Kaieteur News

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Monday Edition DPP returns file AIETEUR NEWS on PS in kickback scandal to police for second time November 08, 2021 - Vol. 14 No.42

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Exxon report says...

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 95,468

Rush to approve 4th oil project-Yellowtail....

Toxic waste will increase pressure on limited capacity of local treatment facilities New LCDS talks up mangrove restoration …promises improved forest, eco-system conservation in Guyana's climate change fight

Over 14,000 Malaria cases recorded for 2021 DPP recommends inquest into Peter Headley's killing - cop to be charged for neglect of duty

ues n i t n o c t s e The prot ge all for chan cts. tra n o c n g i e for

'Govt.’s borrowing binge will hurt Guyana' - says former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

...raises red flag over technocrat signing loan request to China instead of Finance Minister

VP Jagdeo calmly glosses over not checking or verifying US$9.5B for Liza 1 and 2 Projects cost in which Public Servants salaries could have been doubled for the next 66 years if we had saved half on on Kaieteur @11:00hrs Kaieteur of that US$9.5B thrown at us. Listen to him yourself while the Opposition silent.@11:00hrs RadioRadio 99.1/99.5FM 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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Monday November 08, 2021

Rush to approve 4th oil project - Yellowtail...

Toxic waste will increase pressure on limited capacity of local treatment facilities – Exxon Report

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x x o n M o b i l ’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has issued an early warning to industry stakeholders that its fourth project, being the US$9B Yellowtail development, will generate a significant volume of hazardous waste that will increase pressure on local treatment facilities that are already stretched thin.

This was noted in the company’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that is undergoing a consultative process in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In that document, EEPGL noted that Yellowtail’s planned activities have the potential to impact waste management infrastructure capacity for current users of the Georgetown-based hazardous waste treatment facilities (primarily other oil and gas operators) and nonhazardous waste landfills

(primarily the general community) due to increased burden of Project wastes on the capacity of these facilities.

The subsidiary was keen to note however that since 2019, there has been a substantial expansion of third-party commercial hazardous waste handling, storage, and treatment facilities in Georgetown. In addition, it noted the construction of a second cell at the Haags Bosch Landfill (HBL) was completed during summer 2021.

EEPGL said, continued upgrades and improvements at the HBL are ongoing while adding that there remain two additional cells at the landfill available for future development. EEPGL said each cell could extend the landfill capacity by five to six years, indicating that the landfill capacity appears reasonable for the next 10 years.

It said subsequent decisions as to further

expansion of existing or new municipal waste landfills will be undertaken by the Government of Guyana with the input and support of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and the EPA and participation of the public and other stakeholders.

With respect to the projected waste generation from Yellowtail, EEPGL said this represents a significant portion of the total demand for Georgetown-based hazardous waste treatment facilities. However, EEPGL said its contributions of nonhazardous solid waste volumes sent to the HBL have been averaging approximately 6 to 7 percent of the total annual volume received by the facility. With the foregoing in mind, the company warned that the viability of its operations depends on reliable access to waste management infrastructure of a

Map showing the location of the Yellowtail Project. sufficient quality and with sufficient capacity.

In view of this need to ensure project viability, and in recognition of the potential future capacity constraints and potential impacts on non-project users of Georgetown-based waste management infrastructure, EEPGL said it will implement several measures as it deems necessary.

TRILLION DOLLAR PROJECT Two weeks ago, Kaieteur News reported that development costs for the Yellowtail project are poised to exceed US$9B or GY$1.8 trillion.

Exxon said the costs are expected to be higher since there would be a greater number of development wells and associated drilling costs when compared to its Payara project which will also cost Guyana $1.8 trillion.

Despite the astronomical costs, Exxon believes that the project should be supported as it would

generate benefits for the citizens of Guyana in several ways, which would otherwise not be there in the absence of the project. It said these benefits include revenue sharing with the Government of Guyana.

The oil giant stressed however, that the type and extent of the benefits associated with revenue sharing will depend on how decision-makers in government decide to prioritise and allocate funding for future programmes, which is unknown to the company and outside the scope of the EIA. Apart from the revenue sharing, Exxon said Guyanese stand to benefit from the procurement process that will follow for goods and services from local businesses in alignment with the Petroleum Agreement and the EEPGL Local Content Plan approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources in June 2021.

According to project documents, Yellowtail will consist of drilling approximately 41 to 67 development wells (including production, water injection, and gas reinjection wells); installation and operation of Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines equipment; installation and the operation of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block; and— ultimately—project decommissioning.

The FPSO will be designed to produce up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day. The initial production is expected to begin by the end of 2025–early 2026, with operations continuing for at least 20 years.

The project is expected to employ up to 540 persons during development well drilling, approximately 600 persons at the peak of the installation stage, and 100 to 140 persons during production operations.

Kaieteur News

Monday November 08, 2021

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‘Govt.’s borrowing binge will hurt Guyana’ Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan, has expressed grave concerns over Guyana’s borrowing spree and he also questioned the legality of a letter sent to the Chinese ambassador regarding a loan request of US$1.5B, which he said was signed by a finance ministry official instead of the subject minister who according to Section 58(1) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 (FMAA), has the sole authority to borrow on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

In a letter to the editor of this newspaper, Jordan said that he had begun to hear rumours, around March, about the government’s approach to China for loans totalling US$1.5 billion, to finance various infrastructure projects.

“What I found to be astonishing was that the letter to the Chinese Ambassador, requesting the loan, was signed by a senior official of the Ministry of Finance and copied to the President, Vice President, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, among others. Section 58(1) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 (FMAA) reposes in the Minister of Finance the sole authority to borrow on behalf of the Government of Guyana,” Jordan wrote.

At a news conference last week Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo confirmed his government’s approach to the Chinese for the US$1.5B loan. When questioned he said: “We made it clear to everyone. No financing from anybody comes with political strings but Chinese financing has been readily available to the world and we believe, like the rest of the region, we have to explore friends

- says former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan ...raises red flag over technocrat signing loan request to China instead of Finance Minister

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan and partners from every part of the world.”

Jagdeo also spoke about the government trying to access 103 million Euros from Austria for the construction of a children and maternal hospital, but Guyana would have had to deduct 13 million Euros immediately as an “upfront fee” and repay that along with the requirement to use one of their pre-approved contractors. He said India and the United States stipulate that contractors from those countries be used.

Meanwhile, Jordan said that the 2021 Mid-Year Report records the stock of public debt as $2.905 billion. This, he said can easily rise to $5.3 billion within a few years, if one were to factor in the $1.5 billion from China and the undrawn $0.9 billion from the Islamic Development Bank. “It becomes even starker when one considers: i. the burgeoning overdraft of the Consolidated Fund; ii. borrowing from traditional sources, such as World Bank, IDB and CDB; and iii. new sources of borrowing, such as the Sovereign Wealth Funds of the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

All of this borrowing is taking place, ostensibly, to fulfil manifesto promises, regardless of

how implausible many of them appear to be.” Jordan said the repayment of these loans is premised on future oil receipts coming to the government. “In this regard, however, the experience of Ghana is most instructive and the government should avail itself of the lessons learnt.

Jordan said too that borrowing at a concessionary rate as low as 2%, although it makes sense will only work providing that the projects being financed guarantee a return greater than the cost of borrowing. “Since moneys are accumulating in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), then it makes sense to finance a project by borrowing at 2%, once the returns

on the NRF’s funds are greater than 2%. But here is a reality check: first, the funds in the NRF are earning almost zero return because the government refuses to activate the Investment Committee, among the other Committees of the NRF,” Jordan said.

He said too that it is unlikely that the $1.5 billion loan from China can be secured at an interest rate of 2%. “I say this based on previous attempts by a PPP/C government to secure funding from China for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP). A major sticking point during the negotiations was the interest rates on the two major loans that were to be provided by the two Chinese

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo funding institutions. These interest rates were far in excess of 2%.

The Kaieteur News reported last week that according to the midyear financial report, disbursements from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) increased 10-fold, from US$5.2 million in the first half of 2020, to about US$55.5 million for Continued on page 12

Partially vaccinated Guyanese allowed entry into Guyana until November 30 only

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verseas-based Guyanese who are partially vaccinated, that is, only have been inoculated with one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine are exempted from the “fully vaccinated requirement” to enter Guyana, up until November 30, 2021.

This is according to the recently released ‘Requirements for port entry into Guyana’ that was issued by the Ministry of Health.

As previously reported, the updated COVID-19 Emergency Measures for the month of November which was published in

the Official Gazette states that from November 1, persons who wish to enter Guyana, either by sea, land or air must be fully vaccinated and present to the relevant authorities a negative PCR test or an approved antigen test taken within 72 hours of the date of their arrival.

Following this, the document prepared by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Narine Singh has granted the exemption for Guyanese who are partially vaccinated and wants to return to the country.

According to the document

prepared by the CMO, partially vaccinated Guyanese who departed Guyana on or before October 31, 2021 and will return to Guyana on or before November 30, 2021, are exempted. Persons who travel after will have to be fully vaccinated to enter the country.

It should be known that a person is only considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving an approved single-dose vaccine, the second dose of an approved two-dose vaccine or any mix and match combination of approved vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 08, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

Multidimensional poverty in Guyana Call it whatever pleases: a concentration of crises at the original people level. Or a state of chronic problems that hangs on, and intensifies with the passage of time. Or a way of life experienced that afflicts and condemns to a terrible existence. Whatever and however it is described, multidimensional poverty is nothing short of a catastrophe for a section of the population of Guyana (“Poverty index reveals stark inequalities among ethnic groups -UNDP -in 2019, 51,000 people in Guyana were classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty” (KN October 17).

That number refers almost exclusively to Guyana’s indigenous population.

This Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), the handiwork of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in conjunction with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Index (OPHI), revealed something that Guyanese have always known in some casual offhand fashion. It is that our native-born people in the hinterlands are at the bottom of the economic ladder, what the UNDP called “multidimensional poverty.” We at this paper translate that to what it really means for those living in such conditions.

It is abject human misery.

According to the KN article, in Guyana, “Amerindians account for 10.51 percent of the population, but represent 63 percent of the multidimensional poor.” If we were to use an approximate population range of 750,000 to 800,000 Guyanese, that means there are about 81,000 to 85,000 Amerindians in our population. And if the Amerindian population “represent 63 percent of the multidimensional poor” in this country, then there are around five out of every eight who live in the darkness of deep and prolonged human misery. This is on an ongoing basis, with little by way of substantive relief on the horizon.

As measured in the study by UNDP and OPHI, there are many basic areas where chronic deprivations are the norm.

Among these in no particular order are water, sanitation, lack of schooling, undernourishment, substandard housing, and likelihood of victimisation from partner violence. They form part and parcel of such a dreary and desperation-filled existence. To select a few of those areas at random, girls are deprived of schooling, men do a little better, but that’s it; people don’t have enough food for daily consumption; and basics such as water and sanitation are largely not at any robust level. Unsurprisingly, females, both younger and older, experience the brunt of the effects of this kind of poverty and misery.

All of this is painful in reminding us of the grim conditions in which Amerindian brothers and sisters, Guyanese citizens are compelled to live. It is more like scratching out an existence in a succession of endless unchanging days. The piercing irony of all this is that all of our top people, from political leaders to senior public officers, love to share how much they have done for this stricken segment of Guyana’s population, and how the other side did not. How much they care and spent and gave, while the other group did nothing.

While this regular deluge of garbage is being fed to the Amerindian population as the main target audience, and with the larger Guyanese citizenry on a more generalised footing, the local native-born, our original citizens, languish in deep and enduring poverty. In the meantime, the main ingredients for a reasonable quality of life are most pronounced by their acute absence. Indeed, huge sums of money have been doled out from time to time by one government or the other. But we at this paper would assert that it is not to lift their standard of living, but to take advantage of these poor folk with the sole objective of gaining their votes at election time.

Plain and simple, they are election fodder, part of the power equation, due to them being a visible and manipulable swing voting bloc. Cash and projects go to selected people, and do not trickle down to the wider native population. They are a convenience, with no political objectives for alleviating their impoverishment, or empowering them to lift themselves up out of the gutters. Thus, our Amerindian citizens are used, misused and abused. And all the while, they live with the harrowing day-to-day realities of multidimensional poverty, aka terrible human misery.

Failure to audit oil expenses no different from people stealing national assets DEAR EDITOR, The revelation of the Government’s VP and National Hero who oversees oil and gas that the almost $US9 billion Liza 1 and Liza 2 expenses have not been audited is tantamount to the Government aiding and abetting the fleecing of Guyana’s resources. The sin of omission of failure to do audits is as bad as the sin of commission of wrongdoing. No excuse can absolve the Government of this grave sin against the nation. This is not Exxon doing it to us. This is our own Government doing it to us.

Here we are at the beginning of our oil journey and we are already in the “resource curse” syndrome. The ongoing Public Accounts Committee’s hearings are all about how the country’s monies are being misspent and there is poor accountability, poor record keeping, missing receipts of transactions and payments running into hundreds of millions of dollars, and at the end of the hearings nobody is going to jail for the unaccounted millions. Yet we have poorly equipped hospitals that kill our loved ones, dialysis treatment is unavailable in most of

Guyana, most of our village roads are mud roads still, our schools are primitive, Internet services are unavailable or poor in most of Guyana, and we have a long list of urgent needs. We are a “rich nation of poor people” as the President has said. Nation, what sins have we committed that in our politics we vote for one set of dullards to replace the previous set? When is this vicious cycle going to stop?

The KN, Glenn Lall, SN, Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN), TIGI, environmental groups, and nationalists such as Christopher Ram and others, have been harping on the need to complete audits since the agreement has only a two-year window to do so. We gave ongoing warnings to the Government.

The Government had a chance to use Payara as leverage to secure changes in audit timelines but chose not to. The Yellowtail well approval is coming up and that can be used as leverage to secure an increase in time to complete audits. Will the Government ask for more time to complete audits? In my view, the failure to complete audits is criminal and failure to do due diligence. There

might be a cause of action for private criminal action to be filed against those responsible for ensuring the oil accounts are audited. The Government cannot say we lack capacity to do audits or whatever else and think that’s a good excuse, and then adopt a “drill baby drill” stance. If you are unprepared to manage oil, do you go faster or slow down? How many of the proposed 20,000 scholarships are aligned to building our capacity for oil governance, oil accounting and auditing, environmental and general monitoring needs? Minister Hamilton said during a conference of the Pan American Development Foundation that we do not have a recent Manpower Study. Why not?

How are we doing needs assessments for manpower development?

Guyana has sent all the wrong signals to the Oil Operators that we are ill prepared to manage, monitor, and govern oil efficiently and effectively, that we lack the political skill and political will to do so, and that it will be a free ride for the oil companies to do whatever they want in Guyana, and nobody (Government nor Opposition) will

stop them. So oil companies can continue to flare gas and take indecent liberties with the environment, local content can wait, they can use “shell” companies and operate without proper insurance for oil spills, and our Government and Opposition will not be bothered by that.

So nation, the oil companies get the bulk of the benefits from oil, and we the people get big larwah because the PNC gave away the kit and caboodle, with low royalty, low profit sharing, inadequate insurance for oil spills and accidents, we pay the oil companies’ taxes, and oil barons make extra money because our current leaders do not know how to audit the $US9 billion bills the oil companies gave us to pay (equivalent of more than 4 years of Guyana’s budget spending). How can a country do business like that? It’s the oil companies and our Government on one side versus we the people on the other side. Our Government should not be the facilitators of the fleecing of Guyana, while our people struggle to make ends meet.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

At the Yellowtail EIA presentation held in Region 3 DEAR EDITOR, I attended the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) presentation of the Yellowtail Development Project held Monday Nov 1, 2021, at the Leonora Technical Institute (LTI). The presenters were very cordial and courteous in their presentations and answers to questions. The EIA itself was published in 3 volumes on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website, and its quality was by far better than that of the Liza Project. It was evident that EEPGL heeded the concerns of many environmentalists, and even included diagrams of some key processes.

To its credit, EEPGL also printed a non-technical summary of the EIA and handed it out to attendees.

I did not need to hear the presentations, for I would have familiarised myself with much of the EIA, but I appreciated that residents and workers in Region 3 might want to hear them. I did not arrive on time but ascertained from a nearby colleague that they started punctually at 4 pm and presented until 5.30 pm of the scheduled 2 hours.

This to my mind was unsatisfactory. Leaving only half an hour for questions was disrespectful, but the EPA moderator saw the need to extend it an extra half an hour. That

was still not enough, for I still had my hand up when time was called, and there was at least one other person who did not get a chance to ask his questions.

The first question from a resident was on the monitoring of the environment. Who would be doing it? After wasting time repeating what wastes would be monitored, the EPA eventually said that their officers are undergoing training and are doing the monitoring. I asked why therefore were my requests on behalf of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) for monitored information, made since last February to EEPGL and since March to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the EPA, with reminders, have never been answered. The reply was that there is now a new executive director. Apparently this means that there is a new EPA, with no corporate responsibility for its mandate to the people of the country according to the Environmental Protection Act, and I so protested.

A lot of the presentation was that the resources and environmental impact would be well managed according to international standards, beginning with production, for which the daily figure of the previously approved projects

are not forthcoming in a timely manner, not even from the Bureau of Statistics. But there is no qualified body we can have confidence in to check on the maintenance of these international best practices.

The EIA contains a salutary and very informative participatory fishing study to get baseline information. This is only fair because fishing is a livelihood for many families all along the Coasts of Regions 1 to 6. However, while there is a well-written stakeholder engagement plan (in Vol 3), questioning revealed that there is as yet no register of fisherfolk. Meanwhile, there is no methodology that currently enables the lack of catch in recent times to correlate or not with drilling and exploration being carried out.

So while there is a grievance procedure, the poor fisherfolk, without access to information about what is going on where and qualified persons on their side who are genuinely concerned about their fishing

livelihood, will always be in the dark as to the cause of any diminishing returns. Oil may be important, but it will come to an end, while fishing can continue for generations in a good environment for many ordinary people not privileged to enjoy the big profits of oil.

In an effort to demonstrate the value of the Yellowtail project, one presenter said that it will contribute taxes to the GDP of the country.

Knowing full well that the oil companies privileged to work here have their taxes paid for them by a perverse arrangement with the Governments, we have to endure, I could not resist asking, “What taxes?”

The answer given was that the workers in our oil industry would earn money and pay taxes — which so truly reflects where the burden really lies.

Lots of risks of oil spills, leakage of hazardous wastes, etc., were assessed as very (Continued on page 6)

As it should not be DEAR EDITOR, The demand for transparency on US billion-dollar climate aid is as it should be.

The silence on the failure to audit Exxon’s US billion-dollar spending, that now saddles taxpayers to pay, is as it should not be.

Has our priority been misplaced?

Shamshun Mohamed

Monday November 08, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Minister Jordan comments on Stabroek News’ China loan editorial DEAR EDITOR, I have arisen, albeit temporarily, from my self-imposed letter-writing retreat, to comment on the Editorial, “The China Loan” (SN, November 6, 2021). First, a word of congratulations for a superb editorial; it was worth reading twice for what it sought to identify, clarify and educate about the borrowing binge upon which this government has embarked.

I had begun to hear rumours, around March, about the government’s approach to China for loans totalling US$1.5 billion, to finance various infrastructure projects. But I was only able to confirm this, recently. What I found to be astonishing was that the letter to the Chinese Ambassador, requesting the loan, was signed by a senior official of the Ministry of Finance and copied to the President, Vice President, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, among others. Section 58(1) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 (FMAA) reposes in the Minister of Finance the sole authority to borrow on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

The act of borrowing is initiated by a letter to the lender and ends with the consummation of a loan agreement.

The 2021 Mid-Year Report records the stock of public debt as $2.905 billion. This can easily rise to $5.3 billion within a few years, if one were to factor in the $1.5 billion from China and the undrawn $0.9 billion from the Islamic Development Bank. It becomes even starker when one considers: i. the burgeoning overdraft of the Consolidated Fund; ii. borrowing from traditional sources, such as World Bank, IDB and CDB; and iii. new sources of borrowing, such as the Sovereign Wealth Funds of the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. All of this borrowing is taking place, ostensibly, to fulfil manifesto promises, regardless of how implausible many of them appear to be. The repayment of these loans is premised on future oil receipts coming to the government. In this regard, however, the experience of Ghana is most instructive and the government should avail itself of the lessons learnt.

You assert that “borrowing at a concessionary rate as low as 2% … makes a lot of sense.” That is true, provided that the projects being financed guarantee a return greater than the cost of borrowing. Since moneys are accumulating in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), then it makes sense to finance a

project by borrowing at 2%, once the return on the NRF’s funds are greater than 2%.

But here is a reality check: first, the funds in the NRF are earning almost zero return because, as you correctly identified, the government refuses to activate the Investment Committee, among the other Committees of the NRF. Second, you assume that the $1.5 billion loan can be secured at an interest rate of 2%.

This is highly unlikely. I say this based on previous attempts by a PPP/C government to secure funding from China for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP). A major sticking point during the negotiations was the interest rates on the two major loans that were to be provided by the two Chinese funding institutions. These interest rates were far in excess of 2%.

Editor, your “Fifteen months into this administration and we are yet to see the amendments to the Natural Resource Fund Act [NRFA]” struck a nerve with me. The NRFA remains the only piece of new legislation that has been enacted since oil was discovered in 2015. It has been maligned by the then Opposition, now government, who continues to gripe that it puts too much power in the hands of politicians.

One waits with bated breath

to see the amendments that would free the legislation of this supposed malady.

Equally, one awaits the setting up of the so-called autonomous body to govern the NRF in a country driven by ethnic strife and political partisanship.

Guyana’s NRFA was the product of extensive national and international consultations. It benefitted from Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) such as Ghana, Chile, Norway and Trinidad and Tobago.

Ultimately, its design was tailored to meet the peculiar needs of Guyana, taking into consideration the country’s stage of development. Hence, we eschewed any wholesale copying of the SWFs of other countries. It was expertly shepherded by two experienced professionals from the Commonwealth Secretariat: Dr. Daniel Wilde and Ms. Alache Fisho, a Ghanian national. I note the government has brought to the country a Ghanian contingent to review Local Content legislation and the NRF. I suppose nothing is wrong with them reviewing the work of their compatriot.

Dr. Vilas Gobin and Ms Sonya Roopnauth were among key Ministry of Finance officials working closely with the experts. I commend them publicly for their dogged determination in helping to forge a

The President should be informed and guided DEAR EDITOR, Guyana has definitely had a free fall from Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte and Cheddie Jagan to now Irfaan Ali. What an embarrassment Guyana faces in the international arena. There was a time when world leaders yearned to hear the opinions of our Guyanese political leaders. We led at the NonAligned Movement, CARICOM, and in SouthSouth cooperation. Now, at every forum, Guyana stumbles.

President Irfaan Ali’s poor performance in September at the United Nations cannot be over emphasised. It has to be seen as the reflection of a president who was never committed to what he was asked to say. It is for reasons of this nature that his action can never be believed that he is committed to welding this nation.

At the present COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, Guyana again failed to take a commanding position.

The president not only failed to speak for us, but his appearance was far from what the people of this nation are accustomed to seeing in their President, particularly at an international forum.

The president is hereby

reminded that image and presentation of self, matters.

One’s deportment reflects what he or she represents.

Regardless of our politics, Burnham, Hoyte and Jagan distinguished themselves by way of deportment and presentation on the international stage. Whether we voted or not for this government, like or dislike the government, on the international scene Ali is perceived as representative of all Guyanese.

Surely, after 23 years in office, the PPP/C has the experience and understanding of how any Head of State should be presented and can be perceived in such international fora. Whether one voted or not for Ali and regardless of what one thinks of him, he speaks on behalf of and is the representative of the collective- all Guyanese.

His presentation is moving from concern to national disgrace and one can easily be led into believing that such presentation is deliberately over sighted by those with responsibility for such protocols.

The average eye can easily see that he needs well-fitted clothes. One should not allow him to parade on the international scene like the fairytale emperor. It does us

no good.

Prime Minister, Mia Mottley of Barbados, comparatively making a much better physical presentation, though not outstanding, has the benefit of conducting herself and presenting her country’s position on issues of import in a way that garners her regional and international respect, and admiration.

Given the protocols of public behaviour at such fora, and in this era of gender sensitivity where persons are encouraged to respect the physical space of others, especially those of the opposite gender, he must rethink his conduct.

Our Guyanese leader will

do well with some coaching, lest he creates embarrassment for himself, his family, and this country with his unnecessary touching, leaning and hugging of Mottley.

He should not be fooled into comfort if she does not object. Such behaviour in the 21st century is deemed unacceptable. The President should be so informed and guided. This kind of juvenile behaviour is for the boys’ club or his house party but not even that in these times.

Ali’s performance, local and international, is as a result of failure of sections of this society to hold him (Continued on page 6)

piece of legislation that meets 23 of the 24 Santiago Principles (SPs), thus allowing Guyana to be admitted to the International Association of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IASWF), in 2019.

In an effort to meet all of the SPs, the Coalition government drafted a Public Debt Management Law, which should have been passed in 2019, were it not for the No Confidence Motion (NCM).

Such a law is vitally important, since it is recognised that a government may want to bypass the stringencies, transparency and accountability of the NRFA by engaging in indiscriminate borrowing while funds are accumulating in the NRF. While we await the enactment of this legislation, the present NRFA, at Section 34, precludes any arrangement or agreement that would encumber the current and future resources of the NRF. With the government borrowing like a drunken sailor, it seems that this section would be axed in the amendments contemplated.

The Coalition made strenuous efforts, in 2019, to activate the NRFA, after it was passed in January 2019. In May 2019, I met with the Bank of Guyana, the Association of Bankers (AB) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC). We were able to conclude an Investment Agreement with the Bank of Guyana and establish the NRF at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in accordance with the NRFA. The AB named their representative to the Committee. However, the PSC, while praising the strength of the NRF, appeared reticent to name their

representative to the Macroeconomic Committee. Of course, the then Opposition, in their typical display of hubris, refused to participate in any discussion, much less naming officials to any of the Committees.

At the Ministry of Finance, we were engaged in identifying suitable candidates for the Investment and Macroeconomic Committees.

In that regard, we were on the verge of attracting a wellknown Nobel Economics laureate to chair the Macroeconomic Committee, while Guyanese nationals at Stanford University and UCLA-Berkley were among persons being canvassed for other positions on the two Committees. Finally, we had contracted out the hosting of awareness sessions for the organisations comprising the Accountability and Oversight Committee to the University of Guyana. Alas, the limitations of governing imposed by the NCM precluded greater success and activation of the NRFA. But this much is clear: we wanted an NRF that was of the highest calibre, manned by persons of impeccable character and integrity, transparent in its operations, and accountable to the Parliament and the people of Guyana.

Yours faithfully, Winston Jordan Former Minister of Finance

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 08, 2021

Guyana’s academic gains – do they matter?

DEAR EDITOR, It seems a foregone conclusion that Guyana has a lock on leading the Caribbean at the annual CSEC and CAPE examinations. It is now an established rite of passage that Guyanese students rule the roost in an array of metrics. I extend congratulations to students, parents, educators, and institutions, including the Ministry of Education, and its Honourable Minister.

With the appropriate respect and humility, I use the above as context to take into different places, and share what may be - would be- misinterpreted for whatever purposes. I tarry forth. We must overcome this fascination with number of subjects, the

number of subjects topped regionally, and the regional comparisons, among other improper, unwise things. The foreign exploiters come here and look at a mere 10 subjects, and conclude that we don’t have what it takes: skills, talents, experience, and those mystifying convenient intangibles. Whatever the number (10 or 20), or the letters (BA, MBA, GOAL), they say that we are lacking. In deference to the dictates of the times, the language is subtle, graced with the purity of civility, but no more. This must register.Let the disputes about local content capacity/ capability register and emphasise to us - leaders, supporters, and the rest (traitors) - that we have do have

is required; except that our leaders lie to us, make fools of us, invite outsiders to join in the fun. This is regardless of what the foreigners say to us; or how they say such. I know discrimination and bigotry when I see it, hear it, and for one simple reason: I have lived with it. For my Hindu, Muslim, and Christian brothers and sisters (that is how I hold them, regardless of who they are to me), I urge revisiting colonial India. The words ring: “Every native of Hindustan I verily believe is corrupt” (Lord Cornwallis).

AND: “All the historical information…collected…in the Sanskrit language, is less valuable than what may be found…at preparatory schools in England” (Lord

Macaulay). AND: Queen Victoria, Empress of India, saw Indians as her ‘children’ and was hailed by her doting subjects. Sounds eerily familiar today. AND: Sir Michael O’Dwyer hated with a passion any educated Indian.

Whether India, Africa, or Inca, my point is that centuries later, our laudable Guyanese peaks of excellence (CSEC, CAPE, UG, even UWI) count as ‘not having what it takes.’ The mighty VP himself said that we don’t have the requisites to audit Exxon’s bills. Today, Exxon is the perfect replica of what the East India Company was for the British in the mystic subcontinent: the British company was an expression and extension of the power of Empire.

In Guyana, the Yankee company from the Confederate State functions as the articulation and actuality of American power, thanks to Guyanese political and civil society maharajahs, most of whom qualify for the label of Pindaris. PPP and PNC comrades worship at Exxon’s shrine, and profane this land and its many peoples. They profane me!

Damn it, our people can’t even eat at the same hour as them (GAWU). If not that, then I daresay there is the scantest regard for our 20 subjects at CSEC, 10 at CAPE, our honours degrees, valedictorian awards. I present this before foreign-kowtowing Guyanese, and say that it is time that we, the adults, think deeply and critically and comprehensively and instill those educational attributes in our young. To be nationalistic, and denounce those who degrade us. Those who rub shoulders with them at their meet and greet, and exercises in smile and guile, should

know that they are held among the lowest of the low (I refer to one Thomas Carroll of Consulate fame).

Amidst these realities, I am intrigued by the swill and hogwash that pour from Guyanese lips and pens.

Where is our dignity? Forget about nonexistent patriotic pride; simply have some individual self-respect. In sum, stop this pointless focus on academic statistics and fleeting bragging rights, and appreciate that we have a country to govern and build, and that we must do it on our own terms, govern it our way. And that means this: the foreigners do it our way, or not at all.

Last, PPP/C, PNC, AFC, and the many other areas of stupidity need to come to their senses and admit: everybody cheats us, but we cheat ourselves the most. Start with a meaningful education process. Be rid of those who dismiss Guyanese, our brethren all.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

The President should...

From page 5 accountable in lifting the bar.

This president has taken more than a year to come to his senses in understanding that the Constitution of Guyana mandates him engaging with the Leader of the Opposition.

He has refused to discharge this constitutional duty and has been goaded and supported by some with their illinformed position that the Leader of the Opposition

must first publicly acknowledge him as being democratically elected, before engagement could commence.

For more than a year he has held this nation’s hostage with his political immaturity and repeated folly. He continues to put at stand still important constitutional aspects of the nation’s business and embarrass us on the international scene.

Lincoln Lewis

At the Yellowtail EIA presentation... from page 4 unlikely, so the question of insurance came up again. It was stated categorically that all Exxon operations was fully insured, but the beneficiary was not disclosed. When ordinary people take out insurance, compulsory by law if failure of some responsibility like driving a motor vehicle can lead to harm, an insurance policy with terms must be signed. When asked to see the terms of the insurance policy, time was wasted repeating the unlikelihood of the risks. After insisting on an answer, an EEPGL spokesman clearly asserted, “Exxon has the responsibility and capacity to clean up any mess.” It therefore begs the further question that if the risk is so unlikely, why are insurance companies not hustling to outbid each other for the privilege. As if to comfort us, it was further stated that the Government is looking into it.

As already mentioned, lots of questions could not be covered. The matter of how impacts are assessed as small, minor or negligible merits dis-

cussion. E.g., mangroves are assigned sensitivities based on a combination of relative biomass, mangrove age, and stability (whether it was eroding, stable, or expanding); but how hard would it have been to put in the formula(e) of the combination? And why was the effect of the recent removal of the mangroves at Malgre Tout not considered.

Maybe I missed it, but I could not see that the EIA included studies of the fish nurseries and other habitats harboured by the mangroves.

The presenters did a good job answering some questions, so I am recommending and hoping they would be willing, if requested, not to make another presentation at the upcoming Zoom meeting on Nov 11, but to use all the time to answer questions from people qualified to ask and understand. They have already done the positive thing in the spirit of their stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) and scheduled that Zoom meeting.

Regards Alfred Bhulai

Monday November 08, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Monday November 08, 2021

DPP recommends inquest Climate change risks will be addressed based on threat level into Peter Headley’s killing As the adverse and potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change are already being experienced in Guyana, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 draft highlights that there are over 40 serious climate change risks that are relevant now and are projected for 2030.

However, it was stated that work will commence on implementing the resilience objectives aimed at addressing these climate change risks based on identified risk level and importance.

What was detailed in the draft is that there are 43 serious risks that are relevant now and projected for the 2030s, with four additional serious risks projected for the 2030s only – 17 risks could have catastrophic impacts and a further 22 risks are certain to occur.

According to the LCDS draft, “Four risks have been identified with the combination of catastrophic consequences and almost certain likelihood; these are found in the agriculture, indigenous peoples and

– LCDS draft housing sectors.”

However, it was stated that these risks can be mitigated based on the Climate Resilience Strategy and Action Plan (CRSAP).

The CRSAP has identified sectoral resilience objectives and actions to address all risks highlighted that are relevant now and into the 2030s.

It was also stated that the Strategy and Action Plan has identified key climate risks and priority resilience building actions, that are aimed to provide a comprehensive and overarching framework for adapting and building resilience to climate change impacts.

It was detailed in the draft that climate change will create serious and high magnitude risks for all 15 sectors assessed in Guyana and the aforementioned serious risks are said to spread across 13 different sectors.

However, the Strategy and Action Plan are supported by the five cross-cutting pillars of adaptation identified

in Guyana’s Second N a t i o n a l Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Those pillars are: information, research and systematic observation; institutions and capacity building; policy and legal frameworks; infrastructure and technology; and finance.

Moreover, information in the LCDS 2030 draft also detailed that since the 1960s, Guyana has observed marked increases in temperatures, sea levels and the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events.

The impacts on Guyanese people, society, economy and environment during flooding events in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and the droughts of 1997-1998, 2009-2010 and 2015-2016 are poignant examples of the devastation climate change may cause.

What was also highlighted is that the flooding in 2005, caused damage estimated at US$465 million (60% of GDP at that Continued on page 18

- cop to be charged for neglect of duty

Dead, Peter Headley

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C has recommended that a C o r o n e r ’s I n q u e s t b e conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of 45-year-old Peter Headley.

Back in May of this year, Headley was allegedly shot and killed by a policeman while being transported to the Providence Police Station. Kaieteur News understands that the file into H e a d l e y ’s d e a t h w a s recently returned to the police and that the DPP recommended that the Lance Corporal involved in his death be charged with neglect of duty.

This publication also learnt that the policeman will be charged departmentally

for his failure to ensure that the motorcar in which Headley was in at the time of the shooting, had been properly searched prior to departure to the police station. Also it was recommended that the policeman be charged for his failure to ensure that Headley was appropriately restrained by handcuffing him.

It was reported that on May, 15, 2021 Headley was shot dead after he and another man, who was identified as 29-year-old Rondel Daly, were arrested by the police at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara, for an alleged robbery that occurred in Herstelling on May 11.

Around 20:45hrs that day, police stopped and

s e a r c h e d H e a d l e y ’s motorcar. There, ranks found a television set, which they suspected was stolen in the Herstelling robbery. Daly was arrested and placed in the police patrol vehicle while Headley was placed in the front passenger seat of his car, and one rank entered the driver’s seat and the other entered the back seat.

While transporting him, the officers claimed that Headley allegedly reached under his seat and pulled out what looked like a gun.

According to reports, this had caused the rank sitting in the back seat to shoot him.

An injured Headley was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he died while receiving treatment.

The two officers who were in Headley’s vehicle at the time of the fatal shooting were placed initially under close arrest but in July, the Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie shared that they are on open arrest, pending the outcome of the investigation. An investigation was launched subsequently by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), which in July completed the investigation into the matter and submitted the file to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) for review. The file was later completed by the PCA and was submitted to DPP last month for advice.

Monday November 08, 2021

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Kaieteur News

The gas-to-shore and Amaila projects should be placed in quarantine The average cost of electricity in Trinidad and Tobago, delivered to consumers, is US$0.05 cents per kilowatt hour. Why then would Guyana be spending billions of US dollars to produce electricity at a cost of US$0.07 per kilowatt hour and then to deliver this same electricity at double that cost to its consumers.

The average cost of delivered electricity in Guyana is approximately US$0.32 cents. But even with the halving of this price, Guyana will not become competitive with Trinidad and Tobago which is not known for its efficient generation of power.

The relatively high cost of the generation of electricity is one of the reasons why Guyana should not be pursuing the gas-to-shore project or the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. Neither of these two projects, as conceived by the PPP/C, is going to provide Guyana with a competitive cost of electricity.

Speaking at a Diaspora Conference in May of this year, President Irfaan Ali indicated that Guyana is looking towards the establishment of an energy corridor linking Guyana, Brazil and Suriname. French Guiana has also hinted at being part of such a facility. It is reported that the energy corridor would see the countries collaborating to share power, based on their needs and ability to supply.

The idea of Guyana becoming an exporter of

energy is a pipe dream. Who is going to buy energy from Guyana at a cost of more than US$ 0.30 per kilowatt hour for imported energy? Brazil, Suriname and French Guiana are quite capable of generating their own power at a lower or comparable cost.

More than 35 years ago, the PNC was on a similar wild excursion with its Upper Mazaruni Hydroelectric Project. The propaganda which was spewed by the PNC still have Guyanese believing that Venezuela’s blocking of loans from the World Bank killed the project.

The facts however are much different. The cost of the 3,000 MW UMHP was grossly underestimated and it relied upon selling electricity to, of all places, Venezuela since Guyana did not have the capacity to utilise that power.

The PPP/C government however will not have the same problems with accessing financing for its Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Facility and the gas-to-shore project. All two projects, presently in the pipeline, are going to be financed by private investors. The profits to these investors are going to be unwritten by a Power Purchase Agreement with the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL).

The cost which GPL will have to pay the developers will have to be borne by consumers. In other words, it is you and me who will be saddled with ensuring that these developers make their financial killings. In March of this year, President Irfaan Ali

told a Guyana Basin Conference that Guyana was going to become an industrial powerhouse. But with only a projected halving of the cost of energy as a result of the gas-to shore and the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, this too is another pipe dream.

The second draft of the National Competiveness Strategy, which was collaboration between the Government of Guyana and the Private Sector Commission, had identified the high cost of energy as a major bottleneck towards increased competitiveness.

That report stated, “The cost and reliability of electricity is also recognised by Government as a major constraint for profitability and smooth business operations, especially in energy intensive industries such as mining and manufacturing.”

One year ago, the World Bank reminded us that energy costs in Guyana are among the highest in the world. Yet, it appears that the government lacks the ambition to do better than the US$0.15 per kilowatt hour which will not allow the economy to become competitive.

And local private sector organisations are mum on this question. Thus far, both the Private Sector Commission and the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association have not made any adverse comment about the estimated cost of power from Amaila and from the gasto-shore project, even though

Dem Boys Seh…

Tief from tief does mek God laugh!

A man leff he car keys in de ignition outside de market. Another man jump in de car and attempt fuh drive off. He get hold and people accuse he of trying fuh steal de car.

But de biggest joke was when de alleged tief man get hold, another man seh search he. De same man wah call fuh search he go and push he hand in de alleged tief man pocket and tek out he wallet and cellphone and walk away. De man wah bin try fuh drive way with de car

start fuh behave bad. He vex how de odder man carry way he cellphone and wallet.

Tief from tief does mek God laugh.

It mek dem boys remember de time when in de United States a robber put a gun to a man ribs and say, “Give meh yuh money.”

De man was shock by de sudden attack and exclaim, “Yuh can’t do this, I am a government politician!”

De robber say, “In dat case, give me meh money!”

But de best was de case

of de man who bin talking to he neighbour. De neighbour ask he: “So, wah wuk yuh sons does do?

De father answer, “De fuss one is an engineer, de second one is a doctor. De third one is a businessman and meh last son is a tief!

De neighbour say, “Wah? Why don’t you kick your 4th son out ah de house?”

De father reply, “How ah gun do dat? He is de only one who bringing in money.”

Talk half and nah encourage tief!

the final cost to their stakeholders is likely to be more than three times that which is paid by consumers in Trinidad and Tobago.

The gas-to-shore project and the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project must be placed in quarantine. The public must demand that these projects be reconceptualised or halted all together because they will end up delivering high-cost energy to consumers and will do very little to improve Guyana’s competitiveness.

Jagdeo and company must not be allowed to proceed with these projects which will benefit investors at the expense of consumers.

But even more importantly, these projects are part of the selling of pipe dreams which can end up bankrupting the country. So far Jagdeo has not stated whether the government will guarantee a fixed rate of return for the investors.

Instead, of Guyana becoming an industrial powerhouse – as the

President likes to tout – the PPP/C will turn the country into an industrial graveyard.

Just as the Upper Mazaruni Hydroelectric Project almost did 36 years ago.

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

Kaieteur News

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Monday November 08, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

ANIMAL CRUELTY: A reply to Dave Martins Guyanese iconic, international singer, Dave Martins, does a weekly column in the Stabroek News.

I find his offerings informative. I particularly like reading about his personal history because as a fellow columnist, the urge to let readers know your evolution is always there.

Mr. Martins is older than I am and has interacted with Guyana longer than I have.

From reading Mr. Martins, I would say he is far less an emotional critic of his country than I am. Maybe this has to do with our evolution and work. He is a cultural artist. I am an academic who studies the philosophical character of a

young post-colonial country and the role power has played in destroying its collective psyche even before Independence.

Mr. Martins’ commentary yesterday is a refreshing and comforting manifestation of a Guyanese who still has his psychic integrity intact. Not many Guyanese possess the capacity to understand the values of compassion, empathy, and humaneness.

Mr. Martins’ piece is on animal cruelty in Guyana. He laments the wanton use of firecrackers. But I think there was one aspect of Mr. Martins’ piece that I was looking for but I didn’t find – the lack of appreciation in the total society, no one

component of it, not from one quarter only but the total society on the value of animals to humans.

Mr. Martins has to understand that animal cruelty will continue unabated because we live in a society where the capacity to understand the strands that hold civilisation together is gone. The US Embassy discovered a depraved aberration in Guyana and placed it in the State Department Annual Report on human rights. The embassy reported that drivers do not dim their high beams when you flash to indicate that they must.

The embassy reported on this uncouthness two years

ago. Ten years before I had done a Sunday column on people refusing to dim and reproduced that column some years after. It has to be an uncivilised country where a driver is telling you he/she cannot see the road ahead so dim your high beam but that oncoming driver simply ignores you. Have you seen the people who refuse to dim? They are not from low income areas of south Georgetown.

Here is graphic evidence that animal cruelty is not even something this society knows about much less to think about it. For two weeks in 2016, state-employed vets at the Ogle airport were killing puppies that came from the interior because these vets demanded to see papers of origin of birth. So many Guyanese lost their pets because even though they live in Guyana, they couldn’t prove where the dogs were born.

That was ignorance, asininity and stupidity and sadistic animal cruelty. If I live in Region One and I am going to visit my mother in Georgetown for a month why should I know that at Ogle, the vets would ask me where my dog was born? But look at the psychic breakdown of this country.

The last person you expect to

show eagerness to kill a puppy is a vet. But the vets were doing the killings.

I did five columns on the murder of these dogs after Frederick Kissoon Kaieteur News devoted a large about that tragedy. From the space in one of its Sunday’s edition to this issue. APNU leadership, there Here is the guide to those w e r e n o w o r d s o f columns – January 23, 2021; condemnation. AFC bigwigs January 4, 2018; December showed absolutely no 16, 2016; December 14, i n t e r e s t e v e n t h o u g h Kaieteur News interviewed 2016; November 3, 2016.

Only one human in this the miner whose three dogs country responded to what were almost put to death. It was taking place at the Ogle was the only time in our airport - the then editor-in country’s history that chief of the Chronicle, Mr. philistines were in charge of Nigel Williams. He took up Guyana. Fortunately, they the story and published are out and out forever. The images of the executed killing of those puppies, I say without fear of puppies.

No one, outside of Mr. contradiction, would not Williams and Frederick have happened in any other Kissoon, even penned one c o u n t r y w i t h o u t paragraph in the newspaper governmental intervention. or voice disappointment on Governments just do not social media on what was wantonly kill pet dogs like taking place at Ogle. When that. But they do in Guyana vets can indiscriminately kill because civilisation took animals, then such a society flight from this place a long time ago. is definitely broken down.

It was the killing of the (The views expressed in puppies that made up my m i n d f o r m e t h a t this article are those of the APNU+AFC had to be voted a u t h o r a n d d o n o t out. Not one leader in the necessarily reflect the government said even a word opinions of this newspaper.)

Monday November 08, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday November 08, 2021

Zeelugt residents to get DPP returns file on PS in kickback land titles after 20-year wait scandal to police for second time

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC (2nd right), accompanied Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal (right) and other officials met with the residents on Friday last.

After more than 20 years of waiting, some 87 households from the community of Zeelugt East Bank Essequibo, Region Three, will receive titles to their lands.

On Friday, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, accompanied Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and other officials from their respective Ministries and officers from the Sugar Welfare Fund (SILWIF) met with the residents of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three.

The purpose of the meeting was to commence a process that will eventually result in the grant of Certificate of Titles to approximately 87 households in that community. These persons were either employees of GuySuCo or their descendants who had been allotted house lots as far back as 1997. Unfortunately, titles for these lands were never granted to the allottees, although the block title was passed from GuySuCo to SILWIF. An occupational survey plan has already been completed and the processing of the titles to individual allottees will now begin.

The Attorney General promised that the process will be completed within three months.

The Attorney General also hailed the comprehensive nature of the government’s housing programme and described it as perhaps the best in the Caribbean.

He noted that ‘‘It embraces several components, including allocation of house lots, allocation of houses, partnerships with the

private sector in the establishment of housing schemes, regularization of squatter settlements, as well as, addressing anomalous situations where for some technical reason persons have not received Titles for lands they have been occupying for protracted periods. The current exercise falls into the latter category.’’

Minister Nandlall also stated that President Ali has given him a special mandate to work in collaboration with other government agencies to address these technical legal deficiencies, which frustrate the process of persons receiving Titles to land to which they are entitled. The Minister reminded that a similar process was recently concluded which saw Certificates of Title being granted to over fifty (50) families at Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara. Similar processes are currently ongoing at Number #46 Village Corentyne, Cotton Tree and Number Three village, West Coast Berbice.

Minister Croal used the occasion to update the residents on the activities of his Ministry in Region 3, specifically in the drilling of a new well at Parika which will improve water supply on the East Bank of Essequibo, including Zeelugt. The Minister also addressed a number of other issues raised by the residents in relation to the Housing and Water sectors.

Also in attendance, were Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Vikash Ramkissoon, Regional Chairman, Region Three, Mr. Inshan Ayube as well as the Neighborhood Democratic Council Chairman for the locality.

It has been more than one month since Permanent Secretary (PS) attached to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was allegedly caught in a sting operation collecting a bribe from a contractor.

The last update this publication received on the matter is that the case file was once again returned to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for corrections to be made.

Sharon Hicks, 42, of 811 Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was arrested at her Quamina and Thomas Streets, South Cummingsburg office on Thursday October 7, 2021 during the police operation.

Following the sting operation she was immediately sent on leave pending the investigation. The case file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, during last month for legal advice. The file was sent back to the police for the investigators to make correction and resend to the DPP chambers.

However, according to the DPP Public Relations Officer (PRO), Liz Rahaman, the police did return the file to the DPP’s chambers but the file was once again returned to the GPF for further corrections.

Kaieteur News had reported that the sting operation was setup after a businessman who usually provides security services to the Ministry reported to the police that the PS was demanding money from him before she signed off on his invoices.

Hicks and the businessman’s father had a deal in which she would help him secure a contract with the Ministry and in return, he

Sharon Hicks, the Permanent Secretary who was caught collecting a bribe. pays her $200,000 a month. After the businessman’s father died, he took over his father’s business and that is when Hicks approached him to strike the same deal with him, to which he first agreed.

However, after reportedly paying Hicks for three months, he became tired and reported the matter to the police. As such, the sting operation was setup and marked notes were handed over to the PS by the contractor while in her office. After Hicks collected the money, a plainclothes police rank walked into her office, identified himself and cautioned her. She was then told of the allegation and arrested.

Contracts signed for 100 housing units in Berbice

‘Govt. borrowing binge will hurt...

From page 3 the corresponding period in 2021.

According to the report, about 75.2 percent of the latter amount was allocated to combating the economic and social ramifications of the pandemic. The report was at the time addressing the nation’s total debt stock and explained that the increase “was largely due to positive net flows (disbursements less principal repayments) from the IDB, driven by disbursements, under two loan agreements geared at combating the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to the report, at the end of June 2021, multilateral creditors held 64.2 percent of external Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt, bilateral creditors 33.4 percent, and private creditors 2.4 percent. Projecting forward, the report states that the external PPG debt stock is projected to increase by 3.9 percent from its mid-year position, to US$1,407.5 million at the end of 2021, mainly driven by disbursements under several IDB funded projects.

Detailing the borrowing, the report reflected that in the first half of 2021, disbursements from external creditors

amounted to US$61.6 million, more than three times that in the first half of 2020. To this end, it was explained that “this increase reflects higher disbursements from multilateral creditors, moving from US$10.3 million in the first half of 2020, to US$60.8 million in the first half of this year.”

Meanwhile, as key projects approached completion, the report highlighted that bilateral disbursements totalled US$0.8 million in the first half of the year, 89.1 percent lower than US$7.3 million during the same period of 2020.

Meanwhile, as it relates to domestic PPG debt, the report documents that, at the end of the first half of the year, this amounted to US$1,552.6 million, a 22.1 percent increase from the end of 2020 figure of US$1,271.4 million. It was noted too that in June 2021, government securitised the inherited overdraft at the Bank of Guyana using 85 variable-rate debentures, with tenors ranging from 1 to 20 years, totalling G$200 billion (about US$959.2 million). “Consequently, the first half of 2021 ended with the Consolidated Fund, as well as public deposits, reflecting a positive balance.”

Housing Minister Collin Croal and other officials examining a plan for the area.

Government on Saturday awarded contracts to 13 contractors to the tune of $750 M for the construction of the first 100 homes in Williamsburg/Hampshire, Corentyne Berbice, Region 6.

Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and P l a n n i n g A u t h o r i t y, Sherwyn Greaves facilitated the signing at the Berbice Chamber of Commerce office, Rose Hall Town, Berbice. Construction will commence on one hundred 20x30 flat, housing units complete with twobedrooms, within the next

few weeks.

The firms awarded the contracts are: Cardinal Enterprise; S.A.H Construction & Supplies; A.A. Construction; Singh and Sons Construction, Vickram’s Contracting Services, JS Engineering Services and Supplies, N. Ramnarine Construction, Rasheid Construction, SAWA Investment Inc., Ramsarran & Sons Construction, Triple-A Construction, E.C.S Construction and General Supplies and Feroze Construction Services.

Contracts will also be signed for an additional 100 housing units at Ordinance Fortland, East Canje Berbice. Minister of Housing Collin Croal who was present for a tour of the site noted that the venture is another promise delivered by the government.

This he said fits in line with the ministry’s goal to deliver over 50,000 house lots within the next four years. Contractors were urged to complete the work in a timely manner and to the standard acceptable by the ministry.

Monday November 08, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Monday November 08, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Semi furnished 2 bedrooms upper apartment.Price $1,200 USD,LocatedPrashad Nagar.Tel:223-6218,2265546.

Fully furnished 3 bedrooms house.Price $4,000 USD, Located Richmond Hill, P r o v i d e n c e . Te l : 2 2 3 6218,226-5546.

Fully furnished 3 bedrooms house.Spacious parking Windsor Estate $4,500 USD.Tel:223-6218,226-5546.

Fully furnished 6 bedrooms house AC, hot & cold bath ,backup generator, Eccles NewScheme$3,500 USD. Tel:223-6218,226-5546.

Fully furnished 3 bedrooms house,Republic Gardens $3,000 USD.Tel:223-6218,2265546.

Commercial building ground floor 32x41 ft,Carmichael St $300,000 per month.Tel:2236218,226-5546.

Female ages 25-40 to take care of elderly male in Trinidad.

Accomodations provided.

Call: +1 (868) 489-4087 Customer Service Rep/Dispatcher, must be familiar with locationsaround Georgetown. Call: 621-9356.

Drivers & Office Clerk. Apply at Survival lot 10 Vlissengen Road, Newtown, Kitty.

Sales girls wanted.

Bourdamarket A & B. Call:227-7304.

Supervisor, Counter Clerk, Hymac & Diesel Mechanic to work in charity. Call: 2235273/688-0417.

1 able bodied driver, ages 25+. Must have truck license.

Ice Factory Mon Repos, Call: 220-3459, between 8-4.

One male able bodied clerk.

Call: 225-2313/226-1497.

1 living in general domestic cleaner.Contact 637-4605.

Waitress for bar.Call:6576547.

VACANCY

LAND FOR SALE La Penitence, Eccles, Carmichael St,Cummings lodge 2 acres,La Grange, Carnelia Rda.Contact Ray's Realty 627-9685.

PROPERTY FOR SALE 2 bedroom wooden house for sale in Ulverston Berbice for $1.5million,land not included. Contact: 650-5626.

Queenstown,Sheriff St,Charlotte,Robb, Betterhope,E nterprise, Diamond,Zeelught.Contact Ray's Realty 627-9685.

PENPAL Male seeks female 18-38 to live with or marry. Call: 6039085.

Auto Electrical apprentice age 19-25 yrs.Apply in person, Lot 120 Forth Street Albertown G/Town or call 610-0340.

Exist for Security Officers, Male & Female. 18yrs & above. Contact: 223-4172/ 632-0099 For truck drivers, must know how to operate Hiab & have knowledge of Georgetown.

Call: 223-5273-4/621-5907 Exists for Porters. Call: 2235273-4/621-5907 Experienced carpenter & apprentice. Contact: 624-9507/ 624-9509/624-9508.

Maintenance workers & labourers to work with P.S.G.C.S. Preferably from E.B.D. Call: 621-6969/6157784.

Immediate vacancy exists for One female cashier to work@Del Ice Co.Call:6429191,231-1408 between 8AM-1PM. Pump Attendant/Cashier, shifts (6AM-2PM & 2PM10PM).ShellStation ProvidenceE.B.D, email: Shellramsburg@gmail.com.

The Ministry of Health has recorded thus far an alarming 14,786 Malaria cases from a total of 61,663 tests for the year, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said.

He said the government is going all out to fight the disease. However, the Health Ministry is teaming up with a number of international organisations and universities to carry out studies aimed at reducing the spread of Malaria across the regions.

“So we have collaboration right now with the Harvard School of Public Health. They are helping us to do a number of studies as it relates to transmission of Malaria, modeling the disease and using new techniques to understand how to reduce transmission,” Minister Anthony explained.

He said funding for the studies is being done by Gates Foundation. Government has also partnered with Oxford University and the University of Cape Town to assist Guyana in its elimination of Malaria.

“We want to understand whether that is happening in Guyana, as it did in other parts of the world, and if it is happening, then we’ll have to change our treatment schedules to make sure that whatever medicines we’re using are effective in eliminating Malaria,” Minister Anthony said.

Minister Anthony further explained that a customised approach has been adopted to combat the disease especially in Regions Seven and Nine, which have a high prevalence of Malaria.

“You know, very often when we apply our malaria strategy, we tend to have a one size fits all but the peculiarities of the region might

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony not allow for such an approach to work properly and so what we’ve done is to customise an approach in Region Nine and in Region Seven for the elimination of Malaria and we have been implementing that.”

Meanwhile, the Government has been working along with the International Office for Migration (IOM) to access hard-to-reach communities.

“And we are subcontracting them on the global funding grant that we currently have.

So, they are going to help us

to train people in those communities to work with them on Malaria elimination activity,” Minister Anthony noted.

The Health Ministry recently embarked on the distribution of insecticide impregnated bed nets, to further prevent the transmission of the dreaded disease. Additionally, 57,076 bed nets have so far been distributed in Regions One, Seven and Nine and an additional 74,000 will be distributed in various parts of the country before the end of the year.

Manickchand promises Pfizer vaccine roll out for children 5-11 soon

VACANCY Immediate vacancy exists for male workers @Del Ice Co.Call:231-1408/642-9191 One general domestic.Must be able to prepare vegetarian meal.Apply at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.

225-5800/623-1615.

Senior & Sales Clerk,Cashier with 4 years working experience. Apply at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.

Trained Grade 1 & 2 teachers needed. Payment will commence with experience and will be in 6 digit,6231615.

For porters & lorry driver.

Apply at Alabama Trading.

Tel:225-5800.

Experienced Manager/Supervisor needed.Send application to Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.Tel:225-5800.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand More than 100,000 students in nursery and primary schools could be vaccinated soon with the US-made Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines as government presses for a full return to face-to-face classes for all levels of students.

A lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine has been recommended for use in children ages 5 to 11 years old in the United States of America (USA) and Guyana is seeking to roll out this vaccine to children once the US starts its campaign. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand confirmed that this vaccine would

soon be administered to children in this age group. Currently, children between 12 and 18 are receiving these Pfizer vaccines.

Meanwhile, Minister Manickchand told members of the media that there are some of 84,000 primary school students and 27,000 nursery school students. Not all of those students will be eligible for vaccination nonetheless, “We want our kids back in the classroom,” Minister Manickchand stated, noting that the local authorities are pushing for a full return to face-to-face classes.

Monday November 08, 2021

Education Ministry blames Covid-19 for decline in CSEC pass rate Guyana has topped the Caribbean in 20 of the 33 subjects written at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination with 75% of its students receiving Grades 1-3 when compared to the Region’s 68%, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand told members of the media on Friday.

She however said the decline in some pass rates was as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the elongated electoral crisis. Statistics released by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson, revealed that outstanding performances were recorded in Agricultural Science (Double Award) with 93.14% of the students receiving Grades 1-3; Information Technology (92.59%), Physical Education and Sports (99.28%) and Theatre Arts, 100%.

Moreover, improved performance was evident in four subjects and remained constant in six subjects.

Guyana’s pass rates in English A and Mathematics declined when compared to 2020. The Education Ministry revealed that English A declined from 77.76% in 2020 to 67.72% in 2021 while Math-

Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson ematics moved from a pass rate of 43% in 2019 and 48.36% in 2020 to 31.6% in 2021. It was pointed out too that performances declined in all the sciences except for Human and Social Biology.

Chemistry recorded a pass rate of 60.94% in 2021 as against 71.6 % in 2020. Physics moved from a pass rate of 80.63% in 2020 to 61.99% in 2021.

Integrated Science recorded a pass rate of 68.58% in 2021 as against 79.75% in 2020.

Business subjects including Office Administration and Electronic Documentation

Preparation and Management recorded a decline in performance as well.

Minister Manickchand said while Guyana by topping the Caribbean in 20 of the 33 subjects has done extraordinary well in the circumstances, the country can do much better should there be a return to the classroom.

Minister Manickchand reiterated that 2021 has taught many lessons, among them, that the sole use of technology for education delivery is not as effective as one would have thought, not necessarily because of the lack of infrastructure and or poor internet services, but because there are serious limitations and distractions.

She also indicated that in the interest of the nation’s children, there must be a safe return to the classroom but that would only be possible if teachers, parents and students are fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

“We must advise ourselves and avail ourselves individually and collectively of the necessity to get vaccinated and use the vaccines that are available to the government,” she said.

Ministry reopens applications for home improvement subsidies The Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Friday reopened applications for home improvement subsidies.

Applications will close on 7th of February 2022. This was announced during a press conference at the ministry’s sub-office on Camp Street Georgetown.

The total amount allocated for the provision of improvement subsidies is US$5 million. Successful applicants will receive up to $500,000, which will be given in the form of construction materials to repair walls, roofs, floors and other parts of homes. “When families lack adequate housing, the effects in general can be devastating,” Housing Minister Colin Croal related.

The Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves noted that some 2,000 home improvement subsidies have been earmarked under the programme. During the first tranche of the project a total of 354 subsidies were approved, 236 for Sophia residents and 118 to residents in Parfait Harmonie, leaving

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Kaieteur News

Minister of Housing, Colin Croal

room for some 1,764 eligible applicants who can now benefit.

Interested applicants must reside in the respective project areas and must be a citizen of Guyana. They must also demonstrate that they are currently living in an un-habitable home which may require repairs. Applicants must also be 21 years and above and have possession of their own property that is fully paid for.

Persons can access these

forms at the CH&PA’s headquarters which is located at 41Brickdam, Georgetown or the ministry’s sub-office at 237 Camp Street, Georgetown, Guyana. “The interventions that are being made are intended to target the poor and the vulnerable.

This is timely as it is also part of the means of reducing the incidence of the housing instability that challenges many of our communities,” the Minister said.

Bogus meter readers remanded

Remanded:Jaleel Thomas Two men who had allegedly posed as meter readers of Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), to commit a robbery were on Friday remanded to prison.

The defendants, Jose Fraser, 25, a porter of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Jaleel Thomas of Cinema Street, Diamond, were jointly charged with attempting to commit a felony to wit robbery when they appeared at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court.

Thomas and Fraser on Monday November 1, had allegedly faked their identities as GPL meter readers to rob a woman in her Covent Garden

Remanded: Jose Fraser.

home on the East Bank of Demerara but their plan was foiled by her alert neighbours.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charge, but will remain behind bars until their next court appearance on January 3, 2022.

Kaieteur News was also informed that one of the defendants was also charged separately for robbery under arms. That defendant was wanted by police for a previous robbery he had allegedly committed.

According to reports the suspects were caught by a police constable and an officer attached to the Guyana Revenue (GRA) on Monday

November 1. The lawmen intercepted the suspects after Covent Garden residents notified them that the duo had just attempted to rob their neighbour.

Police had reported that the suspects after introducing themselves as GPL meter readers, tried to force their victim into her house while demanding valuables. She reportedly began to shout “thief”.

This alerted her neighbours who began to scream as well. The suspected bandits were forced to abort their plan and ran away but the residents chased behind them.

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Monday November 08, 2021

Kaieteur News

30 Region Nine women participate in ‘Human Services’ awareness session

The training in Region Nine recently saw approximately 30 participants.

A

PPROXIMATELY 30 women from villages all across Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) participated in training and gender awareness sessions by the Ministry of Human Services through the Regional Gender Affairs Committee (RGAC) during an outreach to the region recently.

The forum saw women from Tabatinga, St. Ignatius, Culvert City and Karasabai, among several other villages, the ministry said in a press release. The training was conducted by the Gender Affairs Bureau (GAB) of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

The women were in favour of the idea by RGAC to form groups in the various villages to help them deal with a number of social issues that they were very vocal about.

They were able to voice their frustration about a number of

issues raised at the meeting.

Subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud earlier this year pledged to improve the delivery of assistance to vulnerable groups across the country and had announced strategic programmes to target social issues specific to the regions.

“It is imperative that we establish an action plan to accomplish effective service delivery and programs that will have tangible impact across the country and troubleshoot the problems as a collective group. Engaging groups in each region allows us to understand their peculiar needs and work to address them efficiently including people and communities every step of the way,” Dr. Persaud said.

According to the Ministry’s Senior Gender Affairs Officer Hymawattie Lagan, some of the concerns raised during the outreach are the escalation of teenage

pregnancy in the villages, unemployment due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the need for recreational facilities to cater for villagers, especially youths.

Training for young women and girls in Information Technology (IT) and early childhood education were also discussed and according to Lagan, the Ministry’s WIIN program is poised to deliver in those areas.

“We spoke about the formation of youth groups in the villages that would engage youths in a number of activities and assist in the reduction of some of the social issues. This group would be headed by a young female police officer supported by two other young women - a business woman and the footballer,” Lagan shared.

Furthermore, arising from the RGAC training, mentoring was discussed and its

Teen among four charged for allegedly killing Parika man On Friday, a 16-year-old boy was among four persons charged for allegedly killing Trevor Allen of Parika Façade, East Bank Essequibo.

Last Sunday, Allen was murdered at a shop in the Parika Façade area moments after imbibing alcohol with his brothers. The defendants, Eashwar Sookdeo, 26, Chaitram Persaud, 23, and Navindra Sugrim, 18, all from Parika Façade were arraigned in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Zameena Ali-Seepaul where the indictable charge was read to them.

The men were not required to plead to the charge which states that on October 31, at Parika Façade they murdered Allen. They were all remanded to prison and are expected to reappear in court on December 9, 2021.

Meanwhile, the teen was

charged separately and he too was not required to plead to the charge. He was then remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre and will reappear in court on December 9.

A fifth suspect, Davin Persaud, 28, had reportedly committed suicide just three days after the incident. Sometime around 01:15hrs last Wednesday, he passed away at the Skeldon Public Hospital after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance.

It was reported that around 20:30hrs on October 31, Allen was chopped and stabbed several times by the five men after a heated argument had ensued between him and one of them. That one suspect reportedly held onto Allen and cuffed him to his face, which resulted in a scuffle between them. During that fight, the other suspects turned up with a cutlass and

knives and started attacking Allen. One of his brothers, Harvey Allen tried to rescue him but he too was attacked by the men.

According to police reports, after receiving a chop to his back, Harvey sought refuge in a nearby canal where he watched the men continued their murderous attack on his brother. Harvey managed to raise an alarm with residents who then summoned the police.

But by the time ranks arrived, the suspects had already fled the scene. On their arrival at the scene, detectives saw Allen lying motionless with five stab wounds about the region of his abdomen and a chop wound to his forehead.

He was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Human Services Minister, Dr. Vindyha Persaud has been encouraging women across Guyana to form themselves into groups to help with social ills, and even for business. benefits to the residents.

RGAC member Claire Singh has taken on this responsibility with other members providing support.

According to Lagan, women from the various villages have

agreed to form their groups and submit a list to the GAB. This they hope to accomplish by the end of 2021, depending on the COVID pandemic.

Persons who were vaccinated attended the forum and spoke

about the safety of the vaccines, encouraging persons to be vaccinated.

The GAB plans to return to Region Nine in the first quarter of 2022 to continue training.

Covid-19 death toll moves to 942

- Region Six woman latest fatality The Ministry of Health has reported that a 58-year-old woman from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, has died.

As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 942. According to the Ministry, the woman was a fully vaccinated patient who died on Saturday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, in its latest edition of the COVID-19 dashboard, the Health Ministry recorded 101 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 36,180. Out of the number of confirmed cases, 19,082 persons are women while 17,098 are men. Presently, there are 11 patients admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 73 persons in institutional isolation, 2,562 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine.

To date, a total of 32,592 persons who contracted the virus have recovered.

Climate change risks will be addressed based on...

From page 8 point) and during the drought in April 2015 potable water had to be trucked into communities in Regions One and Nine.

Guyana has been described as being ‘particularly vulnerable’ to climate change because of high levels of exposure and sensitivity to climate risks and limited capacity to adapt.Kaieteur News recently reported that worrying details from a Climate Central map illustrates that Georgetown, Guyana, and eight other cities worldwide are forecast to be under water by 2030, due to the rising sea level stemming from climate change.It was reported that the area projected to be under water by 2030 is where 90 percent of Guyana’s

population reside. It was also stated that for centuries Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, has relied on sea walls – or, more accurately, one gigantic, 280-mile long sea wall, for protection.The

sea wall is Georgetown’s main defence because most of the coastline is between 0.5 and one metre below high tide. With more than half of the country’s population in danger, it was stated that the country will need to bolster its sea wall substantially if Georgetown’s central areas are to avoid massive damage.Other cities on the list of being submerged by 2030 are:

Amsterdam, Netherlands; Basra, Iraq; New Orleans, USA; Venice, Italy; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Kolkata, India; Bangkok, Thailand and Savannah, Georgia, USA.

Monday November 08, 2021

Kaieteur News

New LCDS talks up mangrove restoration …promises improved forest, eco-system conservation in Guyana’s climate change fight The restoration of mangrove swamps (mangroves), conservation of the forests as well as the eco-systems are all essential to helping Guyana achieve its 2030 Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and ultimate Climate Change goals. This is outlined in the draft copy of Guyana’s proposed LCDS for 2030. The document which was released to the public for consultation last month, proposes a version of Guyana’s LCDS that builds on both the insights gained during the national consultation as well as on the progress made within the international framework for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+).

It sets out how Guyana can provide the world with a working example of how immediate action can stimulate the creation of a low-deforestation, low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. The document notes, in this regard, that Guyana‘s mangroves play a special role in the LCDS. The document specifies that in addition to providing a number of important services that range from the protection of the country’s coastal plain, to supporting biodiversity habitats, mangroves provide an important function in sequestering significant amounts of carbon, designated ‘Blue Carbon4’, which is of particular importance to the REDD+ programme.

However, despite covering 0.7% of total land area and having an estimated value of $1.6 billion annually on global level, it notes that “mangrove deforestation accounts for an estimated 10% of emissions worldwide.”

As a result, the data states that blue carbon ecosystems produced by mangroves are an important resource to be protected, expanded and or restored. In Guyana, there have been significant strides in the protection of mangroves through the Mangrove Restoration Project. This project allowed for the establishment of national administrative capacity to manage mangroves in Guyana and focused efforts on mangrove restoration, community-based mangrove management as well as public awareness.

As such, towards achieving its 2030 goals, the document noted that Guyana will intensify efforts at mangrove restoration and management. According to the document, the LCDS seeks to further explore the blue carbon potential in Guyana, focusing on Guyana’s mangroves in the initial stages. To this end, the expansion and restoration of mangrove forests in Guyana is a planned outcome.

In the interim, the LCDS 2030 draft proposal notes that mangroves plays a key role in Guyana‘s coastal protection. The data points specifically to the ability of mangroves to form a resilient green infrastructure that serves as the foundation of an entire, highly productive ecosystem.

As such, the document explained that “…While their [mangroves] unique roots capture and consolidate soil, they become critical nurseries for commercially and ecologically important marine life, and their tangles of branches provide vital habitats for thousands of other species.”

It continued “… mangroves provide crucial protection from storm-surges, flooding and erosion… Their ability to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change, mangroves store as much as four times the carbon of an equal area of inland rainforest and most of it is in the soil, held fast by their roots. Increased mangrove cover will increase benefits for Guyana in the LCDS.” In addition to the mangroves, the LCDS 2030 draft notes that conservation of forest carbon stock is also a key component of REDD+, with protected areas and other area-based conservation measures needed to achieve this. In this regard, the draft document noted that the establishment of protected areas is an important component of Guyana’s LCDS. Guyana‘s Protected Areas Commission (PAC) was established in 2012 following the passage of the Protected Areas Act in 2011. The PAC has oversight of management of Guyana’s National Protected Areas System (NPAS), with responsibility for further expansion of the NPAS. Guyana’s NPAS, which currently comprises approximately 8.4% of Guyana’s land area, comprises a mix of urban and hinterland protected areas.

These protected areas include the Iwokrama forest, Shell Beach Protected Area, Kanuku Mountains Protected Area, Kaieteur National Park and the Kanashen Community-owned Conservation Area; the urban parks include the National Park, Botanical Gardens, Zoological Park and Joe Vieira Park.

The role of the PAC includes monitoring and the regulation of resource use within Protected Areas (PAs); preparation and implementation of management plans; support to Amerindian preparation and implementation of management plans; associated with protected areas and public awareness and involvement.

An aerial view of Guyana’s mangrove plantation along the coastal belt.

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Monday November 08, 2021

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Verstappen wins Mexico City Grand Prix...

From page 24 gawping at the long run into Turn 1 - the longest opening drag in the world, literally halfa-mile long. It offered a tow but not as good a one as the layout might suggest. Being stuck 8,000ft above sea level, thin air mitigated the possibilities.

Off they went. Hamilton reacted fast. He was on the right-hand of the road. Bottas had got himself stuck in the middle - his error - as the three frontrunners went wheel to wheel for 200 yards or so.

Verstappen did not blink.

He broke so ludicrously late it was clearly evident to the naked eye, as if rewriting the rules of physics. He zoomed through as if on rails and powered on to his ninth victory of the season. Who can begrudge him his maiden

title if this captivating season of twists and turns finally honours his talent?

No sooner was Verstappen in front that he was immediately handed another test when Bottas clipped McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo front wing at Turn 2. Those behind took evasive action. The participation of AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Haas’ Michael Schumacher ended on the spot. Bottas was plunged down the field and set about an ignominious climb up the field, one that was hampered by a 12-second stop later on while lying 11th.

The safety car came out to clear up the debris and this left Verstappen needing to defend his lead once the race restarted four laps later. He did this expertly, launching

himself out of the slow Foro Sol Stadium section and into the straight. By the time he crossed the line, he was ninetenths ahead of Hamilton.

Goodnight, sweetheart.

Verstappen roared away, only to be denied the fastest lap at the death by Bottas, who finished 15th. ‘These guys are obviously too fast for us,’ said Hamilton, who fell 10 seconds back during his first stint. Big in his mirrors was the second Red Bull, of Perez, the local favourite whose cause was nosily cheered by the jumping and joyful 140,000 crowd.

In truth, it was a largely dull race, jeopardy mostly absent, but after a year of so much gripping drama we can hardly complain. If there is one thing we have learned over 15 seasons is that Lewis

Monday November 08, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Don't let other people's arguments get in the way of your truth. Don't doubt yourself. Stop worrying. Don't be disgruntled if you aren't fitting in with whatever is going on around you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) There's an incredible activation urging you to take hold.

You may have many different projects brewing and be unsure where to focus your energy. Don't feel like you need to make a decision now.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may work hard today to balance powerful forces.

You may be torn between a lust for adventure and a need for communication.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There's a powerful tension in the air today. This is a great force you can tap into and capitalize on. Communication can help expand key aspects of your life. Stretch beyond your current boundaries and don't sell yourself short.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) The extreme passion that rules you may meet opposition today as more information appears. Communication may color the scene differently than you pictured in your head.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may feel pressured to make an important, decisive move today. Expansive options are coming into focus.

You may experience opposition as you stand up for what you believe.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You won't have any idea how to fight if you don't know who your enemies are.

Keep an eye out for people who try to bring you down.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A strong transforming force may be pulling you in opposite directions now. Longterm trends are coming to a climax.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Try not to approach everything negatively. By doing so you may cut yourself off from incredible opportunities. This is a time to be expansive. Spread your wings and feel free to lift off the ground.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may be indirectly affected by a struggle. A heated debate having to do with mistaken communication and extreme emotions might devastate your psyche unless you keep up your defenses.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Long-term trends are lining up in your favor. You're at a pivotal point in which you can latch onto something big and take off with it. Let your dreams expand. Telling people how to run their lives will get you nowhere.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Use today's electric feeling to fuel your passion. A subtle tension has been building for some time.

You've reached a critical turning point. Don't shy away from adventure because you fear failure.

Max Verstappen sealed a comfortable win at the 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix. Red Bull Content Pool never gives up. He is as tough a competitor was you could ever imagine, but it now looks increasingly likely that even his remarkable abilities will be no match to Verstappen and his machinery.

His defeat a fortnight ago in Austin, where Mercedes were meant to be strong, was telling if not fatal. Next up, on Sunday, is the undulating Interlagos track in Sao Paulo, 2,500ft above sea level and

also well-suited to the Red Bulls.

If Hamilton should fail to win there what hope has he in final three rounds in the Middle East of springing an unforgettable act of escapology?

The Briton has won just one race since the summer break, in Russia, and ‘only’ five times all season. The maths and the momentum are ganging up on him.

Flex Lewis Pays Tribute...

From page 22 friend of which the two had planned to meet up today, a day after news of his passing. “This has taken several hours to write/ rewrite deleted.

Why am I writing another obituary for another close friend.

We only yesterday spoke about plans to meet up today, after 3wks on the road I was looking forward to catching up with my friend.” The two were apparently inseparable when together and they’ve shared some special moments together including winning the Olympia trophy and each having daughters close in age. ”I took the call about Shawn’s passing at 2am and not slept since. All day I have tried to make head n tails of it, but I started to think of some the wonderful memories I had with Shawn, we traveled the world competing together, working expos, shows, guest posing and I will hold on to them memories dearly.

My heart goes out to his daughter who is around the same age as Adiena I have posted photos of our last win together were we got to celebrate with our Olympia trophies and our biggest trophies our daughters.”

Flex too believes there needs to be more health checkups and preventative measures taken for athletes as there’ve certainly been too many bodybuilding deaths as of recent.

Once Classic Physique and more recently 212 competitor George Peterson died right before the 2021 Olympia which was incredibly unexpected. ”I do agree that something needs to be done for the future, too many athletes are not having regular health checks, I feel lives can be saved if something is implemented or you can’t compete.

We lost a good man today, a friend, a father and a champion, I say this with great sadness but I feel this life could of been saved.”

Kaieteur News

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Monday November 08, 2021

Nicaragua, Bermuda open CMU20Q Guyana to be with wins in CMU20Q more offensive in their match against USVI today

Stefan Jones # 16 delivered the dramatic winner for Bermuda in Group C match against Barbados.

Miami, Florida – The 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship Qualifiers continued on Saturday with action in Group C and Group D. Bermuda and Barbados played out a thrilling affair in Group C in which there were two goals in second half stoppage time, with Bermuda taking the three points in a 3-2 win.

Kevon Lucas (35’) had Barbados in front first, but Bermuda rallied with goals from Jarryd Richardson (38’) and Keyni Mills (41’) to take a 2-1 lead that held until the final minutes.

Barbados thought they had grabbed a draw with a goal from Zuhri Morris in the

90+1’, but just a minute later in the 90+2’ Stefan Jones delivered the dramatic winner.

Also, of note in Group C was that the match between Puerto Rico and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines did not take place due to Puerto Rico failing to produce the required Covid19 PCR test in compliance with the competition’s regulations.

Per competition regulations, the match was declared a forfeit of 3-0 in favor of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Group D kicked off with a hard-fought contest between Guyana and Cayman Islands that ended in a 0-0 draw, with

Guyana playing the final 32 minutes with 10 men due to a red card for Yohance Douglas.

The stars on the day were the two GKs in action, as Guyana’s Ronaldo Blair and Cayman Islands counterpart Leandre Mckay each made a number of big saves to secure a point for their side.

Sitting atop Group D at present is Nicaragua following their 7-0 triumph over U.S. Virgin Islands.

Keylon Batiz (7’, 25’) and Jareck Caceres (27’, 80’) each had a brace, while Widman Talavera (33’), Manuel Gutierrez (36’) and Darwin Corrales (84’) chipped in with scores.

Head Coach of the ‘Golden Jaguars’ Under20 team which is on duty in the USA at the 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship Qualifiers, Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover has promised that his charges would be more offensive minded in their second game against the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) today from 16:00hrs.

The Guyanese are in need of a win in Group D action since Nicaragua romped to a comfortable 7-0 win over the USVI to be at the top of the group and will no doubt want to build on their 0-0 draw with Cayman Islands on Saturday.

Dover indicated that they’re looking at the possibility of starting a more attacking team as they go in search of more goals in order to build a solid goal difference.

The lead tactician r e v i e w e d t h e t e a m ’s performance against Cayman Islands: “The game against Cayman Islands was a competitive battle, one that we expected knowing them from the 2018 tournament and what they were expected

to bring to the table. Our programme that started approximately six weeks ago was timely to get us up to the level we were at yesterday (Saturday).

The courage shown by our lads despite playing the last 30 minutes of the game with 10 men is commendable.

We have to take notice of the fact this is a relatively very young team with more than 50% with no international exposure and experience, so it was a very big ask of them and they stood up and they should be patted on their shoulders and be told well done lads.

With regards to performance, Dover relayed: “The performance of the game could be viewed two ways. 1. Individually not all the players performed as the staff would have liked them to, but taking into consideration it was the first time at this stage for many of them, I would think other factors come into play, like nervousness and getting use to the big stage of International football. 2.

While the group didn’t play with total cohesion,

especially in our offensive build up, collectively the group fought hard to prevent a defeat.

One thing we were guarding against was to not have the players trying to play through the captain only, which we saw became something of the day in the game.

A little more team play would have seen a better situation for us.

In terms of qualification Dover posited: “Every team enter every tournament with an aim to qualify for the latter stage and possibly win the tournament. In this case we wanted to qualify for the Concacaf Championship next year.

Yesterday’s (Saturday) result although we didn’t get the win we were in search for, a draw gives us one point and with two more games to play, six points from those games would send us to 7 points.

In the other two games, while our primary objective is to win and get three points, we have to start to look at the possibility of scoring goals to help with the qualification to the next round.

Flex Lewis Pays Tribute To Late Shawn Rhoden

Flex Lewis (right) and the late Shawn Rhoden in happier times.

FitnessVolt - The recent death of 2018 Mr. Olympia winner Shawn Rhoden was a shock to the bodybuilding community, to say the least.

According to multiple sources, his death was likely caused by a heart attack. ”Flexatron” was no doubt one of the greatest Open competitors in history. While

his career was cut short by serious accusations following his Olympia victory, there’s no doubt he would’ve been continued to be a top threat in the division.

At just 46 years old, he went was too soon. Not to mention, it was possible he would’ve competed again at some point. Many have paid

tribute to the late champion including many champions such as Phil Heath and Brandon Curry, and even more recently 7x 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis who was close with S h a w n R h o d e n .

Flex took to Instagram with a message to honor his close (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Monday November 08, 2021

PAGE 25

All-star New Zealand knock out Afghanistan and India The new Executive Committee of East Bank Cricket Association with President Puneeth Jaigopaul, seated 3rd left.

ESPNcricinfo - New Zealand were clinical. As they have now made the semi finals of four World Cups in a row (including ODI World Cups), this is perhaps not surprising.

Needing a win to ensure themselves a place in the final four, they produced what turned out to be a match-winning powerplay.

Kane Williamson cycled his three quicks - Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Adam Milne - through the first six overs, giving them two apiece.

They each claimed a wicket, and helped keep Afghanistan to less than four an over while the fielding restrictions were in operation.

Afghanistan recovered s l i g h t l y, t h r o u g h a Najibullah Zadran halfcentury, but apart from one 19-run over against Mitchell S a n t n e r, n e v e r r e a l l y managed to find momentum after that awful start. They spluttered their way to 124 for 8, and were always going to struggle to defend it.

In response, New Zealand strode to 45 for 1 at the end of their powerplay, and then Kane Williamson and Devon Conway came together to stroll to the finish - their unbeaten 68-run stand taking up 56 balls, even as the side won with 11 balls to spare.

With this win they have not only ended Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes, but also those of India, whom they had beaten earlier in the tournament. New Zealand quicks scythe through Afghanistan’s top order Afghanistan banked on their attack when they chose to bat first, with mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman back in the lineup after recovering from injury.

They needed a decent batting Powerplay, though, and could hardly have done any worse.

Mohammad Shahzad was the first to go, trying to larrup an Adam Milne bouncer over third man, and managing only to send an edge through to wicketkeeper Conway (who did excellently to get a glove

New Zealand players celebrating.

behind it, and complete the catch on the second rebound), in the third over.

Trent Boult then had Hazratullah Zazai caught at short midwicket. Soon after, Tim Southee had Rahmanullah Gurbaz lbw.

After six overs, Afghanistan were 23 for 3, and had struck

just three boundaries - one of which was an unintentional top edge.

Afghanistan fizzle at the death - Despite the start, Afghanistan did recover slightly through the middle period, through a 37-run stand between Najibullah Zadran and Gulbadin Naib,

then a 59-run partnership between Najibullah and Mohammad Nabi. But they could not fire at the death.

In the last six overs, Afghanistan managed just 37 runs, as they lost four wickets. Trent Boult picked up two dismissals in his final over to end with the game’s

best figures, of 3 for 17.

New Zealand ace the chase - It didn’t need much chasing, really. At no point did New Zealand seem rushed. Mujeeb struck at the start of the fourth over, when a carrom ball that didn’t really turn caught Daryl Mitchell’s outside edge, but Afghanistan really needed a couple more wickets in the Powerplay if they were really going to challenge N e w Z e a l a n d .

Instead, Kane Williamson came out and played an icecool innings, almost never taking a risk, working the singles, striking only the occasional boundary, as he strolled to 40 not out off 42.

Conway’s stay was not quite as assured, but despite having nicked a ball early in his innings (Afghanistan barely appealed), made his way to 36 not out off 32. The whole thing was drama-free.

New Zealand 125 for 2 (Williamson 40*, Conway 36*) beat Afghanistan 124 for 8 (Najibullah 73, Boult 317, Southee 2-24) by eight wickets.

Kaieteur News

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Monday November 08, 2021

Pakistan crush Scotland in fifth straight win to set up Australia semi-final We did it. GettyImages

ICC - Pakistan produced a dominant performance in their final Super 12 game to brush Scotland aside in Sharjah and finish top of Group 2 with five wins from five. Captain Babar Azam was in the runs again for his side, hitting a glorious 66 off 47, with quickfire contributions from Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez, helping Pakistan to a sizeable total of 189/4.

And in reply, Scotland survived but got a little stuck against the quality of Pakistan’s attack, reaching just 117/6 still 72 runs short.

Pakistan’s fifth straight win means they qualify top of Group 2, ahead of New Zealand, who beat Afghanistan earlier in the day to seal their own q u a l i f i c a t i o n .

They will face Australia in the second semi-final in Dubai on Thursday, with the Black Caps playing England a day earlier in Abu Dhabi.

Scotland end bottom of

Group 2 after five defeats, but will take heart from a Round 1 performance that included a win over Bangladesh and their resulting qualification for the next ICC Men’s T20 W o r l d C u p .

Solid start in the Powerplay - Openers Mohammad Rizwan and Azam got Pakistan off to a solid start, before Rizwan edged a flighted Hamza Tahir delivery to the keeper.

But the skipper kept the momentum going, hitting one particularly spectacular six out of the stadium, as he built a platform for his team.

Fakhar Zaman’s stay in the middle came to an end when he miscued a Chris Greaves delivery to Michael Leask as his disappointing run of form continued. But Babar was still out in the middle at the midway point of the innings as Pakistan reached 60/2.

Babar’s brilliance - The Pakistan skipper punished Scotland through the middle

overs before finally falling for an outstanding 66 in the 18th over – an innings that featured eight boundaries and some glorious s t r o k e p l a y .

Azam’s knock takes him above Jos Buttler as the highest run-scorer of the tournament so far, with 264 runs from five innings. And the Pakistan captain’s halfcentury was his fourth of the Super 12 stage. That remarkable consistency means he is one of only three players in the history of men’s T20 World Cups to score four 50s at a tournament, joining Matthew Hayden and Virat Kohli in an elite club.

Remarkable death hitting Pakistan were already on course for a decent total, but that became a monster total when first Hafeez and then Malik went big to punish Scotland in dramatic fashion.

Hafeez’s 31 off 19 upped the scoring rate through the

middle overs before he fell in the 15th. But Malik’s onslaught was on another level, with Scotland having no answer to the veteran’s power.

Malik hit three maximums in the final over to record his own halfcentury, reaching 54 off just 18 balls in a masterful display of power-hitting.

The stunning effort is the fastest 50 scored by a Pakistan player in T20

i n t e r n a t i o n a l s .

Scotland’s stuttering chase - Scotland’s opening pair survived the early threat of Shaheen Shah Afridi, but struggled to get going under immense pressure from Pakistan’s attack. And the need to score ultimately did for Coetzer, who went for a big shot in the sixth over and connected with just air as Hasan Ali’s slower ball clattered into the stumps.

Matthew Cross was run out at the non-striker’s end to compound Scotland’s issues, as they were tied down to just 41/2 in ten overs.

Pakistan close it out - A double strike by Shadab Khan straight after the drinks break only strengthened Pakistan’s control of the chase. Opener George Munsey had been denied his preferred sweep shot during a patchy 17 off 31, and edged

to short third going for a big shot off the first ball of the 1 1 t h o v e r .

And Dylan Budge went two balls later without scoring, cleaned up by a googly.

Afridi returned to remove Leask with a full and straight ball that sent the bails flying through the air like the sparks from a roman candle.

And Haris Rauf completed a terrific day for Pakistan with the wicket of Chris Greaves in the final over as Scotland finished six down. Richie Berrington was the standout performer with the bat for Scotland to give his side something to be proud of on the final day of their tournament, finishing unbeaten on 54.

Pakistan 189 for 4 (Babar 66, Malik 54*) beat S c o t la n d 11 7 f o r 6 (Berrington 54*, Shadab 214) by 72 runs.

Verstappen wins Mexico City Grand Prix to extend gap to second-placed Hamilton MailOnline - It was a fleeting moment of highspeed magic, a controlled piece of machismo in Mexico City - and it might just symbolise the beginning of the end of Lewis Hamilton’s dreams of an eighth world title.

The perpetrator of the move at the first corner was, of course, Max Verstappen, the 2 4 - y e a r- o l d R e d B u l l hotshot, who took the victory, a place ahead of Hamilton, and now leads the standings by 19 points with four races - and 107 points remaining.

While acknowledging Verstappen’s bravura dart at the right-hander, we must alas, finger a culprit:

Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who started on pole and then forgot to do the job he is paid £8million a year to carry out.

Namely to perform as the perfect No 2 to Hamilton and, at the crucial juncture Saturday, to fulfil the role of rear gunner.

No, he gifted the racing line to Verstappen. It was an opportunity the Dutchman had dreamed of when he stated rather hopefully on Saturday night that starting third was preferable to the second spot occupied by Hamilton.

Beforehand, members of the F1 travelling circus had stood on the pit straight (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Monday November 08, 2021

PAGE 27

Minister Bharrat stresses the importance of discipline, hard work and education -BCB Patron Social Skills Seminars launched

Participants of the BCB Social Skills Seminar pose with Minister Bharrat Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Honorary Patron, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat on Saturday last hailed the outstanding work of the Board as he officially launched the first of four Social Skills Seminars being held under the BCB Patron Fund.

Speaking to an attentive group of forty-five youths at the New Amsterdam Secondary School, Minister Bharrat urged them to develop a culture of hard

work, discipline, commitment and to always remain humble despite how high they get in life.

Sharing that he is the proud Patron of a progressive cricket board, the Minister committed himself to working along with the Hilbert Foster led BCB to mould all of the County players into well rounded individuals, who would represent Guyana and the West Indies with honor.

Foster stated that the social skills seminars was the

brainchild of Bharrat, who had expressed concern over the standard of cricketers off the field in terms of basic mannerism, etiquette, public speaking and the balancing of education.

The first seminar which was attended by forty-five Under-19 youths drawn f r o m t h e N e w Amsterdam/Canje area would be followed by three others in West Berbice, Upper Corentyne and Lower C o r e n t y n e .

The BCB President

One of the Monday night scrimmages at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

disclosed that over 160 youths would benefit from the four seminars which would be conducted by graduates of the University of Guyana Social Workers Class and qualified personnel.

They include Marissa F o s t e r, S e e t a D a l l o o , Denicia Henry, Levi Nedd and Junior Blair. Foster urged the youths to take advantage of the opportunities being presented to them by the BCB and the Patron as it was

an investment in their future.

He noted that less than one percentage of youth players would go on to play for the West Indies and as such, the BCB wanted the remainder to still have a successful life.

Both President and Patron spoke widely of the dangers of illegal drugs, false friends and the negative influence of social media.

Among the topics covered at the six hour seminar were life skills training, basic mannerism, and etiquette, team building,

Harry, London triumph at MACORP Golf Tourney Ravendra Harry and Shanella London won their respective categories when the MACORP Golf tournament was contested on Saturday at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

Videsh Persaud and Rohan Albert were also in winners’ lane as they copped the 10-18 and 1 9 - 2 8 F l i g h t s , r e s p e c t i v e l y.

Harry shot 78 gross and 70 net to win the 0-9 flight ahead of Rakesh Harry with 80 gross and 71 net and Jaipaul Sukhnanan who managed 80 gross and 72 net. London had a gross score of 79 and a net of 71 to win the female segment and add to her collection of prizes, having won the Guyana Open just a

w e e k a g o .

Christine Sukhram shot 83 gross and 72 net to take the runner-up spot and Eureka Giddings was third with 101 gross and 75 net. Persaud had a gross score of 85 and a net of 68, while Mike Guyadin placed second with 78 gross and 68 net and Anand Persaud landed third after scoring 87 gross and 69 net.

Albert managed 95 gross and 71 net while Wayne Chan took the runner-up spot with a score of 100 gross and 72 net followed by Brain Hackette on 91 gross and 72 net. Kassin Khan had the best gross of 77 and Videsh Persaud the best net 68.

Guyana to field two Men’s teams at Hockey World Cup

F

or the first time in Guyana’s history, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) will have the opportunity to be represented at the World Masters Hockey World Cup that is scheduled to run from February 15th - 20th, 2022 in Virginia, USA. President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes, in an invited comment revealed that Guyana has entered in two teams; one each in the Over-40 and Over-50 Divisions.

Currently, a number of players are training locally, doing personal stick and

fitness exercises while everyone meet once a week to have scrimmage type practices at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) in preparation for the event.

In addition, there are a lot of overseas based players who are involved in competitive club hockey while others are getting fit for the competition but the final teams will be selected in early 2022.

The GHB is happy to be part of this tournament and aiming to be well represented in the two categories at the event.

problem solving, conflict resolution, public speaking, leadership, and balancing sports and education.

Minister Bharrat involved each of the participants in public speaking by getting each one of them to introduced themselves.

Former BCB Secretary Mortimer George also prepared a comprehensive ten page document on the history of Guyana and West Indies cricket which was distributed to all of the participants.

Respective prize winners with their accolades.

Kane Williamson and Devon Conway’s unbeaten 68-run stand took New Zealand home AFP/Getty Images

Pakistan crush Scotland in fifth straight win to set up Australia semi-final

All-star New Zealand knock out Afghanistan and India

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were unspectacular in the powerplay © AFP/Getty Images

Verstappen wins Mexico City Grand Prix to extend gap to second-placed Hamilton

Guyana to be GFF delivers Elite Football more offensive in of their Training to hundreds match USVI today talentedagainst children across Guyana CMU20Q

t r o Sp

U-20 ‘Golden Jaguar’ Ofancy Winter (#19) battles this Cayman Islands’ player in their clash on Saturday afternoon.

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