement, specifically in Section 3.1, which governs costs that can be approved without the Minister ’s approval states: “…interest, expenses, related fees incurred on loans raised by the Parties comprising the Contractor for Petroleum Operations and other financing costs provided that such expenses, fees and costs are consistent with market rates.”

The government, despite repeated requests, has been reluctant to disclose the interest rates being charged by the developer. During a press conference last week hosted by the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, Kaieteur News specifically asked the Minister to confirm the rate o f r e t u r n o n E x x o n ’s multibillion-dollar investments in the Stabroek Block. The Minister went on to provide an unrelated answer, explaining that Guyana was not investing in

the oil and gas sector. He said, “The government is not directly investing in the oil and gas sector. That is the misinformation I believe that is being spread and there is this perception among our people, that the government is taking the money and investing in oil and gas but if I ask you as the media how much money did Guyana invest in oil and gas in the oil and gas exploration offshore, we haven’t invested a n y t h i n g . We h a v e n ’t invested anything, not a dollar in the exploration, the upstream activities offshore Guyana.”

M e a n w h i l e , Vi c e President Bharrat Jagdeo in October during his weekly media engagement was asked to bring clarity on the issue when he said he was not going to “confirm anything”.

On Friday, Executive Member of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and former head of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Dr. Vincent Adams called out the government for lacking transparency on the interest rates being charged by the company.

Dr. Adams argued that the loans are being racked up

by Guyana like drunken sailors to develop the resources, however the country remains in the dark on the rate of return. ”We ought to know what the magnitude is in terms of what we are paying for because we are the ones who are paying it… we have got to understand and open our eyes and hold them (Continued on page 68)

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

ORANGE THE RUNWAY

...Where fashion meets advocacy

Some of the fashion pieces expected at this year's show.

s l l a f r e t Wa The

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Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

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BREAKING THE OECD HOLD ON GLOBAL TAX GOVERNANCE

By Sir Ronald Sanders (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.)

“The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is nothing less than a Club of the world’s wealthiest countries which is determined to bend powerless countries to its will”. I wrote that statement in 2002 after four years of negotiations with the OECD against its unilateral imposition of a regime to counter what it called the ‘Harmful Tax Competition Initiative (HTCI)”, launched in 1998.

Unfortunately, in 2001, it succeeded in imposing its arbitrary HTCI, which killed the provision of global financial services by developing nations, including in the Caribbean, by threatening and imposing sanctions on countries that tried to stand-up for their sovereign right to set their own tax levels.

It was aided in this unjust action to establish itself as the only global rule maker on taxation, by the absence of a strong, united resistance from developing countries.

Since then, there has been no end to the OECD’s relentless – some may say, ruthless – efforts to control and dictate tax levels for the rest of the world. Today, the OECD, comprising of 38 of the world’s 180 nations are still blacklisting countries that do not comply with the so-called “standards” that it sets, using a mechanism, euphemistically named, “The Global Tax Forum”, in which many developing states have become complicit in their own loss of autonomy on tax matters.

The 27 member states of the European Union (EU) are a powerful and important

bloc in the OECD, outnumbering other countries by 11 votes.

A m o n g t h e o t h e r 11 members are the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and, sadly, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico from Latin America. When the EU does not succeed in s e c u r i n g O E C D endorsement of any of its ambitions, it implements its own. In September 2000, Sir Lester Bird, the late Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, whose country had battled courageously against the dictates of the OECD, declared in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) that OECD action on global taxation was contrary to international law. In this regard, he called on the OECD “to resolve to halt its insidious process and place any discussion on tax issues in this multilateral forum (the UN) where it rightly belongs.”

His call went unheeded.

And, over the following 23 years, the OECD alone has dictated rules, regarding taxation. In the course of it, the financial services sector in developing states was decimated at a high cost, which continues to mount as the OECD instigates selfserving global directives.

Then, in 2022, fifty-four African nations, led by Nigeria, frustrated by the O E C D ’s s t r a n g l e h o l d , successfully brought a resolution to the UNGA, recommending that the UN Secretary-General produce a report on “the promotion of inclusive and effective international tax cooperation at the United Nations.”

Encouraged by the admission in the report that the UN has a role to play and its identification of three options that could be followed, the Africans submitted another Resolution, seeking to wrest control from the OECD. The Resolution, entitled “Promotion of inclusive and effective international cooperation at the United Nations, was adopted on 22 November 2023 by a vote of 125 in favour, 48 against and

9 abstentions. Ten countries, surprisingly including Dominica and Venezuela, absented themselves.

Naturally, all 27 of the EU states voted against the Resolution.

They were joined by the US, the UK, Japan and other countries with strong dependent, economic or military links to the OECD nations. However, it is notable that Mexico and Costa Rica – both OECD members – abstained from the vote. The question is what happens now? One certainty is that the powerful states of the OECD will not allow international taxation to be taken from their control, by placing it in the UNGA. Even before the resolution was adopted on November 22, the big OECD countries had been working against it. That work will continue in their accustomed way – through coercion and inducements to break the resolve of the developing countries that so overwhelmingly voted for

the Resolution. The powerful states of the OECD have until August 2024 to once again divide and rule developing countries. By that time, an ad-hoc working group will have the responsibility to draft terms of reference for a UN framework convention on international tax cooperation.

Undoubtedly, the big OECD countries will field their toughest negotiators; developing countries, including the Caribbean, need to do the same. The large OECD countries are the principal advocates of the merits of competition in the provision of goods and services in the world because their industrial and agricultural capacity have reached the point where they need unrestricted entry to global markets to meet their expanding and increasing domestic financial challenges. But while they promote competition in the areas of their competitive advantage, they decry it in

taxation which is the last frontier of autonomy for d e v e l o p i n g countries.

Already the big OECD countries are disparaging the Resolution, desperate to make it fail when it is considered by the UNGA in 2024. The language being used is remarkably deceptive. For i n s t a n c e , a U K representative is reported to have said, “If we’re to deliver an improved tax system through the UN community, there must be the broadest possible buy-in from the start”.

Regrettably, that edict did not apply to the OECD’s rules and standards, which its members developed by themselves and which they now pressure developing nations to accept.

The pursuit of a fair, just, and equitable international tax system is paramount.

This system should

Sir Ronald Sanders reflect the needs, priorities, and capacities of all countries, considering the unique challenges faced by regions like Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

Hopefully, this time – the countries of the global south, including the Caribbean, will not sacrifice their longterm interest for short term crumbs.

The OECD of 38 nations should not dictate terms for the other 142 states in the world community. That undertaking should rightly reside in the UN. Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

THE

Court Journal

By Renay Sambach Bribery is defined as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official, or other person, in charge of a public or legal duty.

Today I will rehash a few recent matters in relation to bribery.

In 2021, a Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) prosecutor was charged for collecting a bribe from a gold miner.

The prosecutor was caught in a police sting operation accepting the bribe money from a gold miner, one week before he was charged for the offence.

The defendant, Sherwin Crandon, 44, of George Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, made his first court appearance before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court when he pleaded not guilty and was charged for corrupt transaction by an agent.

The charge states that, at Seeta’s Bar, Kitty, Georgetown,

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Persons charged with bribery being a prosecutor employed with the GGMC, he corruptly obtained $300,000 from Viveka Singh as an inducement for forbearing to prosecute and to cause the matter to be dismissed against Singh for illegal mining, an act in relation to his principal affairs.

According to an initial report by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), a gold miner visited its Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown and disclosed to the police that in 2019 he was charged by the GGMC for illegal mining at Blackwater, Mahdia.

The man further revealed that Crandon called him and informed him that he was willing to dismiss his case if he paid him $300,000.

He said the prosecutor went on to tell him that if he does not comply then he would be convicted for the offence.

The miner said Crandon then gave him a location to meet him at the popular bar in Station Street, Kitty.

A sting operation was executed by the GPF when the GGMC prosecutor met the miner at the bar and was subsequently confronted by police – a search was conducted on him and the $300,000 was found in his pants pocket. He was informed of the allegation, arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station. ( After Crandon was arrested, he told the GPF that he is a prosecutor at GGMC and he was prosecuting an active matter against the said gold miner at the Mahdia Magistrate Court, which was being tried at the Diamond Magistrate Court. Crandon admitted that he did collect the money from the gold miner, but

claimed that he wanted to “borrow” it.

In another case, on August 30, 2021, a member of the GPF was placed on bail for allegedly extorting $400,000, from a suspect’s relative.

Police Corporal, Omale Damon was caught in a sting operation collecting money from a criminal suspect’s relative.

Shortly after the sting operation, Damon made his first court appearance but he was denied bail and was remanded to prison.

However, when he appeared before Senior Magistrate, Leron D a l y, i n t h e G e o r g e t o w n Magistrates’ Courts – he made a bail application and same was granted.

On August 13, 2021, Damon had made his first court appearance where he was remanded to prison. Kaieteur News had reported that the defendant had denied the charges which were previously read to him

by Former Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

It was reported that he was slapped with three counts of corrupt transaction. According to information, Damon had collected a total of $400,000 from the relative of the suspect to secure that individual’s release; the suspect was in custody for the possession of a firearm.

Moreover, he was also charged for collecting an additional $80,000, which lead to his arrest after he was caught collecting the money from the suspect’s girlfriend. This led to him being arrested and subsequently charged and placed before the court.( Damon is currently out on bail in the sum of $50,000 on each charge.

On October 7, 2021, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA) Permanent Secretary (PS), Sharon Hicks was caught in a police sting operation taking a bribe from a security services contractor.

The PS was caught after the contractor became fed-up of her allegedly demanding a $200,000 kick-back just to sign off some invoices.

He notified police of her demands and a sting operation was set up. The man agreed to pay Hicks the cash and on the day that the money was being handed over, he called in the police, and ranks were reportedly able to catch her red-handed.( She was immediately sent on leave to facilitate an investigation.

Kaieteur News had reported that the PS had allegedly struck up a deal with the contractor’s father, who was the former owner of the security services company. The deal was that, in order for her to secure him a contract with the ministry, he had to give her a $200,000 kickback.

Unfortunately, he died and his son took over the company and did not know about the deal his father had made with the PS. When she started to demand money, he became furious, and decided to take action.

Notably, in September 2022, the matter was dismissed against Hicks.

While the three previous matters were police sting operations, the final matter involves three individuals who allegedly attempted to bribe a policeman at the Golden Grove Police Station, East Bank Demerara.

The defendants were granted

bail when they appeared at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court.( Vishal Munilall, 34, a fraud accused, his female relative, Kuluwattie Munilall, 25, and Deodharry Oodit, 26, all appeared before Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman.

They were charged with corrupt transaction at the Golden Grove Police Station. The transaction was to allegedly bribe an investigating officer with $700,000 for Munilall’s freedom.

Munilall at the time was detained for allegedly committing fraud by selling unsuspecting customers properties that did not belong to him. He reportedly, did not want to spend Christmas in jail and had allegedly conspired with Kuluwattie and Oodit to bribe the officer to let him go. The trio pleaded not guilty to the attempted bribery charge and was granted $40,000 bail each.

According to reports, Munilall and his alleged accomplices were wanted by the police for some two years.

Ranks caught Munilall and during his interrogation, he requested a phone call to his attorney and it was granted. His lawyer arrived along with his female relative, Kulwattie, who handed him a package, which he gave to the investigating officer.

After the officer found the cash in the package, Munilall reportedly requested that he drop the fraud investigation and set him free. The policeman however, reportedly refused the cash and cautioned Munilall that he had just committed an offence.( When asked why he did it, Munilall reportedly responded that he simply did not want to spend Christmas in jail.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

Snoop Dogg’s ‘giving up smoke’ turns out to be ad campaign Rap legend Snoop Dogg recently announced he had given up “smoke,” leaving fans and the general public in shock.

However, on Monday, November 20th, he cleared the air and revealed that the “smoke” part of his statement was the key in unveiling his latest “smoke-free” endorsement deal.

I have an announcement. I’m giving up “smoke.”

Last week Snoop Dogg posted to his socials that he was giving up “smoke.” This is what the rapper really meant by that. Snoop Dogg pulled a fast one on all of us when he declared he was giving up “smoke,” posting,

“After much consideration and discussion with my family, I’ve decided to give up ‘smoke.’ A lot of fans were confused by the announcement that seemed to come out of nowhere but now we know what the Doggfather is up to.

He cleared the air, revealing he’s giving up smoke in his outdoor stove as part of his latest endorsement deal with Solo Stove fire pit company. The limited edition collab with Snoop features a $350 Snoop Stove featuring the rapper’s logo signature and a pair of dog paws emblazoned on the side as well as a bucket hat and sticker pack.

Taylor is requesting privacy for the sake of their children and family.

Teyana Taylor isn’t one to play with when it comes to her family’s privacy. The retired musician released an official statement addressing reports of her impending divorce from Iman Shumpert.

“I mind my business, don’t bother nobody & y’all know I’ve never played about my children, family, & our privacy,” wrote the 32-year-old on Instagram. “I have not spoken on this private matter to any media outlets or blogs etc. So everyone claiming ‘Teyana said’

Teyana Taylor Breaks Silence, Addresses Divorce Rumors For “First and Last Time”

didn’t get any statements directly from ME.” Taylor added, “It is very heartbreaking that someone would take the time to make such a private matter public for the world to see. However, protecting my family is one thing I’ve ALWAYS done & for my children, I will continue to do. Please if y’all love y’all play nieces, Junie & Rue, like y’all have shown, please allow myself & my family some privacy to resolve this matter in peace.

Love y’all.”

Nicki Minaj Tops Doja Cat & Ice Spice To Be Named Female Rap Artist of the Year ‘Last Time I Saw You’ hitmaker Nicki Minaj last saw her name printed at #3 behind Latto and Doja Cat on Billboard’s Year-End Top Rap Artists (Female) chart, thanks to her 2022 hits ‘Super Freaky Girl,’ ‘Do We Have a Problem?,‘ and others. Just days after learning she captured the Top Female Rap Artist trophy at the Billboard Music Awards for the first time in her career (November 19), Nicki found out her name was printed atop Billboard’s year-end list in the Top Female Rap category ahead of Doja Cat, Ice Spice, Coi Leray, and Cardi B. Based mostly on the top 10 successes of her Spice-assisted singles ‘Princess Diana’ and ‘Barbie World’ as well as the Hot 100 hits ‘Last Time I Saw You,’ ‘Alone (with Kim Petras),’ ‘Pound Town 2 (with Sexyy Red),’ and more, the Nicki news is particularly impressive as she did not drop a body of work this year (unlike Doja, Ice, and Coi respectively).

Among all genres, Minaj finished the year

Rapper Nicki Minaj

at #9 on the Top Female Artists list bested only by Cat and Spice (whose activity on Rap, Pop, R&B charts helped them score higher on the overall list) as well as Karol G, Beyonce, SZA, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift.

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Rap legend Snoop Dogg

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Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

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This week in History Presidential proclamation American for Thanksgiving as a author Louisa May National Holiday in the US Alcott was born November 26 In his first presidential p r o c l a m a t i o n , G e o rg e Washington designated November 26, 1789 as a Day of National Thanksgiving. The next president to issue a Thanksgiving Proclamation was Abraham Lincoln, who in 1863, also designated November 26. In October of his third year in office, Lincoln invited Americans to “set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise.”

The Presidential decree read “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving

November 29 Louisa May Alcott (born November 29, 1832, Her education was largely Germantown, Pennsylvania, under the direction of her father, U.S is an American author for a time at his innovative known for her children’s Temple School in Boston and, books, especially the classic later, at home.

Little Women (1868–69).

Alcott realized early that A daughter of the her father was too impractical transcendentalist Bronson to provide for his wife and Alcott, Louisa spent most of four daughters; after the her life in Boston and failure of Fruitlands, a utopian Concord, Massachusetts, community that he had founded, Louisa where she grew up in the Louisa Alcott’s lifelong concern for May Alcott company of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the welfare of her family began. She Theodore Parker, and Henry David taught briefly, worked as a domestic, and Thoreau. finally began to write.

A traditional Thanksgiving gathering

Queen Latifah release her debut album, ‘All Hail the Queen’ and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

“Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”

Miss Jamaica copped the Miss World title for the third time November 27 On this day in Jamaican history: On November 27th, 1993 Jamaica’s Lisa Hanna was crowned the 43rd Miss World. She became the third Jamaican to win the title.

Lisa Rene Shanti Hanna is a Jamaican politician and beauty queen who was crowned Miss World 1993. A member of the opposition People’s National Party, Hanna currently serves as Member of Parliament for Saint Ann South East, and was Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture from 2012–2016.

Hanna was a candidate in the 2020 People’s National Party leadership election, following the PNP’s defeat at the 2020 Jamaican general election and the subsequent resignation of PNP President and Opposition Leader, Peter Phillips. Hanna was defeated by Mark Golding.

She was educated at the Queen’s School, Jamaica, where she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Development Programme, and has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Communications from the University of the West Indies In the 2007 general election, as a member of the People’s National Party, Hanna contested and won the seat for St. Ann South East.

Hence, positioning her as a Member of Parliament for that Constituency.[7] She is one of the youngest women to be elected to the Jamaican Parliament.[8] In addition to her

Miss World 1993, Lisa Hanna duties as constituency representative she served as opposition spokesperson on Information, Youth and Culture up to December 2011.[9] In the 29 December 2011 polls her party was elected into power. She was subsequently appointed as Minister of Youth and Culture.

November 28 Queen Latifah, an American musician and actress whose success in the late 1980s launched a wave of female rappers and helped redefine the traditionally male genre.

She later became a notable actress.

Owens was given the nickname Latifah (Arabic for “delicate” or “sensitive”) as a child and later adopted the moniker Queen Latifah.

Propelled by diverse styles—including soul, reggae, and dance—and feminist themes, it earned positive reviews and attracted a wide audience.

Soon after, Queen Latifah founded her own management company. At age 19, on November 28, 1989, her debut album, All Hail the Queen, and its success helped redefine the traditionally male genre of rap Her second album, Nature of a Sista (1991),

however, failed to match the sales of her previous effort, and Tommy Boy did not resign her. After signing with Motown Records, she

American Rapper, Queen Latifah

released Black Reign in 1993. The album was a critical and commercial success, and the single “U.N.I.T.Y.,” which decried sexism and violence against women, earned a Grammy

Award.

In 1991 Queen Latifah made her big-screen debut in Jungle Fever, and after several television appearances she was signed in 1993 to costar in the series Living Single. Her commanding screen presence brought roles in more movies, including The Bone Collector (1999) and Brown Sugar (2002).

In 1999 she began a two-year stint of hosting her own daytime talk show, and that year she published Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman (written with Karen Hunter).

Q u e e n L a t i f a h ’s prominence in Hollywood was cemented in 2003, when she received an A c a d e m y Aw a r d nomination (best supporting actress) for her portrayal of Matron Mama Morton in the big-screen adaptation (2002) of the stage musical Chicago.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

g tin s... s re re e t In eatu Cr

Giant Clams

National Geographic- Giant Clams are bottom dwelling creatures that make their home in the warm waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans and are the largest mollusks on Earth.

These animals are capable of reaching 4 feet in length and weighing more than 500 pounds.

Another interesting fact is that a giant clam only has one chance to find a nice home.

Once it fastens itself to a spot on a reef, there it sits for the rest of its life.

Diet Giant clams achieve their enormous proportions by consuming the sugars and proteins produced by the billions of algae that live in their tissues. In exchange, they offer the algae a safe home and regular access to sunlight for photosynthesis, basking by day below the water’s surface with their fluted shells open and their multi-colored mantles exposed.

They also use a siphon to draw in water to

filter and consume passing plankton.

“Man-Eater” Myths Giant clams have a wildly undeserved reputation as man-eaters, with South Pacific legends describing clams that lie in wait to trap unsuspecting swimmers or swallow them whole.

No account of a human death by giant clam has ever been substantiated, and scientists say its adductor muscles, used to close the shell, move far too slowly to take a swimmer by surprise. Even the largest specimen would simply retreat into its shell rather than attempt to sample human prey.

Threats to Survival The adductor muscle of the giant clam is actually considered a delicacy, and overharvesting of the species for food, shells, and the aquarium trade have landed it on at least one group’s “vulnerable” list.

Source of Information: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animal s/invertebrates/facts/giant-clam

PAGE 31 The Giant Clam

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Beenie Man Earns His First Gold Certification in The US (Dancehall Mag)

B

eenie Man‘s Who Am I, produced by Jeremy Harding on the Playground riddim, is now certified Gold in the United States, over 26 years after its release. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Who Am I was certified Gold on Wednesday (November 15) after it reached the sales and streaming equivalent of 500,000 units sold in the US. Better known by its catchy chorus “Sim Simma,” the song essentially launched Beenie on his prolific, Grammy Awardwinning trajectory when it was released in 1997. It appeared on his Many Moods Of Moses album, released that year under VP Records.

Chris Chin, the president of VP, lauded Who Am I‘s enduring influence in Dancehall and pop culture, including the star-studded celebrity #SimmaChallenge, which went viral on Beenie’s 51st birthday this year.

“The song has taken on a life of its own over the years,” Chin told DancehallMag on Friday.

“It’s a defining record in dancehall and pop culture, and Beenie Man’s genius shines through every time the song is sampled and interpolated. We’re very pleased with this latest achievement for him and Jeremy Harding.”

The song’s widespread impact is evident in its influence on other artists.

American rapper Redman sampled Who Am I’s first line on his 1998 single I’ll Bee Dat: “Sim Simma, who got the keys to my Beemer?” while rapper Nelly also alluded to the earworm chorus on his 2000 single Country Grammar: “Keys to my Beemer, man, holla at Beenie Man.” According to Whosampled, Who Am I and its underlying riddim have been sampled in over 30 other tunes, including recent releases like Joyner Lucas’ Zim Zimma and Mahalia and Burna Boy’s Simmer.

For Beenie Man and Harding, the certification marks a significant milestone in their careers, as it is their first song to achieve Gold status in the US.

Harding reflected on the song’s groundbreaking nature, its role in Beenie Man’s ascent to “King of the Dancehall,” and its testament to the enduring power of quality Dancehall music.

“When Who Am I was originally released, it was a groundbreaking record which launched my career as a record producer and furthered Beenie Man’s career and took him to the heights of being the King of Dancehall. And eventually, landing him his major label record deal,” Harding told DancehallMag. “To have it now certified Gold, it really stands to the testament of the power of this record and the power of good Dancehall music.”

He continued: “It’s a milestone achievement for which I celebrate heartily and I welcome and I’m sure Beenie Man does the same.

On behalf of all the Dancehall community, and everybody in Jamaica who’s making music, I really hope it will help to shine as a beacon of success to show what is possible with hardcore, original Jamaican Dancehall music. No matter how long it takes.”

The producer also touched upon the song’s timeless nature. “The fact that this song is still relevant to today’s youth market as well is also something which is quite fascinating, because we always hope to make timeless music as artists and as creators. This record just proves that it’s possible to make timeless Jamaican music. I hope it continues to impact the world.”

The Making of ‘Who Am I’ And How It Achieved Global Success In 1997, those who had heard Who Am I before its release took issue with the tricky lines “how could I make love to a fellow? / In a rush, pass me the keys to my truck”.

However, even though he had the chance to change the lyrics, Beenie saw the controversy as a selling point.

“When me voice Sim Simma, the artist them come inna the yard and start pass remarks bout the ‘how can I’.

From there so me a say controversy sell, because me and Jeremy there all morning and we no hear da part deh,” Beenie Man told The

Gleaner. “All of a sudden de artiste dem come now, them start hear parts whe no fe inna de song.”

“Me say Jeremy, if we change it, it a go look obvious say we a say we make love to fellow, which we do not. So ‘how can I make love to a fellow in a rush?‘ – leave it right there.

‘Pass me the keys to my truck/who am I, the girls them luck?/And I and I will make love to Precious‘,” Beenie Man explained.

“Any man whe no get dat don’t get it.”

Besides his typical defiance, the Romie deejay’s decision was likely influenced by his difficulty securing the song. Beenie Man was a fan of Harding’s Playground Riddim, which was burning up the airwaves

in ‘97 with Sean Paul’s bedroom banger Infiltrate and Mr. Vegas‘ singjay styledebut Nike Air leading the charge.

The nascent deejay was eager to voice on the popular riddim and began readying his “based on a true story” bars for his big break.

“I came to Jamaica, have a brand new BMW and mi hear a rhythm weh mi like so mi start sing bout mi car and then things start go different,” he said.

“The problem is I couldn’t find the key in the morning. My brother’s name is Simma, ‘Sim Simma, who’s got the keys to my Bimma?’… Dem couldn’t find it so mi drive the truck, ‘In a rush, pass mi di keys to my truck’,” Beenie Man said.

Dancehall artiste Beenie Man

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Girl, 7, is youngest GPHC patient to benefit from transplant surgery

(Seated 2nd from left) The seven year old transplant patient surrounded by her parents, medical team of GPHC and the Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

H

aving children is t h e m o s t wonderful gift that a married couple can receive. For Haimdat and Angelique Soamnauth, it took nine years and multiple tries before they were able to conceive. Seven years ago, they were blessed with a bouncing baby girl who they named Angelica for being the light at the end of their dark tunnel.

However, six months after she came into the world, their baby was diagnosed with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Her parents knew then, that she may never have a normal life or have the same experiences that other children her age would have.

At the age of one, the child joined the pediatric clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). In 2022, the parents discovered that their daughter was almost in end stage renal failure and decided to seek alternative options to keep her alive.

The family was facing some discouraging facts , Angelica was in dire need of a kidney and even though she was on the donor list, chances were slim. Even if she did get a kidney, there was still the question of it being a match. Once matched, there was still a chance of rejection post surgery.

It came to the point where her father decided to give her one of his kidneys.

At the point where discussions were being held with the medical teams to facilitate the surgery, another hurdle presented itself.

Patients for this surgery had to be at a minimum of 20kg, Angelica was 17kg.

Due to her small stature and being underweight she had to be as healthy as possible to be able to undergo the surgery and undergoing dialysis for a time helped her.

When it came time for the surgery, though initially concerns arose, surgery went well and she pulled through.

Post surgery recovery is going incredibly for her and the team who were a part of the operation dubbed her a “little miracle.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of the GPHC, Robbie Rambarran accredited the success of the operation to a multidisciplinary approach by the team at pediatrics, anesthesia and as well as transplant and vascular team.

Speaking to the media about the successful transplant on Friday, the CEO said the operation is a testament and commitment of the staff at the Georgetown Hospital. He noted that the seven years old is the youngest patient to benefit from transplant

surgery.

“We had a 13 year-old several years ago but she is now the youngest like I said seven years old.”

The CEO also thanked the President Irfaan Ali for his intervention, and the Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony for his leadership “Because of their timely intervention… we were able to achieve this great success story of renewing the life of this little baby here,” Rambarran added.

T h e g i r l ’s f a t h e r , Haimdat said “Going into the surgery you know the complications …but the objective was to be here where we are today. We tried to focus on the positive, which is getting her healthy.

“A transplant is a transplant but for her, it’s a new normal life because she has not been in school. We tried to do home schooling, but we are just trying to give her a normal life, that’s the objective,” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of GPHC’s Transplant and Va s c u l a r D e p a r t m e n t , Kishore Persaud said “This surgery marks a historic achievement in the medical landscape of Guyana.

We have achieved what many deemed impossible.

The first pediatric transplant at this age and size of our country. She is seven years old and weighs only 17 kilograms.

I am happy to inform you

that the team for this transplant is a collaboration between all departments is 99.9% local Guyanese and this is a testament to our locally trained program here in Guyana.

He continued “In a nation

with limited resources and specialties some doubted our capabilities yet we are here making a mark not just nationally but I wish to inform you that she is possibly amongst the youngest in the Caribbean to

undergo such a successful kidney transplantation this is a testament to the power of collaboration and the unwavering spirit within the walls of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.”

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Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Dashes Back Onto Billboard Hot 100

Singer Mariah Carey and her twins accept the special billboard ward on November 19 The No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs chart leads the way again in ringing in the season.

Carey’s carol re-enters the Hot 100 at No. 17 with 14 million official streams (up 29%), 7.6 million radio airplay audience

impressions (up 333%) and 1,500 sold (up 7%) in the U.S. in the Nov. 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate. The song, originally released in 1994, hit the Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time in December 2017. In December 2019, it ascended to the summit at

last, for three weeks that holiday season. It became the second holiday song ever to reign, after “The Chipmunk Song,” by The Chipmunks with David Seville, spent four weeks at No. 1 beginning in December 1958.

“Christmas” led the Hot 100

for two more weeks in the 2020 holiday season, thus, passing “The Chipmunk Song” for the most for a Yuletide song, and for three more weeks over the 2021 holidays and a singleseason-best four frames during the 2022 season, upping its total to 12 weeks

at No. 1.

“When I wrote [it], I had absolutely no idea the impact the song would eventually have worldwide,” Carey marveled of “Christmas” in 2021. “I’m so full of gratitude that so many people enjoy it with me every year.”

With its 2019 coronation, Carey claimed her 19th Hot 100 No. 1, extending her mark for the most among soloists and moving to within one of The Beatles’ overall record 20.

Plus, when “Christmas” dominated the Hot 100 dated Jan. 4, 2020, Carey became the first artist to have ranked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in four distinct decades (the 1990s, 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s).

The song has also helped Carey claim the longest span of any soloist topping the Hot 100 – 32 years and five months, dating to her first week atop the chart dated Aug. 4, 1990, with her debut single “Vision of Love” – and swell her total to 91 weeks at No. 1 among all her leaders, the most of any act.

Carey performed “Christmas” on an awards show for the first time as part of the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (Nov. 19).

She was also honored with the Billboard Chart Achievement Award for the song, presented to her by her 12-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan. “Billboard has been an integral part of my life for a very long time now,” Carey said in her acceptance speech. “Even though I don’t acknowledge time, I kind of have to admit that some of my most memorable times in my career are connected to Billboard and the BBMAs. One thing I really have to say that I’m really grateful for is the fact that my fans have been here with me through the hits, through the misses, the No. 1s and the Bubbling Unders.”

Below “Christmas,” three other holiday classics make annual resurgences on the Hot 100, led by Wham!’s “Last Christmas” at No. 32 (11.3 million streams, up 41%).

Taylor Swift dominates Jack Harlow’s ‘Lovin on Me’ Jumps to No. 4 on TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart | Billboard News the Billboard 200 albums Mitski continues to reign over the charts with her track “My Love Mine All Mine,” while Jack Harlow breaks into the chart’s top five with his song “Lovin on Me.” Mitski’s “My Love Mine All Mine” ranks atop the TikTok Billboard Top 50 yet again, while Jack Harlow’s viral hit “Lovin on Me” makes a major move.

Mitski’s “My Love Mine All Mine” is unstoppable, appearing at No. 1 for the second straight week and fifth overall on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 posted Nov. 22. Lil Mabu and Chrisean Rock’s “Mr. Take Your B-tch” remains in the No. 2 spot, while Kanye West’s “Runaway” featuring

Pusha T jumps into the ranking at No. 3, thanks to an upload showing when Ye changed the lyrics of the song to address his divorce from Kim Kardashian.

Jack Harlow’s viral hit “Lovin on Me” jumps from No. 23 to No. 4 as users center on the opening lyric of “I’m vanilla, baby” and referencing so-called “vanilla men.”

Rounding out the top five is Mariah Carey’s classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” as users get pumped for the holiday season.

E v e r y T h u r s d a y, Billboard will bring you the verified list of the hottest s o n g s o n T i k To k b y monitoring music discovery

and Billboard Hot 100 songs charts this year.

Musician: Josh Harlow

and engagement on the platform in the United States. To find the TikTok Billboard Top 50 each week

users can simply go to any sound detail page and tap the top right button to access the charts page.

Taylor Swift is the top artist in many hearts, and now, the singer claims the highest position on our 2023 year-end Top Artists chart.

Taylor was previously the year-end top artist in 2015 and 2009, making her the first act to finish as the yearend No. 1 artist at least once in three different decades.

She’s also ranked in the top 10 on the chart in 14 of the last 16 years.

During the 2023 chart year, Taylor logged 13 albums on the weekly Billboard 200 chart, including two that spent time

Taylor Swift on No. 1: Midnights and S p e a k N o w ( Ta y l o r ’s Version). She also had 44 songs on the Hot 100 chart, a very well-deserved honor.

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CONSUMER CONCERNS

GUYANA’S TERRITORY REMAINS AS IT ALWAYS WAS

By Pat Dial At the beginning of the 1960’s it became public knowledge that Britain was committed to giving her Caribbean colonies their Independence. Venezuela , actuated by Cold War considerations that Guyana would become another Cuba with a Socialist government and also because she had some concerns about the validity of the 1899 Award opposed the granting of Independence. This opposition to Guyana’s Independence was a betrayal of the life and philosophy of Simon Bolivar who had struggled for the Independence and self determination of all South American nations.

Independence could however not be delayed because the selfdetermination principle had become part of International Law. To resolve Venezuela’s new found dispute over the validity of the Arbitral Tribunal Award, the Geneva Agreement of 1966 was arrived at and this lifted Venezuela’s opposition and allowed Guyana to be granted Independence and provided a forum under the Geneva Agreement for the parties to resolve the dispute among themselves. If they were unable to resolve the dispute between themselves, it would fall to the Secretary General of the United Nations to determine the means by which the dispute would be finally settled.

By 1970 it was clear that the dispute could not be resolved under the Geneva Agreement but instead of immediately referring it to the UN Secretary General, the parties, Venezuela and Guyana, decided to use the Good Offices methodology which went on for nearly three decades without result and eventually both parties decided to abandon it. It should be observed that during the years of the Good Offices, Venezuela would sporadically erupt into serious threats with sabre rattling on Guyana.

Guyana, as had been specified in the Geneva Agreement referred the dispute to the UN Secretary General who advised the Parties to have recourse to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which Guyana did. Venezuela, on the other hand, claimed that the UN Secretary General and the ICJ had no authority to be involved in the dispute but their opposition and contentions were

disallowed.

The ICJ is expected to hear the substantive case within a year.

The situation has ballooned into very d an g er o u s p r o p o r tio n s where the very existence of Guyana as a state is threatened: (i) The military/political lobby in Venezuela who have always greedily felt that they should seize Guyana’s territory are sharpened in their greed now that Guyana has become an oil-rich country. (ii) There are elements in the Venezuelan government who feel that the ICJ’s decision will go in Guyana’s favour and that they should take lawless pre-emptive action. (iii) The Venezuelan government has failed in its social, economic and political policies resulting in 7 million economic migrants fleeing the country and as a result will lose the approaching Elections. It is felt that by militarily attacking Guyana, an oil producing country and seizing its territory the government would be able to rouse up Nationalism and win electoral support. These interests have manifested themselves in five motions being brought to the Venezuelan Parliament which would in effect direct Venezuela to seize 70% of Guyana’s territory and immediately absorb it into Venezuela and deploy its army to invade Guyana.

Guyana, as a state, would cease to exist.

To meet these dangerous threats, Guyana has been taking counter action, mostly of a diplomatic nature and is committed to a mandate that Venezuela should not be allowed to covet one square inch of its territory.

It is apposite to now review Guyana /Venezuela relations from the 19th century to the present with f o c u s o n Tr i b u n a l o f Arbitration and its Award of

1899 which is the core of the dispute between Venezuela and Guyana:There is one part of South America the Spanish conquistadors did not visit and that is the “Wild Coast of Guiana” - the territory between the Orinoco and the Essequibo rivers. This area was occupied by the Dutch in the 17th century and their ownership was recognized by the Treaty of Munster in 1648.

The Dutch kept developing this region, especially Essequibo. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, by the Peace of Paris in 1814, the Dutch ceded Essequibo Demerara and Berbice to the British while they kept Suriname.

In 1831, the British unified Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice into British Guiana and in 1840 they engaged the German geographer Robert Schomburgk to demarcate the colony’s boundaries.

Venezuela, at this time, had gained its independence from Spain and began to think of possessing the territory beyond the mouth of the Orinoco and as the century progressed Venezuela secured an ally in the USA since the US government in the last decade of the 19th century had revived the Munroe Doctrine which it was using to become the paramount power of the Americas.

By the Munroe Doctrine, America would resist any European power owning new colonies in the continent.

Venezuela complained that the British were making a new colony and the anti-British President of the US Cleveland took up Venezuela’s case and forced the British to negotiate.

Britain and the US agreed to have the claim arbitrated and Venezuela insisted that the Arbitration be Treaty-based.

As Venezuela desired, the Arbitration of the Treaty of Washington of 1897 was

Treaty based and Article XIII reads “The High Contracting Parties engage to consider the result of the proceedings of the Tribunal of Arbitration as a full, perfect and final settlement of all the questions referred to the Arbitrators.

This Treaty of Washington was signed by Senor Jose Andrade on behalf of the President of Venezuela and was ratified by the Venezuelan Congress when its President Joaquin Crespo commended the Treaty as “an effort of intelligence and goodwill worthy of praises and thanks from us”.

Venezuela appointed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States as its member of the Tribunal and the other three members were equally distinguished American and British lawyers and Chairman of the Tribunal was F. de Martens, a world famous Russian International lawyer.

The Tribunal consisted of the most renowned lawyers of the time. The Archives of Spain, Holland and Britain were searched for all relevant documentation and these were later published in several large volumes of the proceedings. The National

Archives have copies of these proceedings.

T h e Aw a r d o f t h e Tribunal was unanimous and was presented by the Chairman on 3rd October, 1899. Venezuela received as much as seven times more territory than Britain.

There was much rejoicing in Caracas and postage stamps were issued commemorating the “victory” and the Venezuelan Ambassador to Britain described the Award as “Greatly indeed, did justice shine forth’.

As late as 1949 the Law firm which represented Venezuela wrote in the American Journal of International Law: “The Aw a r d s e c u r e d t o Venezuela the mouth of the Orinoco and control of the Orinoco basin, these being the most important questions at issue”.

Venezuela insisted that the boundary be demarcated as early as possible and a joint Commission of Venezuelan: and British surveyors demarcated the boundary in accordance with the Award of the Tribunal (1900- 1905).

In 1931 Venezuela, Brazil and British Guiana marked out the trijunction boundary point on the summit of Mount Roraima and

reaffirmed the border. The story of the Arbitral Tribunal and the demarcation of the G u y a n a / Ve n e z u e l a boundary dovetails into the first segment.

Four points to note for those further studying the dispute: (i) More on the various a s p e c t s o f Guyana/Venezuela relations could be found on Ministry of Foreign Affairs online sites and written material from the Ministry (ii) In the Venezuelan narratives, they always try to omit or disguise their role in the Treaty of Washington, involvement in the Tribunal, demarcating the boundaries and their full and unequivocal acceptance of the Award. (iii) In the Venezuelan narratives they sometimes give misleading or false statements e.g. that Exxon pays Guyana legal fees at ICJ (iv) There is call in some circles that Guyana should abandon the ICJ and engage in talks with President Maduro.

It is because of failure of talks in the Good Offices methodology and Venezuela’s eruptions into threats and hostility during these talks that the ICJ is now adjudicating the issue.

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Sunday November 26, 2023

GNBS IN FOCUS

GET THE BANG FOR YOUR DOLLAR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON-BUY QUALITY!!

W

ith just a month from Christmas, consumers are already taking advantage of the deals being rolled out by businesses. For some households, this holiday season is a time to do renovations and replace defective and worn furniture and electrical appliances with new and updated ones.

These shopping ventures are generally expensive, and to ensure consumers receive value for money in the long term, it is important for them

to purchase quality products that meet their needs.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) monitors the quality of seventeen (17) categories of products including household electrical appliances and furniture imported and manufactured locally, to ensure that they comply with labelling and quality requirements outlined in National Standards.

Throughout the year, GNBS inspectors carried out a total of 8,263 inspections at

the ports of entry, sales outlets and at warehouses for importers, dealers and manufacturers.

Of this total, 762 were furniture inspections and 1680 were electrical appliances inspections.

When considering the purchase of electrical appliances, whether it’s the gleaming new refrigerator for your holiday cold storage needs or the latest entertainment gadgets, it is important that you pay attention to the labels.

Labels of electrical appliances offer guidance for use in relations to voltage, wattage and more.

During the season, inspectors of the GNBS will intensify product examination at sale outlets to ensure electric stoves and cookers, televisions, mini music systems, blenders and food processors, toasters, microwaves, fans and other items meet requirements.

The goal is to ascertain

compliance with National Standards, ensuring these appliances not only meet safety criteria but also provide optimal performance.

Furthermore, appliances that pass the stringent quality tests bear Certification Marks such as UL, CE, CSA, NOM which indicate that they were tested and are of a c c e p t a b l e q u a l i t y.

Consumers are urged to also check for these certification marks.

As the season inspires a desire for home upgrades, GNBS will continue to actively monitor furniture to ensure they are appropriately labeled and durably built for use.

The Code of Practice for the manufacture of furniture outlines requirements for the materials, construction, workmanship and finish employed in the manufacture of furniture such as upholstered, built-in and crafted furniture.

Consumers investing in furniture for the holiday or refreshing their living space sought to empower themselves with information to select and purchase quality pieces.

Meanwhile, the labelling standard for furniture GYS 9-5:2003 offers specific requirements to manufacturers and guidance to users. It states that furniture should be labelled with a common name or type of item; mark/code to distinguish the manufacturer and the country of origin (for imported furniture).

Labelling must also include information on the predominant material from which the item is made (wood, metal or plastic), the type of finish (lacquer, varnish, paint) and precautionary note for care to ensure that the items last longer.

As you embark on your holiday shopping journey, consider the added gift of

confidence that comes with the purchase of quality products.

With over 500 businesses registered for this year to import and sell products monitored by the GNBS, inspectors will continue to be vigilant in its monitoring during the busy shopping season to protect consumers.

Finally, it is imperative that consumers begin to recognise the relevance of standards and the role GNBS plays in ensuring that they get product information and the quality they deserve, as shopping increases during the remainder of the year.

Look out for more shopping tips from the GNBS which will help you to select safe and reliable products this holiday season.

For further information on this subject, please contact the GNBS on Telephone Numbers: 2190064- 66, WhatsApp 692GNBS (4627) or follow us on Facebook #GNBSGY

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

Greg the Turtle has one big question on his mind... can turtles have Christmas?

Greg got up that morning the same as always.

He looked around his room with its tall, clear walls and went to get a drink from his dish. As he shook off the last bits of sleep, he looked out his walls to see what the people were doing. They were putting decorations all over the house. Big red and green things that Greg didn't understand. A lot of them seemed to show a big fat guy in red pyjamas and a white beard. Molly was asking her big sister, Mabel, a lot of questions.

“Is he really going to come tomorrow night?”

“Of course, he is. You wrote him a letter, didn't you?”

“Yes, but are you sure he read it?”

“I told you, Molly. Santa visits everyone who writes him a letter.”

“But how does he do it all in one night?”

“Magic, of course. I don't know exactly how it works, but I think he can freeze time or something.”

“Wow!” There were a lot of words that Greg had never heard before. Santa. Christmas. Rudolph.

Some King or other called Nat. It was all very confusing to Greg. Luckily, later that day, Molly reached into Greg's room and picked him up to show him something.

“Look how beautiful our tree is, Greg.”

Greg looked and saw a large evergreen tree inside the house covered in coloured lights and other ornaments. He had to admit it was beautiful, but he didn't exactly know what it was for.

“And tomorrow night, Santa's going to come and leave us presents for Christmas. And I asked him to bring something for you, too. Even though I don't know what turtles want for Christmas. Well, I'd better put you back. I must go help Mommy in the kitchen.”

It was a very confused turtle whom Molly returned to his room a moment later. Christmas?

What's Christmas? And who is this Santa who's supposed to bring me something? It was very overwhelming. But that night, many of his questions were answered. His room happened to be in such a place that it faced the TV so when the girls watched a movie called “A Christmas Carol” he learned a lot about this Christmas business.

Evidently, Greg concluded, it's a holiday that happens in the winter where everyone gets together and eats and drinks and has lots of fun and gives each other presents. It sounded nice, but it still left Greg with one burning question: Do turtles have Christmas?

The holiday, it seemed, had something to do with a little baby called…something with a “J”, he couldn't remember. But the impression that Greg got was that this “Christmas” was this baby's birthday. Did you have to know the baby to celebrate? Are turtles allowed to celebrate? It seemed to have a lot to do with presents. Was it still Christmas if you didn't get a present? Or give one?

Greg spent much of the night pondering these questions and the next day (which Molly said was called “Christmas Eve”), the girls watched some more movies and shows which told Greg a little more about the holiday. This Santa fellow lives at the North Pole and on Christmas Eve (that's tonight! he thought with some excitement) he flies in a

RY

OET FUN WITH P

magic sleigh pulled by eight flying reindeer and delivers gifts to all the good little boys and girls and…

His heart sank. Boys and girls. Not turtles. He was a boy turtle, sure, but he had the clear impression that this is not what they meant. Oh well, he thought, as he watched another show about a snowman with a special hat. No Christmas for me.

That night, Greg was awakened by a strange sound. A sort of “THUD” as if something had landed on the roof. Greg was frightened. If it was burglars, he was ill-equipped to do anything about it except hope and pray that turtles were not valuable on the black market. But then he heard another sound: Bells! Very small bells! He remembered from his TV research that Santa's sleigh had bells on and often landed on rooftops. Am I going to get to see Santa Claus?

He did! Santa came down the chimney and set about his work. Putting packages under the tree, eating milk and cookies, filling the stockings. Greg watched him, transfixed. The bright smile, the red suit, the white beard. He's just the way I thought he'd be, said Greg to himself. I may not get any presents, but it's enough to get to see him!

And then, just as Santa was about to leave, he turned his head in the direction of Greg's room. He looked at the turtle and smiled.

“Well, hello there, Greg!” he said as he walked over to him.

“You don't remember me, do you? Well, you wouldn't, I guess. You were so very small when I brought you here. You see, you were Molly's Christmas present last year. And she asked me to make sure you got a present this year. Don't look so surprised,” said Santa, kindly at Greg's reaction.

“Didn't you know? Christmas is for everyone. And you'll get a present, too…but only if you go right to sleep! Now, now, rules are rules. If you want your present, you'll just have to wait till morning.”

Greg shut his eyes obediently and tried to fall asleep.

“That's better. Now don't open them till tomorrow. And Merry Christmas, Greg.”

He heard Santa place something inside his room and creep away. In another moment he heard the sleighbells, the muffled cry of Santa and then…nothing. Santa was gone. It was tempting, but Greg kept his eyes shut until he fell asleep.

“Merry Christmas!” Greg woke to the joyous cry of Molly and Mabel as they ran downstairs for their presents. Their parents followed, somewhat less enthusiastically, but still all smiles. Greg watched through the walls of his room as the girls opened their presents and showed them off for their parents. It was a wonderful scene and Greg was very happy to have seen it.

“Look,” said Molly, suddenly. “Santa left something for Greg, too.” Greg had almost forgotten. With the great effort that it took for him to move at all, Greg turned around and saw…a great big head of lettuce! And it was all for him. As Greg began to munch on the crisp green leaves, he thought of what Santa had said to him before he left.

“Merry Christmas, Santa,” he thought. “And thank you for the best Christmas I ever had.”

THE END

Good morning, God Good morning, God, and thank you For the glory of the sun, And thank you for the health I have, To get my duties done.

I shall devote the hours Of this golden day to You, By honouring Your holy name In everything I do.

I shall pursue my daily tasks Without complaint or fear, And spend my every effort To be friendly and sincere.

Once more, good morning, God, And please depend on me, Because I want to honour you For all eternity.

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Junior page Christmas Tree Garland This festive holiday garland is designed by crafter extraordinaire Audrey Burk. Intended for kids ages 4 to 12, this project is sure to get your family into the Christmas spirit.

Materials Needed · Cedar clippings · Colourful leaves · Felted pom-pom balls · Hole punch · Hot glue gun and glue sticks · Pencil · School glue · Scissors · Small hedge clippers (to trim twigs) · Star jewels ·Thin cardboard (old cereal boxes) · Thin twigs · Twine Instructions 1. Flatten your cardboard boxes and draw the outline of a Christmas tree. We used a variety of sizes and shapes!

Make as many or as few trees as you'd like depending on how long you want the garland to be.

2. Cut out your Christmas trees. (If you have young kids, do steps 1-2 before involving them.)

3. Head outside with your kids and have them help trim some cedar, gather small twigs, and collect colourful leaves.

4. Make your leaf confetti by cutting out several small circles with a hole punch. (If you don't have access to any colourful leaves, sequins can be substituted!)

5. Bring everything

inside and lay out all the decorating supplies on your workspace.

6. Cover the cardboard trees with a squiggle of glue and layer with cedar.

7.Next, trim your twigs to fit the tree stump and glue them on.

8. Put random dots of glue on top of the cedar and decorate with the pom pom balls, stars, and confetti, then let dry completely.

9. Once the trees are dry, glue them to a strand of twine with a dab of hot glue on the back.

10. Hang up your Christmas tree garland and enjoy!

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TEEN TIME Train your brain to bring out the best from your efforts at improvement of your life Your general attitude towards life has a great impact on the health of your brain. If you are one of those who have a habit of entertaining negative thoughts, this will have a similar effect on how your brain performs, slowing it down and creating depression.

On the other hand, if you normally develop a positive attitude, your optimistic thoughts will produce chemicals that will create a general feeling of well-being, and help to

The rules are pretty simple: The puzzle is filled with Xs, Os, and Is. Horizontally and vertically, there can be no more than 2 of the same symbol touching (no three-in-a-row).

There is an equal number of each symbol in each row and column.

Note: Unlike Binox, there is no row/col uniqueness rule.

This puzzle also features two variants which add additional

keep your brain working at its maximum capacity.

Using your imagination to create positive images of what you want to enrich your life will keep these in the front of your mind, and help you to achieve your positive aims in life. When you are sick, if you have faith that you will get well, this will cause psychological changes in your brain, and help to reduce pain and make your body improve. Focus your beliefs on the positive and this will help your brain to experience more soothing feelings in your body and spirit.

Curb any negative habits you normally have of worrying, as these will deplete your vitality and cause you to feel out of sorts and depressed. If you find yourself at any time entertaining these, start to think positively and this will improve your outlook on life as well and keep your brain energised.

Redirect any negative way in which you speak to yourself and this will give you more energy, keep your mind positive, and even help to maximise the results of what you are trying to learn.

Always be grateful for the good things that happen to you, and your brain will focus on the pleasant experiences in your life, and work to bring these more and more a part of your being.

constraints to the above rules: The DIAGONAL TROIX variety disallows three-in-a-row on all diagonals, in addition to the rows and columns. This substantially increases the difficulty of these puzzles.

The THREEDOKU variety adds Sudoku-like 3x3 boxes, which also must contain an equal number of each symbol.

These are somewhat easier than the Diagonal puzzles, and somewhat

easier than regular Sudoku, I find.

The DIAGONAL THREEDOKU variety combines the above two variations.

The finished puzzle should be filled with Xs, Os, and Is. Rows, columns, and diagonals should never contain three-in-a-row of any one symbol.

Each row and column should contain an equal number of each symbol. There is a unique solution.

Sunday November 26, 2023

Choose to be Happy

by Roy Paul (Uncle Roy) (From the book “Shape up Your Personality” which is soon to be published locally) To every man born on this earth Of whatever strain or level he be, He must bear his share of pain and strife, And struggle to grow and achieve prosperity.

So let not the hardships you suffer Take away from the joys that are your due, In whatever condition you find yourself, Happiness is but yours to choose, We need only to look around; To see so much to make us glad, They are the things we need to do, To glean all the happiness that could be had.

We first must take time to socialize, With our loving family and friends, Giving priority to our mate and kin, And working together to secure our ends.

Celebrating our wins, enjoying our work, Giving service to those with less, Exercise, diet and bodily care Together will keep us blessed.

Then above all we must strive To serve and thank the Lord, Have hope and faith in His good grace, And live according to His word.

Maintaining a positive mentality in all circumstances will keep your brain strong and productive.

Solutions to last week’s

THANKGIVING SCRABLE

Suguru

Sunday November 26, 2023

7 ways to cure your hangover What causes hangovers?

The causes are as varied as the symptoms. Alcohol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a substance that's toxic at high levels.

However, concentrations rarely get that high, so that's not the complete explanation.

Drinking interferes with brain activity during sleep, so a hangover may be a form of sleep deprivation. Alcohol scrambles the hormones that regulate our biological clocks, which may be why a hangover can feel like jet lag, and vice versa. Alcohol can also trigger migraines, so some people may think they're hung over when it's really an alcohol-induced migraine they're suffering.

Hangovers begin after blood alcohol levels start to fall. In fact, according to some experts, the worst symptoms occur when levels reach zero.The key ingredient seems to be "drinking to intoxication"; how much you drank to get there is less important. In fact, several studies suggest that light and moderate drinkers are more vulnerable to getting a hangover than heavy drinkers. Yet there's also seemingly contradictory research showing that people with a family history of alcoholism have worse hangovers.

Protect yourself from the damage of chronic inflammation.

Science has proven that chronic, low-grade inflammation can turn into a silent killer that contributes to cardiovas¬cular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other conditions. Get simple tips to fight inflammation and stay healthy -- from Harvard Medical School experts.

7 hangover remedies Obviously, not drinking any alcohol is the best solution. But if you do drink, here are simple tips to help prevent and relieve the misery.

1. Drinking fluids. Alcohol promotes urination because it inhibits the release of vasopressin, a hormone that decreases the volume of urine made by the kidneys. If your hangover includes diarrhea, sweating, or vomiting, you may be even more dehydrated. Although nausea can make it difficult to get anything down, even just a few sips of water might help your hangover.

2. Getting some carbohydrates into your system. Drinking may lower blood sugar levels, so theoretically some of the fatigue and headaches of a hangover may be from a brain working without enough of its main fuel. Moreover, many people forget to eat when they drink, further lowering their blood sugar. Toast and juice is a way to gently nudge levels back to normal.

3. Avoiding darker-colored alcoholic beverages. Experiments have shown that clear liquors, such as vodka and gin, tend to cause hangovers less frequently than dark ones, such as whiskey, red wine, and tequila. The main form of alcohol in alcoholic beverages is ethanol, but the darker liquors contain chemically related compounds (congeners), including methanol. The same enzymes process ethanol and methanol, but methanol metabolites are especially toxic, so they may cause a worse hangover.

4. Taking a pain reliever — but not Tylenol. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, other brands), and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help with the headache and the overall achy feelings. NSAIDs, though, may irritate a stomach already irritated by alcohol. Don't take acetaminophen (Tylenol): if alcohol is lingering in your system, it may accentuate acetaminophen's toxic effects on the liver.

5. Drinking coffee or tea. Caffeine may not have any special antihangover powers, but as a stimulant, it could help with the grogginess. However, it's important to keep in mind that caffeine and alcohol should never be mixed because the caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, making drinkers feel more alert than they would otherwise.

6. Taking B vitamins and zinc. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Medicine evaluated the diets for 24 hours before and after excessive drinking occurred. It was a small study and results were based on the participants saying what they ate. However, they did find that people whose food and beverage consumption contained greater amounts of zinc and B vitamins had less severe hangovers.

7. Hair of the dog. Drinking to ease the symptoms of a hangover is sometimes called taking the hair of the dog, or hair of the dog that bit you. The notion is that hangovers are a form of alcohol withdrawal, so a drink or two will ease the withdrawal. However, the hair of the dog just perpetuates a cycle. It doesn't allow you to recover.

How to prevent hangovers Hangovers affects individuals differently. For example, the effects of alcohol on a smaller person will usually be greater than on a larger person. These tips may help you prevent having a hangover when drinking alcohol: Drink slowly and on a full stomach.

Drink in moderation.

Women should have no more than 1 drink per day and men no more than 2 drinks per day. One drink is defined as 12 fluid ounces (360 milliliters) of beer that has about 5% alcohol, 5 fluid ounces (150 milliliters) of wine that has about 12% alcohol, or 1 1/2 fluid ounces (45 milliliters) of 80-proof liquor.

Drink a glass of water in between drinks containing alcohol.

This will help you drink less alcohol and decrease dehydration from drinking alcohol.

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From page 16 accountable for they should be telling us what those interest rates are,” the former EPA boss reasoned.

He said an interest rate of 10 percent was mentioned in the public domain; however, this is yet to be confirmed by the government. To this end, the AFC described the interest rate situation as “kitchen table economics” since the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) rakes in a mere

Kaieteur News

percent interest rate. The IMF said the revenue loss could be as high as US$2.6B. Such a practice, the organization said can have a “detrimental impact” on government revenue.

The financial institution was also keen to highlight the uniqueness of the Stabroek Block PSA, in that it allows the recovery of interest as an expense, irrespective of where the financing is sourced from. It

Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram

1.36% in interest but the country could be borrowing loans at an average 10% interest rate.

IMF advice Several international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have warned Guyana about the abuse that can take place when companies are allowed to recover 100 percent of the interest on its investments. In fact, the IMF cautioned in independent reports that Guyana should, as a protective measure, should cap the interest that is allowed for recovery.

In a 2018 report, the IMF said “the treatment of interest expenses in the Stabroek Block PSA is very generous, constituting an important source of possible revenue leakage.” In fact, the IMF said it examined several scenarios which illustrated how “excessive or abusive” oil companies can be in the use of loans to fund oil projects.

The IMF said it examined three scenarios, one of which looked at 75 percent to 100 percent of the development costs for the Liza One and Liza Two Projects in the Stabroek Block being funded by loans with a repayment period over 10 years with a 10

therefore means that instead of using a bank or other traditional sources, ExxonMobil Corporation can provide its subsidiary (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) in the Stabroek Block with loans, charge an interest, and recover same without worry.

Exxon pressured, duped Granger Govt. into signing lopsided deal – Damning UK report reveals …Ram questions Trotman’s omission of this document in latest book In his recent book, “From Destiny to Prosperity” former Natural Resources

Minister, Raphael Trotman made several revelations about the circumstances that led to the signing of the lopsided Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) in 2016.

Trotman revealed, for example, that he did not act alone in signing the highly criticised deal; he acted on instructions from the David Granger-led Cabinet.

Trotman even said he was hesitant to sign the contract,

that the Report reveals that it was Exxon’s representatives that wrote a document for Trotman to take to Cabinet seeking approval for the egregious Stabroek Block PSA. “If the PPP/C truly wanted to see how the 2016 Agreement came about, or wanted to embarrass the members of the Opposition, then the Clyde and Co report is the way to do it,” Ram said in his column. The January

Former President, David Granger

which did not go down well with ExxonMobil’s top brass at the time. He also expressed support for the renegotiation of what is considered by some, the worst deal in Guyana’s history.

However, despite these admissions, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram said Trotman’s book does not mention a probe he had commissioned on the lopsided deal during his time as minister. Ram, in a recent column published by the Stabroek News deemed the absence of any reference to the report done by American law firm Clyde and Co, as “the greatest avoidance of truth” by Trotman. Ram said

2020 Clyde and Co Report states that the British law firm was hired to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances leading to the execution of the Stabroek Block PSA with ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.

The report states: “The Contractor Consortium appears to have put a lot of pressure on the Government and the Ministry of Natural Resources to secure the 2016 Agreement in a short time scale…It seems to us likely that EEPGL (now known as ExxonMobil Guyana) was also strongly driving to have a new agreement signed

Sunday November 26, 2023

prior to the Liza-2 well results becoming fully known and understood by the Government.

Presumably because knowledge of a ‘world class’ discovery could have altered the government’s negotiating position.”

As a recap, Exxon and its partners had announced its first discovery of oil in the Stabroek Block in May 2015. This was at the Liza 1 well. The Liza-2 well was

ministry and Exxon.

The law firm’s report states, “From this analysis, it is clear that the negotiations of the detailed terms of the 2016 Agreement were limited and took place over the period of roughly one month. The Government could have taken a different approach and tried to have extensive negotiations on the terms of the 2016 Agreement, principally to improve the fiscal terms.

Former Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman

intended to help the consortium understand the volume of oil that was available for production in commercial quantities. On February 5, 2016, drilling of Liza-2 commenced in order to further evaluate the Liza-1 well.

But before revealing the true size of the Liza-2 well which found enough oil to be a standalone project, Exxon and partners rushed the previous government to close the deal with generous terms. These included a two percent royalty and a tax-free ride.

Clyde and Co said it was provided with and analyzed, drafts of the 2016 Agreement exchanged between the

However, such an approach was not in the forefront of the Government’s mind.”

Another significant point in the report is that Trotman along with Legal Advisor at the time, Mrs. Joanna Simmons Homer confirmed during their interviews that Exxon was keen to finalise and sign all relevant agreements as quickly as practically possible. “They both mentioned during the course of our interviews that they would receive almost daily phone calls from the Contractor Consortium’s representatives enquiring about the progress in negotiations,” the report stated.

The report further notes that on June 21, 2016, a meeting was held in Guyana, between former President David Granger and government officials, along with Exxon’s former Vice President, Stephen Greenlee and others, to discuss the terms of the new petroleum agreement. On June 27, 2016, the Government and the Contractor Consortium signed the agreement. Three days later, Exxon announced that it had made a massive discovery at the Liza-2 well.

The Clyde and Co report said it was clear that Exxon was (Continued on page 69)

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Sunday November 26, 2023

PAGE 69

ExxonMobil to apply the new model terms to Block S8 – a block in which there is no guarantee oil will be found.

‘Best incentives in Guyana’ – Pres. Ali tells EU investors

President Irfaan Ali during his address to the EU delegation From page 68 pushing for a new agreement prior to its announcement as it feared the “world-class” discovery would have changed the dynamics of the negotiations.

Thursday Failure to increase royalty at Stabroek Block, Guyana lost out on US$872M this year Guyana has lost out on US$872M (GY$181.1B) this year, due to the government’s refusal to apply the new 10 percent royalty rate to the Stabroek Block.

Kaieteur News has shown time and again that applying the new royalty rate which is set for new contracts would significantly increase Guyana’s annual earnings.

For instance, if the royalty f o r E x x o n M o b i l ’s o i l projects was 10% instead of the current 2%, Guyana’s last quarterly royalty payment could have been US$264M. Instead, it was US$52.8M. Guyana has received all four quarterly royalty payments scheduled for 2023; Exxon and its coventurers paid US$218M

(GY$45.5B) to Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF), equating to 2% of the value of annual crude production. Had the royalty rate been 10%, this figure would have been US$1.09B, signifying a lost opportunity for Guyana to earn an additional US$872M due to the PPP/C administration’s reluctance to seek better royalty terms.

Such a significant increase in revenue could immensely benefit Guyana’s e c o n o m y, e s p e c i a l l y considering the vast quantities of oil expected from the Stabroek Block in the future. The government could have leveraged these funds for environmental protection through adaptation and mitigation initiatives. Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has frequently lamented the lack of funds for such purposes due to unfulfilled commitments by developed countries.

The additional US$872M per annum could also cover the repayment of the US$138M loan from China’s EXIM Bank for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) renovation, with a surplus of nearly US$734M. The PPP/C government incurred this

debt, further burdening Guyana financially.

Annually, US$872M could contribute significantly to the country’s development. This sum is sufficient to finance the entire Gas-to-Energy project a t Wa l e s , w h i c h t h e government is building.

Such financial independence would even alleviate the need for Guyana take a begging bowl to the US EXIM Bank for US$646M to finance the project.

The royalties paid into the nation’s NRF were based on oil production levels of under 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) from two projects.

With the Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel now in operation, production is set to rise to 620,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

Exxon’s plans indicate an increase to 1.2 million bpd b y 2 0 2 7 . Wi t h e v e r y increase, there is a proportionate increase in losses. Persisting with a 2% royalty rate for exploiting 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent in the Stabroek Block will result in Guyana forfeiting billions in potential earnings over the P S A’ s l i f e s p a n . T h e government will be negotiating with

President Ali during his visit to border communities in Region One on Thursday

President Irfaan Ali earlier this week told a visiting European business delegation that Guyana offers the “best incentives” for foreign investors.

During a forum at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on Monday, he specifically highlighted lucrative opportunities in healthcare, tourism, and various sectors, urging European companies to explore and capitalise on these prospects.

President Ali u n d e r s c o r e d G u y a n a ’s potential as the world’s premier eco-tourism destination, emphasising the

come to Guyana, you build a facility, the glamping facility, in an Englishspeaking environment (and), you get the greatest incentives you can ever imagine, for investing here and reap the rewards.”

Addressing the potential for bilateral cooperation, President Ali illustrated the economic benefits of partnerships, especially in healthcare.

He outlined scenarios where European hospitals, attracted by incentives, could collaborate with local counterparts to provide specialised services at significantly reduced costs, fostering long-term cooperation and cost savings for both parties. “ T h a t i s w h y governments are important because if a European hospital comes here and invests with a local hospital in providing a specialised service and that country,

collaborate for mutual growth.

He said, “We are here to tell you in a convincing way that the door for our opportunities is open so that it become your opportunities also, do not believe that you need to do it alone.”

President Ali assured the EU delegation that Guyana’s private sector is becoming more sophisticated, presenting immediate opportunities for strategic integration.

“We have been growing our local private sector, our local private sector has been taking up this challenge.

They are becoming far more sophisticated. They’re becoming far more focused and strategic in outlook and they present an immediate opportunity for you to upscale on, if I was in your shoes, I will look at who exists in the market and to see how I can work in upscaling their operations by

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo unparalleled incentives for companies to invest in stateof-the-art facilities.

The head-of-state pointed out the unique advantage of Guyana, coupled with substantial government incentives, making it an opportune time for European investors to participate and reap the rewards. “Let me say to companies here, you will be losing the greatest opportunities to participate in the world best eco-tourism destination if you don’t do it today, mark my words, if you don’t do it today, it will be too expensive for you to do it three years from now, all the incentives you need…”

Ali continued, “You go to Costa Rica to pay US$5000 per night for glamping, beautiful facility between US$2000 to US$5000 per night in a Spanish environment. You

which they have invested in based on incentive mechanism can provide a surgery for $10 that costs $50 in Europe, those governments must then be willing to say we are ready to pay the $10 in that contract for the service. That is what defines bilateral cooperation because the country is saving in its long-term health care rather than paying $50, you’re paying $10.”

Furthermore, President Ali shed light on the evolving landscape of healthcare, highlighting the aggressive recruitment of healthcare personnel from the region by European countries. He emphasised the need to dispel misconceptions.

In conclusion, President Ali welcomed the European delegation, inviting them to capitalize on existing local opportunities and

integrating my operation,” Ali said.

To this end he stated, “If you’re looking to do a private hospital, first examine the local private hospitals, see what they’re doing and then work to see if you can upscale what they’re doing. To me meet the international standard or standard for which your market opportunities are and that brings a shorter lag time from conceptualization to project outcome and project management as much as we reduce the lag time, we are getting faster to results.”

Notably, Guyana offers incentives to foreigners to encourage investment and economic development.

These include tax holidays, duty-free concessions, and other benefits in sectors like mining and other sectors.

Australian company Troy (Continued on page 70)

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PAGE 70

From page 69 Resources received $2.5 billion in tax breaks in Guyana from 2016 to May 2018, excluding additional concessions on fuel and machinery. Meanwhile, Chinese firm Zijin Mining Group, which acquired a major gold mining operation in Guyana, benefits from import waivers for itself and subcontractors due to a contract signed in November 2011 with the original owners, Canada-based Guyana Goldfields.

Friday US defense officials heading to Guyana …as Govt. pushes back against Venezuela’s aggression Two teams from the United States Department of Defence are due here next week as Guyana intensifies its push back against threats from Venezuela that have launched a referendum aimed at getting a mandate

from the US Department of Defence.

Jagdeo announced that, in preparation for potential scenarios, Guyana is exploring various options and actively engaging with allies. He said in addition to the two teams from the United States Department of Defense several other visits have been planned in the m o n t h o f D e c e m b e r.

Emphasizing Guyana’s steadfast pursuit of peace, particularly at its borders, Jagdeo reiterated the government’s dedication to exploring all available measures for national defense. Addressing concerns about potential aggression, VP Jagdeo emphasised, “We are not going to succumb to Venezuela’s bullyism,” clarifying that Guyana is focused on protecting its sovereignty through diplomatic means. He stressed that the ongoing border controversy with Ve n e z u e l a s h o u l d b e resolved peacefully in the

aggression emanating from neighbouring Venezuela.

During the visit to the region on Thursday, the President heard concerns raised by residents over Ve n e z u e l a ’s n a t i o n a l referendum slated for December 3. The referendum is part of a tactic

by Venezuela to lay claim of Guyana’s Essequibo region and eventually annex 2/3 of the country.

However, Ali assured the residents at Kumaka in the Mabaruma sub-district that the government and the armed forces are working diligently to protect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He explained that the government is stepping up its security focus as part of national efforts to guarantee Guyanese are kept safe from any threats. The Head of State told the residents that the Guyana Defence Force is stepping up its monitoring and will benefit from continued training support from international partners

Brazil, and other external partners, including the United States. “In the coming days, weeks, and months, you will see greater collaboration with our international partners,” the Head of State disclosed.

President Ali also reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens. “We are not taking anything for granted…That is why our overall strategy is nothing to be alarmed about.

There is absolutely nothing to fear. We are doing everything in accordance with international guidelines, and we believe that Venezuela will not act recklessly,” he affirmed.

President Ali emphasised the importance of unity in addressing the border controversy, noting that every resident should remain alert during this period. The head of state reiterated Guyana’s commitment to a peaceful resolution, urging Venezuela to adhere to

President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge during his interview on 94.1 FM

from its citizens to annex the Essequibo Region.

Speaking to residents in the border community of Mabaruma on Thursday, President Irfaan Ali announced that two teams from the US Department of Defence would be paying two visits to Guyana next week and several other visits are planned for December.

Ali said too that the Guyana Police Force in particular is doing a lot of work “behind the scenes” to analyse intelligence gathered. “We are going to plan for all eventualities…We are not going to succumb to Venezuela’s bullyism,” the Guyana leader told residents.

Also speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo also affirmed Guyana’s commitment to peace and also mentioned the upcoming visits by the teams

International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Asserting global support, Jagdeo reminded of the backing from organizations like CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and the Organisation of the American States (OAS), along with major nations such as the United Kingdom (UK).

Moreover, Guyana is currently awaiting the ruling of the ICJ on its request for provisional measures that would block questions relating to the annexation of the Essequibo territory in the upcoming December 3 referendum by the Venezuelan government.

Remain calm Meanwhile, President Ali urged residents of Mabaruma and the border communities in Region One Barima Waini to remain calm in the face of

including the United States.

He spoke of the need for Guyanese to remain vigilant a g a i n s t Ve n e z u e l a ’ s propaganda designed to instill fear among the population. “All of us as one Guyana understand clearly that Essequibo belongs to Guyana; there is no doubt about that…We have to ensure that we don’t allow statements coming out of Venezuela to drive fear among us,” Ali said.

“Although we are of the opinion that Venezuela will not act recklessly, we cannot be unprepared. We have to ensure that we do everything within our own environment to secure our environment,” President Ali underscored.

He noted that Guyana has the full support of international partners , i n c l u d i n g t h e Commonwealth countries, CARICOM, neighbouring

international laws and work within the framework of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Exxon head regurgitates propaganda on massive oil profits to come As the Government of Guyana (GoG) continues to ignore calls for a renegotiation of the lopsided Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) it signed, ExxonMobil- the US oil major continues to push a misleading line that the country will benefit from jobs as revenues are due later in the future.

ExxonMobil and its partners Hess and CNOOC are the operators of the lucrative Stabroek Block.

Explaining this to listeners of 94.1 FM during an interview on Thursday morning was President of

Sunday November 26, 2023

Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge.

He was at the time responding to a question on the future of Guyana and ExxonMobil when he pointed out that it was the beginning of a decades-long journey. Given that revenues are likely to come to Guyana later, the ExxonMobil President indicated that the company is delivering jobs and opportunities to Guyanese.

“Delivering business opportunities, jobs for Guyanese because it takes time to generate revenues from the oil production and for the government to be able to take that investment in roads and hospitals and improved education, that’s coming. That excites me for the future but it’s not tangible today for people. What is tangible is can I have a job?

Can I grow my company and that was part of what I heard in Region Three,” Routledge said.

He was keen to note that to date 1500 Guyanese companies have participated in the development of the country’s oil and gas resources. Routledge also pointed out that in early days of production in Guyana, the operations were run mainly out of Trinidad, however, today two shore bases are now in country as well as other local companies, with close to 6,000 Guyanese workers now employed.

To this end, the EMGL President said, “Any international bench-marking w o u l d s a y t h a t i t ’s tremendous progress.” In the meantime, he noted that the company remains focused on careful exploration activities offshore Guyana and to move safely to production. ExxonMobil previously defended the lack of a ring-fencing provision in Guyana’s oil deal. Such a clause in the Licenses for

projects to be approved, could allow for increased revenue to flow to Guyana early on. In 2019, the then Country Manager for ExxonMobil, Rod Henson told the local media corps that the absence of ringfencing provisions in the PSA signed with Guyana is actually in the country’s best interest.

A ring-fencing provision would simply allow each oil project to pay for itself. In the absence of such a provision, the oil companies are allowed to use the revenue generated at one project to pay for others that are yet to commence production activities.

Chief policy maker for the Petroleum sector, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during an engagement with the media in October admitted that ring-fencing the oil projects will allow Guyana to benefit more from the wealth generated in the resource-rich Stabroek Block, immediately. Despite his acceptance however, the VP is unwilling to engage the operator to effect any changes to the lopsided 2016 PSA with Exxon or insert this clause into future Permits.

The contract stipulates that a whopping 75 percent of the monthly revenues are to be deducted as costs to repay the companies’ shareholders, while the remaining proceeds are split as profits equally with Guyana. In the absence of a ring-fencing provision, the companies have authority to use the income from producing oil projects to pay for other projects that are yet to commence producing oil.

A ring-fencing provision would therefore prevent oil companies from using revenue generated from a production field to offset costs in another project. It would also mean that when (Continued on page 71)

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

From page 70 that project cost is repaid, Guyana would enjoy 50 percent of the revenue generated there. Guyana has been repeatedly advised by independent international experts to ring-fence its oil projects to ensure the country benefits from its resources early on, as this would help to improve the n a t i o n ’s e d u c a t i o n , infrastructure and health services among others.

For instance, the Director of Financial Analysis for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Tom Sanzillo in a report estimated that Guyana should receive upward of $6 billion annually by 2028 or s o o n e r, h o w e v e r, t h e organization believes that due to all of the new costs, Guyana will be shortchanged until the 2030’s, if not longer. It would be poignant to note that last year, the Stabroek Block generated a whopping US$9.8 billion, but Guyana only received US$1.4 billion in profits and royalty, while Exxon took US$7.4 billion to recoup their investments across the Stabroek Block.

a minimum of 7.5% for oil and 5% for natural gas. He also noted that the government also gets a total share of petroleum.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, R a m highlighted that the country charges an extra tax when oil prices are high. Critically, the profits made by the oil companies are charged at the rate of 40%, all of which were negotiated under a prediscovery contract.

Ram added, “Compare that with the outlandish

aspects of the regime governing Belize’s oil industry. Ram highlighted for example that oil companies have up to eight years to explore for oil. If a commercial discovery is made, the company is given 25 years for production. If no oil is found within eight years of exploration, Ram said the contract “selfterminates,” meaning that they have to go. No ifs, no buts and no Bridging Deed.

When compared to

Saturday

fiscal terms Guyana extended to Exxon and (and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited) in a post discovery agreement,” Ram said. In many of his columns, Ram criticised the David Granger-led administration for accepting a mere two percent royalty in the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement for the Stabroek Block where 11 billion barrels of oil resources have been unlocked.

Currently, Guyana has three oil-producing projects – the Liza – Phase One, the Liza – Phase Two and the Payara. From the first two projects, Guyana is producing about 400,000 barrels of oil. The Payara Project which only started production on November 14, 2023, is expected to reach 220,000 barrels of oil, taking Guyana’s overall production to 620,000 barrels of oil by the first quarter of 2024.

Guyana is expected to reach 1.2 million barrels of oil by 2027 with the same meager two percent royalty and other damning terms.

OTHER TROUBLING DIFFERENCES Apart from the fiscal terms, Ram was keen to bring to his readers’ attention, other critical

Guyana where the world’s largest oil find of the decade has been unlocked, oil companies enjoy a more laxed regime. Ram said companies have up to 10 years for exploration and 30 years for production of any commercial find. Ram also noted that the terms are even more generous when looking at the relinquishment provisions. “For good measure, our politicians think they have to plead with oil companies to give us back what represents our patrimony, and what the law requires them to relinquish, a n y w a y, ” R a m s a i d .

Guyana’s generosity does not end there. Ram notes that instead of Guyana collecting taxes from the oil companies on the billions they make, Guyana actually pays to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) the taxes payable by the oil companies, out of Guyana’s share of profit oil.

The most incredible part of this whole concocted arrangement is that when Guyana pays the taxes for ExxonMobil and its partners, the GRA issues to the companies a certificate stating that they have paid taxes here. The companies then use that fictitious certificate to fraudulently claim a rebate on their worldwide tax liability in

Chris Ram reveals: Belize charges 7.5% royalty, plus taxes on 5000 barrels per day Guyana to pump 1.2 million per day with 2 % royalty, no taxes Following his research on Belize and the robust fiscal regime it has in place for its oil resources, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram is convinced, yet again, that Guyana is poorly served by those responsible for overseeing the Natural Resources Sector.

Ram, in his column a p p e a r i n g i n F r i d a y ’s Stabroek News, disclosed some critical highlights about the approach Belizean authorities have taken to get the most value from the nation’s petroleum resources for its people. The columnist revealed that Belize made its first oil discovery in 2005 and currently produces 5000 barrels of oil per day from two oil fields which are operated by Belize Natural Energy (BNE). That company is a subsidiary of a company from The Bahamas, a tax haven with no corporate taxes.

Ram revealed that under Belizean law, the first charge on oil revenue is a royalty of

their home country.

Govt. wants unity on Venezuela controversy but shuts out Opposition from nationwide activities – Norton Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton on Friday said that the political group is not being adequately involved in the national activities against the heightened claims by Venezuela on Guyana’s sovereign territory.

During a joint press conference with the Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, Norton explained that the Opposition had shared its c o n c e r n s a n d recommendations on the controversy and was involved in the Court case involving Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), however, he believes outside of that there is no involvement of the Opposition.

He said, “As an opposition, we said to government, we want to be united on this issue. We want Venezuela to see us united.”

Nonetheless, Norton explained that only on Thursday, he observed there was a visit to the border by President Irfaan Ali however the Opposition was not involved. “If you wanted to show a united front, you should have asked the opposition to send a representative or two so when you talk to people in Region One, it is obvious to people, it is not just the government speaking, it is the government and opposition,” the Leader of the Opposition reasoned.

He also shared the view that while the government is formulating a public education programme, the Opposition is not involved in that process either. Norton pointed out that the Opposition not only has skilled professionals in this area but also has access to such individuals outside of the political group. In this regard, he explained, “So we would have thought there would have been the involvement at that level so that when we formulate the policies and the programmes, they would have been policies and programmes agreed to by the government and opposition and again that will be a manifestation of unity on the ground.”

On the other hand, the Leader of the Opposition

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said a rally is expected to take place in Anna Regina, Region Two with the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo however again the Opposition was not invited.

Norton said he was told that the VP was “invited” to the event and was not the organizer.

In the meantime, Norton said, “we are now left to organize in our strong holds to ensure that our strongholds are educated and then I saw an advertisement for Linden in which Minister Edghill was going to be the person, apart from the fact of me not knowing of his foreign policy and skills and competence of the Guyana Ve n e z u e l a t e r r i t o r i a l controversy, again I would have thought the government would have want to go out there particularly in one of our strongholds with a united front. Clearly they seem not to want to do that and that is what I mean.”

Presently, Norton said the Opposition is involved in the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations, while there have been meetings with the President as well. Beyond that, Norton said he is unaware of any further engagements “much less one that can promote national unity”. Member of Parliament (MP) AmanzaWalton Desir informed that the Foreign Relations Sectoral Committee has met twice however; the Opposition is not satisfied with the level of cooperation.

She explained, “We would have proffered ideas as to what the education programme can look like, we would have also asked to receive some of the promotional material so that we…can play a meaningful role in distributing and promoting this educational material. We have not received those to date.” She said she is still hopeful that the flyers, videos and other educational material will be sent to the Opposition so it can also play its part in enlightening the nation.

Walton-Desir was keen to point out that the political group has no interest in “unity for optics alone” and expects the government to beef up its attempts to involve the Opposition.

Meanwhile, Ramjattan expressed frustration that MP Tabitha Sarabo-Halley was expected to speak at a school on the invitation of t h e P a r e n t Te a c h e r Association (PTA) and the

Head Teacher on the border controversy but was prevented.

Similarly, Former Chiefof-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), retired Rear Admiral, Gary Best said he too was uninvited to panel discussion on the border controversy which was scheduled for yesterday. December 3 Referendum The Opposition and government had taken a united position on the spurious claims by Venezuela on Guyana’s Essequibo Region. That country plans to hold a referendum on December 3, 2023 which among other things, asks Venezuelans to vote on whether support the Geneva Agreement as the only means to settle the controversy. The Geneva Agreement was reached in 1 9 6 6 a f t e r Ve n e z u e l a claimed that the arbitral award was null and void.

This was after it participated in the exercise to mark the boundaries (a proceed that ended in 1905 and was ratified in its Parliament.)

The agreement, while allowing for dialogue and a diplomatic solution, also allowed for the SecretaryGeneral to seek a final end to the controversy if dialogue failed. Dialogue was carried out over many decades and failed to achieve a solution.

They are being asked if they agree with Venezuela for not recognizing the jurisdiction or the legal right of the Court. They are being asked to oppose Guyana’s use of its maritime space.

Guyana is not asking for provisional measures on this question because the Court has ruled that it cannot entertain matters outside of the Geneva Agreement.

Venezuelans are being asked to agree with the creation of a “Guayana Esequiba”, essentially the territory of Guyana it claims, a n d g r a n t Ve n e z u e l a n citizenship and ID cards and then incorporate the territory on the map of Venezuela.

Guyana has rejected the planned referendum and has sought the protection of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Venezuela’s expansionist claims. Additionally, the Government of Guyana announced that it will carry out a series of activities to counter the referendum.

Moreover, government recently made it clear that any aggressive actions by the country will not go unpunished.

PAGE 72

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

GPA partners with media operatives to improve reporting on migration matters

WANTED

VACANCY

Two Housekeepers needed for hotel and one Nanny preferably from ECD. 223-5273/ 225-0254.

One Maid needed to work 4 days per week, must know to cook. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom with ID and recommendation.

Wanted! Male & Female workers for packaging pasta and chowmein on the Back Road (Mandela Ave). Call: 611-7839.

One Handyman needed to work in Peter's Hall. Call: 6748723.

Truck and Canter Driver, ages 30 years & older. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Call: 613-0855 9am-4pm.

One licenced car Driver, ages 40-50 years. Must have atleast 10 years experience.

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Office Cleaners, Inventory & Bond Clerks and Security Guards needed. Call: 6236383/ 227-1964, Email: nhlhrasst@gmail.com One experienced Domestic needed to work 3 days per week in Bel-Air Park. Call: 226-2322.

Handyman needed to work in Campbellville, 1/2 day 5 days.

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VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 6490956.

A able-bodied live-in Housekeeper to work in Virgina U.S.A. Between the ages of 30-50. Call: 845-325-8241/ 592-615-5476.

Media workers at the IOM, PADF and GPA workshop on Migration

Kitchen Assistant needed at Lucky Dollar Snackette, ages 25-40 years. Preferably from Georgetown. Call: 501-4769.

Members of the media were over the weekend exposed to key concepts of reporting on migration issues and utilizing accurate terminologies when reporting on the subject.

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Jermaine Grant of PADF explained a variety of migration terminologies.

Grant stated that there are a number of key terms which reporters always use when reporting on migration stories.

He highlighted several migration terminologies to everyone present at the workshop.

Some of the migration terminologies, he explained, were; Asylum, which occurs when the state (country) grants protection to persons outside their country of nationality or habitual residence, due to them fleeing persecution or serious harm or for other reasons from their own country. He also mentioned Labour Migration which is the movement of a person from one state to another, or within their own country of residence for the purpose of employment.

Another key factor which Grant pointed out in migration reporting is the difference between smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons.

He explained that smuggling is the

procurement, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit, of irregular entry of a person into a state party of which the person is not a national or a permanent resident. On the other hand, he said trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.

“It’s like if you drop someone (migrant) off by the sea walls, through boat, it is an illegal entry into the country,” he said while explaining the terminologies.

At the workshop, participants were informed about the main focus and mandate of the IOM and PADF which entails the provision are to provide emergency and humanitarian services to vulnerable migrants and refugees, as well to offer technical, programmatic, and policy assistance to government and other stakeholders on migration issues through the implementation of programs and sharing international

standards and good practices.

President of GPA, Nazima Raghubir explained the role of the media and its ethical role in reporting on migration issues.

Raghubir stressed the importance of the media’s role in ensuring that hate speech as well as hate crimes are not ignited or fueled in any way through their reportage.

Therefore, language as well as positive coverage is important when telling migrants’ stories, she said.

Finding trusted sources was another factor that was pointed out by Raghubir.

“Compile and maintain a list of trusted sources and agencies which include government representatives, state agencies, international and regional NonGovernmental Organization (NGOs), local Civil Society Organization (CSOs) and the Police,” she said.

At the forum, all attendees were given a chance to ask questions and give their opinions on the migration reporting as well as the content taught at the forum.

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 73

$12 million to rehabilitate GRA’s License Operation’s parking lot The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is moving to have its License Revenue Operation’s parking lot at Lamaha Street rehabilitated at an estimated cost of $12,507,075.

Just recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, bids were opened and it was revealed that 11 contractors submitted bids for the works. GRA is also going to modify its Filing Room which is located at the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) building for some $8 million, and retiling its internal staircase at its headquarters building. These works are estimated to cost another $8 million.

Below are companies and their bids:

Ministry of Agriculture Procurement of Security Services for the ministry Lots 1and 2

Air Force Brigadier General Marc Le Bouil, Commander of the Armed Forces in French Guiana , left, and Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Omar Khan. (Photo: GDF)

Ministry of Home Affairs Customized crime scene vehicles

Ministry of Education Procurement for the Printing of Grade 7 Curriculum

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Modification of Guyana Revenue Authority's Filing Room located at the Guyana Post Office Corporation.

Supreme Court of Judicature Construction of Mahdia Magistrate's Court

Rehabilitation works at GRA's Headquarters (Retiling of both internal staircase).

Could our mangrove forests...

Rehabilitation works-License Revenue Operation's parking lot.

From page 6 to give due consideration to the fact that a visible sea and shoreline contribute to the quality of life of many citizens.

There must be creative and effective ways to get the best of both worlds: on one hand, that of protecting our shores against wave attack (the main focus, no doubt) and, on the other hand, that of reducing the almost

claustrophobic and forbidding environment these forests create and that of restoring some of the peace and inspiration many people get from viewing and strolling along the ocean/land interface.

Guyana is a coastal country. We must not be made to feel as if we were landlocked.

Yours Respectfully, Sherwood Lowe

French Guiana commander commits to regional peace and security …during meeting with GDF Following a meeting between its leadership and that of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Armed Forces of French Guiana has pledged its support to regional peace and security.

According to a release from the GDF, Air Force Brigadier General Marc Le Bouil, Commander of the Armed Forces in French Guiana, led an 11-member delegation to Georgetown for a courtesy call with Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Omar Khan and other key members of the GDF. During the meeting, General Le Bouil reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support to peace and security amid the current regional challenges, the GDF said.

The GDF said during the discussions, Brigadier Khan warmly welcomed the delegation, emphasizing the enduring friendship between the two organizations. He highlighted Guyana’s commitment to partnerships with military allies that share common values, in particular respect for international laws.

General Le Bouil underscored the significance of his visit, emphasizing the continued commitment of France and its Armed Forces to a strong friendship with Guyana and maintenance of stability in the region.

The GDF said the longstanding relations between Guyana and French Guiana, highlighted by Officers and Soldiers undergoing training in French Guiana, reflect the depth of the strategic partnership.

This ongoing partnership between the two countries reinforces the shared commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the peace and security of the region.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 74

Sunday November 26, 2023

39 freed Palestinian prisoners greeted by crowds, families Aljazeera - Crowds have met 39 freed Palestinian prisoners in the occupied West Bank after 13 Israeli and four Thai captives released by Hamas left Gaza through the Rafah crossing.

The exchange on the second day of the four-day truce was delayed for hours over Hamas’s allegations that Israel was violating the truce deal while families in Gaza returned to find their homes in ruins.

Hamas has also handed over 13 Israeli captives and four Thai nationals to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) after a delay of seven hours as the group claimed that Israel had violated the terms of a truce.

The impasse was resolved following mediation by Qatar and Egypt on Saturday, the second day of the pause in hostilities in the IsraelPalestinian conflict.

Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a post on X that 13 Israelis and four foreign nationals had been handed over to the ICRC. They were on their way to the Rafah border crossing between southern Gaza and Egypt before travelling to Israel.

The 17 captives had arrived in Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) posted on X. “After undergoing an initial medical assessment, they will continue to be accompanied by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families,” it said.

Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, said that the 17 released were

International Red Cross vehicles reportedly carrying hostages released

by Hamas cross the Rafah border point in the Gaza Strip on the way to Egypt, before being flown to Israel. Photo: AFP/ Mohammed Abed

Palestinian prisoner Israa Jaabis arrives at her home in east Jerusalem early on November 26, 2023 [Oren Ziv / AFP] “taken to an airbase in southern Israel for an initial check where they will then be flown to several different hospitals throughout the Tel Aviv area for additional

medical and psychological checks”.

The Israeli captives included six adult women and seven children and teenagers, according to a

$703M contract awarded to renovate...

From page 62 truncated presidency of Donald Ramotar.

However, when the David Granger administration took over in 2015, it said that the very defective plan needed adjustments and changes were made. The decade-old project was awarded to Chinese contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the sum of US$150 million: $138 million from the China Exim Bank and $12 million from the consolidated fund – taxpayers’ money.

When the PPP administration took office in August 2020, Minister Edghill had stated

that they were not satisfied with the work that was done by the contractor and as such, they had negotiated and gotten CHEC to do additional works at the airport at no cost to Guyana.

The additional works that were done by the contractor included a superstructure, corridor and curtain wall. It was only recently that CHEC completed the works on the airport.

Notably, while the contract cost with the Chinese contractor remains at US$150M, the government is undertaking several multimillion upgrades to the airport.

statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office. The hostages were released after spending 50 days in captivity, it said.

Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan had said earlier that the aid deliveries permitted by Israel had fallen short of what had been promised and were not reaching northern Gaza, which was the target of Israel’s offensive.

Only 65 of 340 aid trucks that had entered Gaza since Friday had reached northern Gaza, which was “less than half of what Israel agreed on”, Hamdan said from Beirut.

Israel has said 50 trucks with food, water, shelter equipment and medical supplies had deployed to northern Gaza under United Nations supervision, the first significant aid delivery there since the start of the war seven weeks ago.

The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, earlier said Israel had failed to respect the terms of the Palestinian prisoner release.

Qadura Fares, the Palestinian commissioner for prisoners, said Israel had not released detainees by seniority, as was expected.

The row over the second swap of captives for prisoners quashed hopes after 13 Israeli women and

children were freed by Hamas on Friday. Some 39 Palestinian women and teenagers were released from Israeli jails.

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the government was committed to complying with the truce agreement with Hamas but that there were many parties and factors involved. “And every day brings with it its complexities,” he added.

Ye t , a t l e a s t t w o Palestinians were reported to have been killed by the Israeli military and 11 wounded as they attempted the trip to northern Gaza on Friday.

A large number of displaced people were trying to return home across Gaza as the four-day truce brokered by Qatar took effect on Friday. However, Israel has warned people that they will not be allowed to enter the north of the wartorn enclave.

‘Joy is resistance too’ Many Palestinian families were, meanwhile, waiting for the release of their loved ones from Israeli prisons.

Safaa Merie, who was among hundreds of people who gathered to receive the prisoners in Beitunia, told Al Jazeera she was waiting for a 14-year-old boy on behalf of

his family members from Jenin, a city in the north of the occupied West Bank.

“Because of the military checkpoints by the Israelis, it’s very difficult to come here, almost impossible,” she told Al Jazeera.

“I don’t know him, but we are all here to welcome all the prisoners.”

Manal Tamimi told Al Jazeera in al-Bireh, also in the occupied West Bank, that she was waiting for her teenage nephew Wisam to be released after seven months.

“Our brothers and sisters in Gaza, our hearts are bleeding for them,” she said.

“But we believe that joy is resistance too, and [we shouldn’t] let the occupier break us, break our happiness.”

Before the snag in the latest hostages-to-prisoners exchange, Egypt, which controls the Rafah border crossing through which aid supplies have resumed into southern Gaza, said it had received “positive signals” from all parties over a possible extension to the pause in fighting.

Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), said in a statement that Cairo was holding extensive talks with all parties to reach an agreement that would mean “the release of more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails”.

Israel has said the truce could be extended if Hamas continues to release hostages at a rate of at least 10 per day.

A Palestinian source has said up to 100 hostages could go free.

For now, 50 of about 240 hostages are to be exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners over four days under the truce, the first halt in fighting s ince H amas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people.

Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas, raining bombs and shells on the enclave and launching a ground offensive in the north. Israel’s relentless bombardment has killed more than 14,800 people, roughly 40 percent of them children, Palestinian health authorities said on Saturday.

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 75

Bank teller, teacher remanded for allegedly stealing money from bank -Third suspect on the run A bank teller and a school teacher were on Friday remanded to prison after they were accused of stealing

money from Republic Bank at Linden via a fraudulent withdrawal. A third suspect was implicated in the crime

but is yet to be apprehended.

The duo identified as Donna Edwards, 44, a teacher of West Ruimveldt,

Georgetown and Tyrell Davis, 19, of Wismar Linden were charged with 'fraudulent withdrawal' at the Linden Magistrate Court.

They both pleaded not-guilty and are expected to return to court on December 4, 2023.

They were arrested on November 20 and 22 respectively following an investigation by ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

While in custody Davis reportedly admitted to the crime.

He told police that he was

Remanded school teacher, Donna Edwards

Remanded, Tyrell Davis

contacted by a “friend” who paid him $300,000 to facilitate a fraudulent withdrawal at the Republic

Bank's Linden branch.

The teacher was the one who showed up to withdraw the cash.

PAGE 76

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

Sunday Thursday November November 26,24, 2023 2022

PAGE 77 19

Day/night Dirt Bike Race set for December 2

Members of the Moto Sharks Guyana, along with sponsors, at the launch of their Christmas Dirt Bike Championship set for December 2 at the Carifesta Sports Complex

Sunday November 26, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A female friend may seem to be upset with you and might not admit it. If you ask what's wrong, she'll probably say, "Nothing." Use your intuition to deduce what's bothering her and then try to make it up to her in some way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) To d a y y o u m i g h t f e e l especially passionate and desirous of some time alone with your significant other.

However, your partner may be detained by other responsibilities or might not be in the mood.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Emotions might run high with today's astral energies. Your friends may be snapping at each other and even getting into quarrels. Stay out of it! It's best to concentrate on getting the problem taken care of.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your significant other may be expected at your house tonight but not show up, and may not even communicate with you.

This might cause you to be understandably worried.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some people with whom you spend a lot of time could get into a debate over spiritual or metaphysical concepts. This could make you and everyone else very uncomfortable. This isn't the time to try to mediate.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Disagreements and hot tempers could hinder the completion of an important project. There may be a detail to the plan that some people just can't agree on.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You might have gotten home later last night than is good for you, and you may feel a little tired and dragged out. Take your vitamins and don't use coffee as a stimulant. Take a brisk walk to clear your head and get the endorphins going.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your emotions may cloud your intuition today. You might not pick up on the thoughts and feelings of others the way you normally do, and you could feel at a disadvantage.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Someone you need to contact for information may be temporarily unavailable. You might have to try to find whatever you need somewhere else.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You're probably doing better financially than you have for a long time, but you still might not have reached some of the monetary goals you'd set. This could be on your mind today.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your parents or another couple close to you may be quarreling, and you might be expected to take sides. Don't do it! It's better to stand aside and let them work it out for themselves while reminding them that you care for them both.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Someone you know well could be saying one thing to you while your intuition tells you another. Your friend is probably troubled by something embarrassing. Don't press for information. It will come out in good time.

Plans for the Moto Sharks Guyana Christmas Dirt Bike Championship set for December 2 at the Carifesta Sports Complex in Georgetown are on stream.

The event will be held on a semi-motorcross track developed by Jimmy Ten Pow, and according to the club’s Assistant Secretary, Superintendent Prem Narine, they have improved the model of the track, adding more extreme ramps.

“You will see bikes flying,” Narine indicated at the event’s official launch on Saturday at the Georgetown Club.

Furthermore, Narine reminded persons that the funds raised go to charity and reflected on their April event, assisting the fallen officer’s wife in constructing their home.

Meanwhile, Kathy Shuffler-Ten Pow, the club’s Secretary, revealed they would be races for beginners (50cc), females, and over 40, along with the usual 65cc, 85cc, 125cc, 250cc, quads, and a 125 L Suzuki series.

At least 30 competitors are set to compete across the various categories.

Support from corporate Guyana has rolled in for the charity event, and Vishal Sawh, proprietor of Auto Toy Store, is leading the way.

According to the former

grass track racer, it is refreshing to see the rejuvenation of the sport, as this is usually the first step for persons who venture into circuit racing.

Through his Liqui Moly oil brand, Sawh felt having children race in a controlled environment is vital for the sport.

More so, Devon London, Head of Business at ENet, noted, “Anything that supports the youths of Guyana is part of our core focus; we want to develop Guyanese talent, so we are proud to be part of any initiative that does such.”

The calls for support were further echoed by Denzel Hopkinson of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc., who appealed to people to come out in their numbers since they support youth and charity.

The organizers hope to

accommodate 1,500 – 2,000 patrons safely and indicated there would be a stand for viewing from the seawall.

Tickets cost $1000 for anyone 12 years and older, while patrons under 12 will be admitted free.

Other corporate support has come from Suzuki /Atlantic Marine, Dinar, Ricks & Sari, Mings P r o d u c t s a n d Services/Yamaha, Akbar, C&L Construction, Luminous, KSM Investments, Bently Security Services, Caresworth Medical Center & Pharmacy, RSGS, AJM Enterprise, Star Party Rentals, City Printery, Devesh Construction, Ambassador Bus Service, K. Martin Construction, FKH Investment, Sawa Investment Inc, Sleepin Bike Shop, Prems Electrical, and Suri Trading.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 26, 2023

MVP Sports U-11 Girls Football Tournament 2023…

Semifinal round decided Marian Academy, North Georgetown, St John The Baptiste and West Ruimveldt are gearing up for the 2023 MVP Sports Pee-Wee Under-11 Girls Football semifinal round following thrilling wins on Saturday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground.

The action-packed Saturday commenced with an intense showdown between Marian Academy and Friendship Primary, culminating in a 3-1 victory for Marian Academy.

Skylar Nobrega shone brightly, netting a remarkable hat-trick in the 5th, 35th, and 40th minutes. Marian Academy’s robust defense held firm, maintaining a clean sheet and showcasing their dominance heading into the semi-finals.

St John the Baptiste Primary then triumphed over Smith Memorial in a commanding 6-0 win. Shemia Hing displayed exceptional skill, securing four goals and establishing a strong foundation for their semi-final appearance.

Defending champions North Georgetown asserted their strength, overwhelming Tucville Primary with a resounding 6-0 victory. Kaley Jack stood out, claiming a match-winning four-goal haul (31’, 34’, 36’, 38’), while Isika Norville (8’) and Roshanna Mayers (12’) contributed with additional goals.

In a surprising upset, West Ruimveldt Primary secured a 30 win over Potaro Primary, largely due to Ariel Farley’s impressive hat-trick (7’, 10’, 16’), securing their spot in the semi-finals.

Additionally, the final matches of the round-robin stage saw One Mile Primary defeating F.E Pollard 3-0, and Genesis Academy securing a 2-0 victory against St Aloysius, concluding the preliminary phase of the 2023 tournament.

Wilson-led slate congratulates Golden Jags & Coaching Staff In recognition of their significant achievement of qualification into League A of the Concacaf Nations League, the Franklin Wilson-led slate is extending congratulations to the Golden Jaguars team and coaching staff.

Wilson, who is challenging incumbent Wayne Forde for the Presidency of the Guyana Football Federation said he is heartened by the performance of the team and offered his continued support for the team should he accede to the highest office of the sport in the land.

He was also high in praise of the efforts of Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz and his staff, adding similar sentiments of support to those offered to the team.

“I want to say that my team and I are extremely grateful for the yeoman service Shabazz has extended to the team, adding that his technical service extends beyond the team.”

Coach Shabazz has time and again demonstrated his love and affection for this country, and I personally feel it is time that he be recognised beyond his service to Guyana’s football.

He closed by urging all those with the responsibility of seeing the sport get back to the days of glory and cohesion do what is necessary on December 9 to make it a reality.

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

Johnson replaces Anderson in West Indies “A” Team to South Africa ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced that Jordan Johnson will replace Kevlon Anderson in the West Indies “A” Team 14-member squad for the ongoing tour of South Africa.

Unfortunately, Anderson experienced challenges with his visa documentation and was unable to travel to South Africa.

Anderson will now join the West Indies

Academy team in Antigua for the two fourday, first-class matches against Emerging Ireland at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG). Johnson will travel immediately to South Africa and will be available for selection for the second and third four-day “Test” matches against South Africa “A”.

Following the recent International Cricket Council (ICC) announcement that

South Africa will now host the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in January 2024, the “A” Team call up provides Johnson with the opportunity to gain valuable experience of South African conditions. West Indies A won the first “Test” against South Africa “A” on Friday by one wicket in a thrilling finish at Willowmore Park in Benoni.

The two teams will now travel to East London for the second match, at Buffalo Park starting on Tuesday, 28 November. First ball daily is 10am local (4am Eastern Caribbean/3am Jamaica).

SQUADS

PAGE 79

West Indies A Team: Joshua Da Silva (captain), Tevin Imlach (vice captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge, Jordan Johnson, Akeem Jordan, Shamar Joseph, Shermon Lewis, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Abhijai Mansingh, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair West Indies Academy: Nyeem Young (captain), Kevlon Anderson, Ackeem Auguste, Joshua Bishop, Teddy Bishop, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, McKenny Clarke, Leonardo Julien, Johann Layne, Matthew Nandu, Ashmead Nedd, Kelvin Pitman, Junior Sinclair, Isai Thorne, Kevin Wickham

Kaieteur News

PAGE 80

Sunday November 26, 2023

Archery Guyana closes off with 2023 Year-End Indoor Open The medalists and officials on the final day of the competition

Archery Guyana closed off their competitions for the year with their 2023 YearEnd Indoor Open at the National Gymnasium, which was held from November 711, 2023.

The tournament saw 36 archers; 13 women and 23 men, vying for the top spots in the ranking rounds over 4 days leading up to the elimination and medal matches on the final day.In the Men’s Barebow, Ryan Chichester topped the rankings with 421 followed

by Jeewanram Persaud – 418 and Teemahall Lall – 396 as the top 3. For the Women’s Barebow rankings, Roshini Boodhoo topped with 397 as Julie-Ann Williams followed with 380 and Alexandra Gomes took 278.In the Under 18 Barebow Men Daniel Elliott

took the top ranking spot with 353. Saifullah Gani followed up with 346 and Muhsin Wazidali with 276, and in the Under 18 Barebow Women Fatima Gani topped the ranking with 318, Arshia Naraine with 189 and Summayyah Karim with 172.In the Men’s Recurve Jeewanram Persaud dominated with 524, followed by Faraad Gani w i t h 4 6 2 a n d MehandraChatargum with 440, and in the Women’s Recurve Julie-Ann Williams topped off the rankings with 408 followed by Roshini Boodhoo with 375 and Bibi Salim with 296.

As the elimination matches got going tensions were high as the archers shot their best to move up in the brackets towards the medal matches. In the Barebow

Men Elimination Round Ryan Chichester, Jeewanram Persaud and Teemahall Lall were given BYEs to the Quarter Finals as Ricardo Lall beat Afzal Karim 6-0, Faraad Gani beat Gregory M c K o y 6 - 0 , MehandraChatargum beat Jaza Percival 7-3, Richard Dookie beat Kenrick Cheeks 6-0 and Courtlee Rodrigues beat Naresh Sukhu 6-0 to also advance to the Quarters.

Chichester then beat R. Lall 6-0 to advance to the Semi against Chatargum who beat Gani 6-0, as Lall beat Dookie 6-2 to advance to the Semi against Persaud who also beat Rodrigues 6-2. In the Semi Finals Chatargum beat Chichester 6-0 and Persaud beat Lall 6-0 to come up against each other in the gold medal match, while Chichester and Lall battled it

BCB Diors Bit and Pieces U-23 40-Over tournament…

Action bowls off today with intense battles The first round of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Bits & Pieces Under - 23 tournament is set to bowl off this Sunday, November 26 with a number of exciting matches carded for the day.

Getting things underway in the 40-Overs per-side competition, is Achievers who will battle DeEdwards team on their home turf.

Over at the Blairmont Cricket Ground, the home team will host the visiting Woodley Park cricket team.

Bush Lot Ground will host the battle between Cotton Tree Cricket Club and home team Bush lot, while the boys from Canje will do battle on their home turf against the likes of East Bank.

Guymine and Mt. Sinai will play at Locaber Ground, with Tucber Park Cricket Club will be looking to arrest the lawmen of the Police Club when they meet at Goed Bananen Ground.

The competition will bring down curtains on

round 1 following battles between; Edinburgh and Albion at the Albion Cricket Ground, Rose Hall Town versus Kendall Union at the Area H Ground.

Meanwhile, Port Mourant lock horns with Skeldon at their Skeldon Ground, while Upper Corentyne tackle Kennard Memorial at Kennard’s Ground, highlighting a number of exciting games set for this weekend.

Action is expected to start at 10:00h.

out for the bronze. After 5 sets Chichester emerged victorious with a 7-3 score to take the bronze medal. The gold medal was also hotly contested with Persaud claiming a 6-4 victory after a 5-set match against Chatargum who settled for the silver.

In the Barebow Women Roshini Boodhoo and JulieAnn Williams were given BYEs to the Semi-Final.

Bibi Salim beat Melesa Ramnairine 6-0 to take on Boodhoo in the Semi and Naudia Maraj beat Alexandra Gomes 6-5 to take on Williams in the Semi.

Boodhoo beat Salim 6-0 and Williams beat Maraj 6-0 to advance to the Final as Salim took on Maraj for the Bronze which she won. The gold medal match was hotly contested by Williams and Boodhoo, but Williams emerged as the winner after a 1-arrow shoot-off as Boodhoo’s time ran out.

Williams won 6-5 to take home the gold while Boodhoo took the silver.

The Barebow Under 18 men also saw some exciting matches with Daniel Elliott beating Mehran Hamid 6-0 and Daniel Cox beating Ismaeel Bacchus 6-0, with the winners moving to the semifinals where Elliott beat Cox 7-3 after 5 sets. Muhsin Wazidali beat Zico Teixeira 6-0 to advance against Saifullah Gani who beat Asif Rahaman in the Semifinals where Gani emerged with a 6-2 score to move into the Final against Elliott. In the bronze medal match Wazidali won 6-0 against Cox while Elliott and Gani fought for the gold. After another 5-set match Gani

won 6-4 to take home the gold medal and Elliott took home the silver.

In the Barebow Under 18 Women Fatima Gani was given a BYE to the Semifinals while in the Quarter finals Ashana Naraine beat Alisha Sakoor 6-0, Summayyah Karim beat Nataliya Pollard 6-0 and Arshia Naraine beat Jaquiza Chase 6-0. In the Semifinals Gani beat Ashana Naraine 60 and Arshia Naraine beat Chase 6-0 to advance to the finals. In the medal matches Ashana Naraine beat Summayyah Karim 6-5 in a 1-arrow shoot-off for the bronze as Fatima Gani beat Arshia Naraine 6-0 to take the gold with Naraine settling for silver.

The last matches of the day were the Recurve Men and Women which were full of excitement as they battled for the top medal spots. As the men began Jeewanram Persaud got a BYE thru to the Semifinal, while the other 6 men competed.

Naresh Sukhu beat Jaza P e r c i v a l 6 - 0 , MehandraChatargum beat Afzal Karim 6-0 and Faraad Gani beat Sean Duncan 6-2 to all advance to the Semifinals where Persaud beat Sukhu 7-1 in a 4-set match and Gani beat Chatargum 6-5 to move on to the gold medal match, while in the bronze medal match Chatargum beat Sukhu 7-1 to take the bronze. The Gold medal match was also a 5-set match as Persaud beat Gani 7-3 leaving Gani with the silver.

Only 3 women contested the Recurve Women, so Julie-Ann Williams went thru to the Finals with a BYE

as Bibi Salim and Roshini Boodhoo shot it out.

Boodhoo eventually beat Salim 6-2 to move to the finals against Williams in the gold medal match as Salim copped the bronze medal.

The gold medal match saw Boodhoo and Williams battling it out for 5 sets where Boodhoo emerged with a 6-2 victory to take the gold and Williams the silver.

After the end of the medal matches, patrons and competitors alike were given a special treat. A demonstration of compound archery which is one of the other disciplines of target archery. Michael Chatargum and Zahir Zamaluddin put on the demonstration shooting at the 18-metre indoor distance, after which the medal ceremony was conducted. The medals were presented by Archery Guyana President Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, Treasurer and Continental Judge Mr Robert Singh, Competition Committee Chairman MrJeewanram Persaud and Vice Chairman Mr Umasankar Madray. A special presentation was also made to the judges in the form of “The President’s Appreciation Award”.

The Board of Directors of Archery Guyana wishes to acknowledge and thank the Competitions Committee and Judges Committeefor their hard work and dedication to the sport, our affiliate clubs for their participationandfor the usual kind support of the National Sports Commission, Guyana Beverages Inc., Mr. Samuel Arjoon and the Management of Oasis Water. (Press Release: Archery Guyana)

Sunday November 26, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 81

Project “Cricket Gear Round 6 of the Limacol U18 for young and promising Schools Football unfolds today cricketers in Guyana” receives more support

Today’s card promises to be an intriguing line-up of matches.

Ken (left) and Eno Verapen NY Pioneer Cricket Club influenced by USA-based Guyanese Kennard Verapen has contributed 10 boxes of white cricket balls to this joint initiative between Kishan Das of the USA and GCB Executive Anil Beharry.

Ken, as he is fondly known, formerly from Susannah Village along the No.19 straight road, Corentyne, Berbice reached out to the initiative and voluntarily came on board.

He is a former employee of Bank of Baroda, New Amsterdam Branch. Thank you again Ken and NY Pioneer Cricket Club.

Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $370,000 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms, two trophies, seventeen pairs of cricket boots, thirty one pairs of batting pads, thirty two cricket bats, twenty nine pairs of batting gloves, twenty four thigh pads, three pairs of wicket keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest guards, two boxes, ten cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one softball cricket bat and ten boxes of white balls. In addition to the above, over $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.

To date, sixty nine young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, twenty seven

bats, two boxes, five helmets, twenty four pairs of cricket shoes, fifteen pairs of batting pads, twenty two thigh pads, one bat rubber, twenty four pairs of batting gloves and two pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats.

Pomeroon, Leguan and Wa k e n a m C r i c k e t Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteen color uniforms while RHCCCC received three boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails.

Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem and youth coach, Travis Persaud, softball teams in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans, Just Try CC, National fast bowler Shemar Joseph and Nehemiah Hohenkirk.

Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify talent.

Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth program will also benefit. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on +1-718-6640896.

The Limacol Under-18 Schools Football League continues today at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground with three riveting matches on the cards as the spotlight falls on Chase’s Academic Foundation, Bartica and Carmel Secondary, who are the top contenders vying for supremacy in the 2023 championship.

Chase’s Academic Foundation, the undefeated powerhouse leads the pack with an impressive 13 points, showcasing dominance with four wins under their belt.

Carmel Secondary and Bartica Secondary follow closely on Chase’s

heels; these two formidable teams stand strong with 12 points each, having suffered only a single loss in the competition.

Meanwhile, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary, Mackenzie High and Ann’s Grove Secondary are eager to bolster their standings by securing a crucial second win in the league.

Santa Rosa, positioned at fourth place is a determined team, boasting three wins and two losses, are geared up to clinch another victory and climb higher in the rankings.

To d a y ’s l i n e u p p r o m i s e s enthralling clashes between Chase’s

Academic Foundation and Bartica Secondary, Ann’s Grove verusus Christianburg and Carmel versus Santa Rosa.

The action kicks off at 1:00pm.

The tournament is sponsored by Limacol, organised by the Petra Organisation with support from MVP Sports, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Guyana Football Federation.

The event promises to offer fans an electrifying display of talent and determination as these young athletes battle for glory in this prestigious tournament.