Kaieteur News

K

Czech Republic slaps US$3.5B windfall tax on oil companies

Tuesday Edition

AIETEUR NEWS

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

November 08, 2022 - Vol. 15 No. 43

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 78,524

GRA struggles to find experts to beef up capacity to monitor oil costs Auditor General exposes lax waste management across hospitals Auditor General report reveals...

…as Jagdeo races ahead with more oil projects

- finds dirty needles with infectious waste everywhere in containers, bottles Storage of needles and other infectious medical waste

Syringes in coke bottles

‘Lines must be Corentyne drawn for all future Exxon man chops projects’ wife to death

- Yog Mahdeo says govt. throwing away guaranteed value for uncertain profits in new oil blocks

during row

Opposition Guyana and under fire EU to sign $1B for alleged forest pact attacks on NCN - funds aimed at cutting increase protected videographers deforestation, areas, create forest-related jobs

PAGE 02

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

PAGE 03

GRA struggles to find experts to beef up capacity to monitor oil costs Auditor General report reveals...

…as Jagdeo races ahead with more oil projects

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) appears to be struggling with efforts to find critical specialists to boost its capacity to monitor the country’s booming oil and gas sector.

This state of affairs was noted in the 2021 Auditor General’s Report that was tabled in the National Assembly yesterday.

GRA said its Petroleum Revenue Department had a staff complement of 31 officers as of August 2022.

In 2021, it said four staff was

recruited, while four staff had since resigned from the Department. The Authority said it has 36 vacancies to fill for the Department which is tasked with handling petroleum tax audits, value added tax refunds, objections and appeals, accounts management, and debt management. It is also responsible for programme, planning, risk management and tax advisory services.

Last year, GRA had said its Petroleum Revenue Department only had 26

specialists up to September 2021. It had also lamented the pains it experienced in trying to boost this number, even when it resorted to upskilling in-house personnel.

GRA said, “It has been found that because of better salaries in the private sector, some of these officers leave as soon as their training is completed, hence the need for improved remuneration.

Further, since this is a new section from which the future of the nation depends,

Czech Republic slaps US$3.5B windfall tax on oil companies BLOOMBERG - The Czech Republic imposed its first windfall tax on some of the biggest businesses to help finance energy subsidies without boosting government borrowing.

Lawmakers on Friday approved Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura’s proposal to slap a 60% “tax surcharge” on the main energy companies and banks. The levy will be in place for the next three years and target extraordinary profits caused by surging energy prices and high interest rates.

“I take no joy from the fact I’m introducing this tax,” Stanjura told the lower chamber of Czech parliament before the vote. “If circumstances allow, I will be the first to propose abolishing it.”

The bill is a key part of the center-right government’s strategy to ease the impact of

the worst cost-of-living crisis in three decades while still trying to wean the country off record pandemic-era budget deficits. After months of deliberations, the five-party ruling coalition agreed to subsidize electricity and natural gas bills, responding to signs of growing frustration among the public and calls for aid from companies.

The windfall tax should bring about 85 billion koruna ($3.5 billion) in extra budget revenue next year, according to Finance Ministry calculations. It said the European Union’s energy price caps will result in additional income of some 15 billion koruna in 2023.

The plan has caused friction between the government and businesses affected by the (Continued on page 9)

management of the GRA has been at pains to build a cadre of patriotic and learned officers that will be a shining light for others to follow.”

GRA said management therefore had moved to sources external to the GRA for qualified accountants, auditors and financial analysts.

It said too that the structure of the department also allows for a petroleum engineer (1engineer) and a cost recovery audit section (20 officers). No update was provided on this in the AG’s latest report.

Kaieteur News understands that the strategy deployed to effectively commission and staff the Petroleum Revenue Department entails training of officers from various audit functions throughout the Authority to build a repository of necessary skill sets and competencies.

In 2021, GRA said multiple training sessions were held by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to build capacity to administer domestic taxes within the oil and gas sector, including training in statutory interpretations, taxation of subsidiaries and external companies in Guyana, identifying the taxpayer and taxable sources

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia of income, risks to an understatement of chargeable income, and taxation of resident and nonresident companies.

In addition, there is the GRA’s Customs Petroleum Unit which is tasked with the monitoring and oversight of production, a responsibility which requires the staff of the Unit to be equipped and accommodated on board, the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. GRA said this Unit is headed by a Deputy Commissioner and 21 specialist staff in the areas of inventory monitoring, data analysis, oil lifting and export, exemptions, and entry processing.

The difficulties being experienced by GRA and many other regulatory bodies have been flagged as an area for concern since the government is still moving

full steam ahead with major development projects in the Stabroek Block.

In addition to the four major oil production projects already sanctioned, namely at Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two, Payara and Yellowtail, development plans are being streamlined for a fifth, called Uaru.

In addition to the aforementioned projects, the Guyana Government has reassured the international market that it will be hosting its first oil blocks auction by year end or the first quarter of 2023. That exercise will see 14 oil blocks going up for grabs and increasing the armada of ships offshore to be policed.

The foregoing activities, among several others, have left stakeholders worried about whether the country is biting off way more than it could chew.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

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

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

EDITORIAL

Use new projects to make Exxon pay more

W

e are encouraged that the Coalition Opposition has come out of the shadows on oil. The latest from the Opposition is that the PPPC Government must use the upcoming fifth oil project (Uaru) as a springboard for pressuring ExxonMobil to give Guyana more for its oil that means so much to the American company’s profits (“All future Exxon projects must adhere to new PSA terms …Norton backs AFC, others on issue”, KN November 7).

Though we have our disagreements with the Opposition (and Mr. Norton) on the pace and strength with which it has gone about pressing the PPPC Government to get more from ExxonMobil for our oil, we agree in principle with the stand now taken by the group. Getting more from future oil projects through skillful use of our approval process is close to our heart, which is what we have been calling for in this newspaper. We think that this is what Mr. Norton is saying, though in still guarded terms. The Government of Guyana, and its leaders, must use oil projects as leverage to extract more from ExxonMobil.

This means President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo, who can be assured of the backing of the main opposition parties.

If there is one issue, aside from the border controversy with Venezuela, that should unite Guyanese, then it is about getting more for our oil patrimony.

Opposition Leader Norton has repeatedly gone on record to insist that he is not for renegotiation per se. At the same time, he has asserted that he is in full support of any move, any thrust, any development, that puts more money in Guyana’s coffers, which should put more money, it follows, in the pockets of all Guyanese. It is helpful to repeat his exact words: “While I have stressed previously that I wouldn’t use the concept renegotiation, I have consistently argued that the Exxon contract has a mechanism in which the Government can engage Exxon and get better terms.” Our position is simple: what’s in a word or phrase, be it “the concept of renegotiation” or “engage…and get better terms”?

To get “better terms” means that there has to be some discussion, and if that discussion does not represent renegotiation, or some ingredient of it, we can still live with that, while we appreciate that Guyana’s Opposition may have to cross it t(s) and dot its (i)s. What is clear is that no political group and no Guyanese political leader in this country desire to come out too strong against ExxonMobil, and offend it.

For to do so, would be to offend powerful political forces in America. Again, given America’s historical and ongoing pivotal role in the political environment of this country, there is appreciation that both the PPPC Government and the Coalition Opposition are walking on eggshells with our oil wealth.

We don’t like it, but understand it, and try to coexist with it, as best as we can. It is why we favor what is coming out of the Opposition. Better terms on future contracts, making the best use of approvals of projects in the pipeline, and of which the fifth one (Uaru) is just a matter of weeks away. Those new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) terms announced

by Vice President Jagdeo, with much fanfare, must be put into action as the minimum standard (if not better) that applies.

We call upon Mr. Jagdeo for the Uaru project to be the proving ground for his new PSA. This new PSA must apply to ExxonMobil, and it must apply to the incredibly rich Stabroek Block, where the massive oil deposits are.

As Mr. Norton pointed out, America is “seeking better deals for its oil” and he is “thankful that Exxon invested” here. These are in keeping with what we have been saying all along, and on which we have been breaking ground almost daily right in these pages.

ExxonMobil must profit, but so, too, must the people of this country. New PSA terms must not be a “smokescreen” to hide the PPPC Government’s (and Mr. Jagdeo’s) resistance to renegotiating the oil contract. The new PSA terms must be the bottom floor to get much more for Guyana for its oil.

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Change Stabroek Oil Block contract too, proposals for new PSAs inadequate DEAR EDITOR, The VP has announced some better terms for new oil contracts (called Production Sharing Agreements – PSAs) for the tiny new blocks, but we must first fix all the problems with the biggest oil block – the Stabroek Block – with the most proven oil of 11+ billion barrels. I believe the Stabroek Block has a lot more oil than the oil companies are telling us. You cannot give away the largest block of oil cheaply, and want to impose improved terms for the smaller blocks only.

That is “penny wise, and pound foolish.” We need better terms for all our oil, gold, diamonds, timber, and all natural resources.

Years of bitch-slapping

by Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, and environmentalists have paid off.

The protests and advocacy have caused the PPP Government, which failed to renegotiate the oil contracts as promised during the elections to make some changes, although these are not comprehensive enough.

The Government knows failure to renegotiate the current worst contract in the world would bite it in places it does not want to be bitten.

But new, improved terms for the new blocks to be auctioned does not absolve the Government of fixing the ongoing bad contract that covers 11+ billion barrels of oil. It was never a case of keeping the bad contract, as is, and changing the new ones.

It’s not multiple-choice test of choosing “A” or “B,” it’s “C” – all of the above. We need better deals in all our natural resource contracts because these assets are nonrenewable and exhaustible.

Once oil and gold are removed, they are gone forever, and not available for future generations.

For the new PSAs, a “Half Guyana” party has made a big decision that will affect the whole of Guyana.

In demonstration of “One Guyana,” the PPP Government should have used a national consultative approach by inviting suggestions from the public,

and by discussing in Parliament.

That would have been the “One Guyana” thing to do, as this is a big decision that binds successive Governments. The PPP cannot say it was elected to govern unilaterally as it sees fit and refuse consultations when it hangs by a one-seat majority.

For its part, the Opposition PNC is still clueless and has not offered ideas for a new PSA. They are too busy quarrelling about whether to shake hands with the Government or not, as revelations continue about destruction of election video footage and tampering of computer files in the attempted rigging at the 2020 elections.

Any new template for a PSA should have brought us to a total take close to the international average of 62%. The VP’s new template has not brought us there.

The VP who had said he does not believe in Corporation Tax is proposing a 10% which is lower than Guyana’s current tax rate for

corporations. That is also lower than the international agreement for a “Global M i n i m u m Ta x ” t h a t established a 15 percent effective tax rate where large corporations have profits.

Why is it we want the richest, biggest corporation making gazillions in profits pay a lower Corporation Tax than other companies are paying?

Hope the chambers and private sector would protest this unfairness.

They are many issues to be addressed in a new PSA ranging from disclosures of production data, timelines for audits, insurance, environmental protection, monitoring of expenses and exactly what we are paying for, etc. I call on the Government to release its “Draft PSA” for public review and comment, and to discuss the final PSA in Parliament.

That will demonstrate “One Guyana.” It’s our wealth and our country, and we must care. Wake up Guyana!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Gail Teixeira is dead wrong; these are the facts DEAR EDITOR, I read with much dismay a statement from Hon. Gail Teixeira MP, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Government under the caption, “Burke one - man organisation continues to spread racist remarks.”

Several persons included Rickford Burke, Paul Slowe and GHK Lall have responded adequately to her.

However, Editor, please permit me to have my two bits in the confabulation.

The Hon. Minister came out smoking but there was no fire. Here is what she posited, “Paul Slowe was suspended as Chairman of the Police Service Commission because he refused to appoint senior officers recommended by the Commissioner of Police acting, ninety percent of whom were Afro Guyanese.”

This statement is as usual the erratic flight of the Minister ‘s imagination. It is complete fabrication and total distortion of facts.

Here are the facts relevant to the facts in issue.

As a former member of the Police Service Commission, I believe that the statement

under review is not only an attack on the character and integrity of Paul Slowe, but that of Michael Somersall, Vesta Adams, Claire Jarvis and I, Clinton Conway, all former members of the PSC. The former members have given me their express permission to respond to Gail Teixeira.

The Commission which was chaired by Paul Slowe was not a one-man Commission or a Paul Slowe Commission. It was the Police Service Commission.

All the members were active participants in the decisionmaking process of the Commission. On one occasion, we even outvoted the Chairman. Let me be pellucid, Paul Slowe was not suspended because he refused to appoint senior members of the GPF recommended by the Commissioner of Police acting. Paul Slowe’s and other members of the PSC’s suspension was purely political.

He refused the request of the President to promote ‘ his boys ‘. I will not comment on that issue further as the matter is before the Court. It

was Snr. Superintendent Calvin Brutus who blocked the promotion of one hundred and thirty-two officers in a Court action against the PSC. He was joined in his action by Snr. Superintendent Bacchus, Deputy Superintendent S t a n l e y, A s s i s t a n t Superintendent Jupiter, and Inspector Prem Narine. They all had disciplinary matters pending against them at the Police Service Commission.

One was the subject of a criminal probe apart from the disciplinary matter. They did not take the PSC to Court on their own volition. There were intellectual authors who are members of the ruling political party.

All of the officers mentioned above were recently promoted by the not fully constituted Police Service Commission, despite the fact that their disciplinary matters were not resolved.

The current Police Service Commission is not fully constituted. According to the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, it must consist of five members. Only four members were appointed.

One of the five must be the Chairperson of the Public

Service Commission. There is no Public Service Commission.

After Brutus and party lost their Court case, the PSC immediately proceeded to promote one hundred and thirty-two officers. In ‘labba time’ Anil Nandlall SC, the Attorney General said that his government did not recognise the promotions and took action to prevent the promotion taking effect.

The promotions were blocked. The matter is still pending.

Gail Teixeira said that 90 percent of the officers that the PSC did not promote were Afro Guyanese. Where did she get that figure from? I hate to use the term Afro or Indo Guyanese. The use of Afro- and Indo- Guyanese do not go well towards promoting a ONE GUYANA policy. However, it was used before in relation to the GPF. During the sixties while Dr. Cheddi Jagan was crying in the wilderness, he expressed his disappointment that Afro Guyanese were the dominant race in the Force.

He said that there was not a brown face in the Police Force and called for efforts to correct the racial balance.

There was the report (Continued on page 5)

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 05

Why no one charged for treason in the sale of national patrimony?

If history has taught us anything, it is that those who plunder come when there is wealth to be had. We must be cautious not to become 2nd class citizens in our own land. Entrepreneurs are already losing business to Trinidadian firms. European companies are considering establishing exclusive foot holds that our citizens can only access as servants. Our gold is leaving our shores and strengthening the

servitude in our own land, while foreigners are given the best we have to offer in exchange for disrespectful behaviour and inadequate compensation. At this stage of our development, it is best to continue an arm’s length approach to our development through the integration with foreign investors. Utilizing our people in the development of our economy must go beyond where it is today, and

the opportunities must be protected so our local teams can capitalize on them. Bring on board the foreign firms that will make training and development of our people a top priority in exchange for our people managing their businesses on our shores.

In Guyana, only a Guyanese should be able to

Gail Teixeira is dead wrong; these are the...

DEAR EDITOR, In the 2nd November Stabroek News edition under the caption ‘New York Attorney General concerned at complaints of racism, discrimination here’ it was reported that Ms. James will draw the attention of the Biden administration to the issue of discrimination against Afro-Guyanese in Guyana.

However, this learned lawyer and Attorney General of New York, USA failed at furnishing any sort of evidence to substantiate her claims.

While her allegations may be entirely factual, it is comical that such a powerful and influential figure would make broad statements of discrimination and racism occurring in a foreign land against an ethnic group, in a generalised fashion without providing specific details or any sort of information as to how she arrived at her conclusion. What exactly will she report to her fellow attorneys-general and the

From page 4 on Racial Balance in the Guyana Police Force by the International Commission of Jurist (ICJ) in 1965. As a result, numerous Indo Guyanese were recruited in the Force. We used to call the ranks ICJ Police.

The recruitment trend did not continue for long. For diverse reasons, the enlistment of Afro Guyanese continue to be the dominant factor. Dr. Jagan subsequently flip-flopped and called on his supporters not to join the Force as he saw the GPF as an oppressive arm of the State.

When Dr. Jagan became President, he made a 360degree turn.

He encouraged his supporters to join the Force.

Many joined but the numbers have declined significantly. Several years ago, the ratio was 8 to 1 in favour to Afro Guyanese. I do not know what the current figure is, but East Indians are in the minority in the Force.

The Service Commission under which I served never looked at race when dealing with promotion.

Snr. Superintendent Calvin Brutus in an interview with one of the

currency and economy of Canada. Our oil wealth has strengthened the few while a small number of unscrupulous officials fill their pockets. To date, no one has been charged with treason while the sale of our patrimony continues. We must not take a step backwards in our history.

Guyana is for Guyanese first and foremost. There is no reason for our citizens to be destined to a life of

Public Relations Officers of the acting Commissioner said that the police looked at race and gender when dealing with promotion.

After questions were asked, the uploader hurriedly pulled down the information.

An analysis of the last promotion by the not fully constituted PSC revealed the following: 5 out of 8 Assistant Commissioners were Indo Guyanese; 7 out of t h e 1 1 S e n i o r Superintendents were Indo Guyanese; 10 of the 21 Superintendents were Indo Guyanese.

No female made it to the rank of Assistant Commissioner or Senior Superintendent. The males took gold, silver and bronze.

To use a horse racing term, the females also ran.

Regional Command 1, 2, 3, 4 (b), 4(c) and 6 are all headed

by Indo Guyanese. Are they all competent commanders?

I have my doubts.

There is no female R e g i o n a l C o m m a n d e r.

Rumour is circulating that efforts are in train to replace the Commander of Region 4 (a) who is a Afro Guyanese with an Indo Guyanese after the Annual Christmas Policing.

In closing, let me hasten to urge the movers and shakers of the GPF to resurrect the Report of the Disciplined Forces Commission 2004 headed by Appeal Court Judge Ian Chang, SC and take action.

The report is very instructive. It contains several sections with recommendations that will enhance the performance of the GPF and cater for greater public confidence and trust in the GPF. They are: Functions and Operations; Composition and Structure; Recruitment, Training and Promotion; Ethnic Balance; Community Policing; Extra Judicial Killings; Accountability to Civilian Authority; Firearms; Complaint against Police and Coroners Act. I rest my case. May God help the Guyana Police Force.

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

own land until our families are financially established.

Foreigners should be allowed to lease, but only through the government, with clear conditions in the contract over the mineral and subterranean wealth of the leased land. Our land is not just a warehouse where anyone may take the goods

within it, while exhibiting neither concern nor care for the warehouse and whether it is destroyed in the process.

Those we have placed in charge to safeguard that our land does not get destroyed need to be financially audited on an ongoing basis to ensure that their (Continued on page 6)

Letitia James’s position maybe factual, but she should provide evidence Biden administration?

As the Attorney General of New York, Ms. James must have a number of competent underlings at hand to do her bidding, she should utilise these people to research the issue of racism in Guyana from all angles, the country itself and its history particularly the political side, the personalities behind the allegations made to her and whether these allegations can be substantiated especially specific cases with real characters and circumstances. And as the Attorney General of New York, which is home to many different ethnic groups, Ms.

James should reach out to the Indo-Guyanese American population and ask about their concerns including their experience with discrimination in Guyana.

Furthermore, in order to present a stronger case to the Biden administration, Ms. James should visit Guyana and reach out to a wider range of people, Guyana is after all multicultural and multi-ethnic. I am sure persons from other ethnic groups have their complaints, including the Indigenous peoples.

And still fresh in the minds of many are the ‘peaceful protests for (Continued on page 6)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 06

Why no one charged for treason in the sale...

From page 5 integrity has not been compromised. Betrayal is too easy for those of low character when new wealth is tempting them to break the rules and turn their backs on our land and our people.

Comrades, our history has taught us that many have plundered our land, and while doing so, they regarded our people of little worth. We must remain cautious not to undo the rights and privileges that we have fought hard for over the years.

Remember, a good guest is also a respectful guest who does not covet our

homes and take that which is not offered. No man nor woman allows a guest into their house to take control of it and become master over them.

If this occurs, then eventually it will no longer be yours. We must prevent this from occurring in Guyana. It is better to be content with what is ours, than to be wanting of that which can destroy us over time and take away our freedom.

Sincerely, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman, The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Letitia James’s position maybe factual...

From page 5 justice’ which descended into criminal acts against primarily Indo-Guyanese in Mon Repos and Berbice.

Also, Ms. James should observe for herself and view statistical information on the ethnic composition of state agencies/public institutions.

As a Guyanese living in Guyana, I am very aware of how racially polarised our society is and how pervasive is racism and other forms of

People from all ethnic groups have their grievances; specific instances where they felt discriminated against, and they can show evidence of this.

In fact, as an IndoGuyanese female, I publicly wrote about being discriminated against by the Government of Guyana through the Public Service Ministry and I faced discrimination on the job as a

discrimination.

public servant. I can prove

this through real evidence that I possess.

Editor, I do not seek to dismiss or mock the concerns of the Attorney General of New York regarding racism and other forms of discrimination against Afro-Guyanese in Guyana.

These allegations may all be factual however, what I find irksome are the broad statements ‘supported by’ a lack of evidence in the form of details being issued from the mouth of such a learned and powerful woman of legal training who has reached magnificent heights.

Yours faithfully, Narissa Deokarran

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Guyana‘s AG: a man on a mission DEAR EDITOR, It is amazing the exploits and tactics that the Hon. Attorney General of Guyana continues to embrace, makes an inseparable component of his governance persona and standards.

Often, he comes across as a figure of marvel, so incredible are his exercises in political and other judgment.

Think Marvel Comics and Captain Marvel and the Amazing Spiderman, and I confess to difficulty separating Guyana’s AG from those adorable figures clambering up walls, and walking on air.

The latest caper from the AG involves one attorney and a senior SOCU, police officer.

From the erudite mind of the AG came that: the matter is ‘water under the bridge.’

Really, sir? I sigh at the man’s incomparable sagacity.

I suppose because the AG says so that it is so, and we should all move along, while making sure to comply with the orders of those who know better.

The only agenda of relevance is that of his beloved PPP. If not, it is the AG himself delivering his admirable version of shut up and ship out. In other words, stop wasting time slowing down the governance machinery, and move along.

To do it my way, it has an eerier sound, more like “Hush, hush, Sweet Charlotte.”

Pardon me, please, that should be Tameika Clarke, Esq.

I am intrigued. For here is Guyana’s AG - a man, a legal practitioner, a senior counsel, and a most esteemed citizendeclaring censoriously (a bit Stentorian-like also) about what is ‘water under the bridge’ when there is a broadening and ominous pattern of PPP Government agents, either acting at the behest of its leaders, or jumping to the conclusion that such would please them, doing the unthinkable and the illegal.

This clashes rather glaringly and clumsily with how the AG himself has lowered the bridge to accommodate the low legal watermarks of his errant comrades in party and government, both senior and junior. Water it is, and it of the kind that is dark and dirty, and which also oozes and issues an overpowering odour relative to malfeasance in office and similar such silly things that are low down on the totem pole of both the AG and his PPP Government.

Though I write in a more nuanced fashion today, I am positive that Guyana’s chief legal light fully understands what I put on the table, and those in his circle that I have in mind. There is a particular kind of agenda that is obvious.

Employing the AG’s now long finalised blueprint of who should be slammed and who should be spared, I point to his decisions on the man above him.

I do the same on his

absence of voice and position on the Chinese fellow and his little tussle with another man that is responsible for the AG’s continued political tenure and presence.

To take this in another scorching direction, if the AG was the man of honor that I think that he can be (and may be), there are no circumstances under which he would deign to stand against a Guyanese fighting for Guyana on the issue of taxes and Exxon’s need to pay.

I would have tendered resignation and left with head held high; maybe even burnished some real leadership credentials. Now, he may assert that some matters are under the purview of the President or the DPP’s office, but even if so, the lawman has not been hesitant to weigh-in and sound-off on matters outside of his jurisdiction.

In fact, on this same Attorney-SOCU conflict, the AG stepped out of bounds and on the toes of his colleague at Home Affairs, since SOCU is police, and the Guyana Police is the territory of that Minister.

Water under the bridge, indeed! At this rate, there would be no bridge left, only all of us wallowing in the swamp of illegality that Guyana has become.

That is, as defined, measured, and expounded on, by the Hon. AG and none other.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

13 years later...no justice for Vivian Singh Balrup DEAR EDITOR, The parents of Vivian Singh Balrup are still mourning the loss of their son after 13 long years since he was killed.

The relevant authorities were contacted numerous times and were begged for the case to reopen, but to no avail. Vivian Singh Balrup was only 16 years old , a Multilateral student , whose life was brutally snatched away by ruthless people at the No.63 Beach on November 8th 2009. Even though there was an eyewitness no justice was given.

On the night of the murder, the eyewitness who was 15 years of age then, called us via telephone and

said “ uncle I will tell you everything that happen”.

At that time , the father of Vivian Singh Balrup was in an emotional state of mind and told her, the eyewitness,

“ tell the police everything “. Over the years we have been trying desperately through the media to seek justice . However, we have never spoken or contacted the eye witness and yet we received a letter from her lawyer stating that we should desist from using slanderous words about her. Why is it that the eyewitness doesn’t want us to seek justice? The last officer we contacted was Jessaamy who at that said

time was investigating “cold case” and revealed that Vivian Singh Balrup’s case was never closed. We are imploring the relevant authorities to look into this matter.

We are now aware that Officer Narine is looking after cold cases and years ago when he was a Corporal knows everything about this murder case because a statement was given by Kirpal Singh Balrup ( father of Vivian ) .

The 8th of November will be Vivian’s 13th death anniversary and on November 17th he would have attained the age of 30 years.

Regards, Parents of Deceased

T N U L B . . .

T B N U T L N T B .

U .

L .

L T B .

N .

U .

N U T L N B .

U .

T .

L N T U N B .

N U .

L U L LUNT. B .

T . .

T T N N B U B .

U .

L .

L T B .

B . .

N . . .

T U T L N N T U U L N L B U .

B . .

L . . .

T B T . .

N .

N T U L N LU B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

U .B AND ELECTIONS, L NT LUNTGECOM ..EXXON N B . .

U .

L T B AND GUYANA N . .

B .

U . .

T L .

N T B . .

U N .

L N T B U N . .

L .

U T L B . .

N B . . .

T U .

L N T B U . .

L .

UN T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L B U UN .BLUNT. . .

L .

T B . .

N .

T U .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . .

L N .

T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU .

T .

N .

N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B .

L .

N .

B T . . .

N T U N N N L U U U B L .

L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday November 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Why is this country, Govt. and Opposition wasting time on elections?

Why not PPP Govt. and Coalition Opposition focus on common enemy - Exxon?

Why make fools of ourselves over losing election exercises?

Why, when Exxon making losers out of all Guyanese?

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Guyana and EU to sign $1B - funds aimed at cutting deforestation, increase forest pact protected areas, create forest-related jobs G

uyana and the European Union will today sign a F o r e s t Partnership Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the COP 27 in Egypt, which will see this country receiving a grant of Euro 5m ($1.045b).

In a press statement released ahead of the signing, the EU said the Government of Guyana and the European Union share a 50-year-long fruitful partnership, advancing work together on shared priorities in programmes on the environment, sustainability and forest governance.

This collaboration is now being culminated, by the signing of the agreement, the EU said between President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and Guyana. The EU said the MoU underlines the genuine partnership between Guyana and the European Union, focused on long-term sustainability. “It is a

President Irfaan Ali reflection of the unwavering commitment of Guyana to protect its unique rainforest,” the EU said.

According to EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes, Guyana is unique in that it is one of the few countries in the world that has a negative carbon footprint. He outlined that Guyana is an example for the

world and the forest partnership is a recognition of the sustained efforts by the country in preserving its forests and ensuring that timber harvesting is regulated.

For his part, President Irfaan Ali said Guyana remains committed to fighting climate change and developing sustainably. He pointed out that Guyana’s development is structured in a Low Carbon Development Strategy, which will help Guyana to build a global model for forest climate services and other ecosystem services.

The MOU, which will be signed today on the sidelines of the COP 27 in Egypt has four main objectives: increasing the area of protected, restored or sustainably managed forests, including mangroves; increasing the number of forest-related jobs; maintaining the close-tozero annual rate of deforestation of natural

forests and looking for ways to facilitate investment and trade in legal and sustainable wood products between Guyana and the EU. The EU said the forest partnership is a win-win for Guyana and the EU. “With an initial EURO 5 Million grant from the EU for activities, immediate results are expected in supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities, supporting small-scale producers, promoting sustainable trade in forest and agriculture commodities and building capacity to drive behaviour change.

Youth and women are expected to play an important role in the p l a n n i n g a n d implementation of activities related to the partnership.

Reflective of its continuing strong stewardship on forests, climate and the environment, Guyana launched its visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. The LCDS sets out how forests and biodiversity can be

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen maintained, whilst the country expands green jobs, transitions the domestic energy supply to clean and renewable energy sources, and adapts to the impacts of climate change,” the EU statement added.

In recent years, both the EU and Guyana have already implemented several forestrelated actions, recognizing the urgent need for strategic and focused cooperation.

Building on the strong engagement in and motivation for forest conservation by the Guyanese government, both sides are increasing their cooperation on forests to make an important contribution to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Climate change is one

of the world’s main concerns and affects Guyana as it threatens the very existence of this coastal low-lying rapidly developing state.

Guyana and the European Union aim at supporting the role of Guyana’s forests in sustainable development, and addressing challenges related to deforestation, forest degradation, climate change and loss of biodiversity.

The Forest Partnership with the EU places Guyana at the top of the world in terms of its protection of the rainforest. It is timely, and underscores the strong commitment in continuing the bold ambition and innovative programme on climate, environment and forests. President Dr. Irfaan Ali, will address the signing event of the MOU, virtually at 4AM Guyana time on November 8.

The event will be livestreamed and can be joined and followed at https://app.swapcard.com/e vent/eu-side-eventscop27/planning/UGxhbm5p bmdfMTA1MTg2MQ

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

PAGE 09

The Speaker’s ruling cannot be faulted

I

n 2016, then Opposition Member of Parliament, Mr. Komal Chand wrote to the Speaker of the National Assembly for the adjournment of the National Assembly in order to debate a matter of definite, urgent and public importance. The matter which the PPPC Member of Parliament wanted debated was the imminent closure of the Wa l e s E s t a t e b y t h e APNU+AFC government.

The then Speaker was satisfied that even though the notice was received on the same day of the Sitting of the National Assembly, it did satisfy the requirements of notice being properly given.

The Speaker further explained that: “A motion to adjourn the House on a matter of this nature is an extraordinary procedure and the Standing Order which guides the Speaker in this instance sets out three indispensable elements for consideration.

The matter must be definite, it must be urgent and it must be of public importance.”

He went on to explain that there is no doubt that the

motion proposed was of public importance. There is no doubt also, he ruled, that it was definite. But he did not agree that it was urgent.

He related that the Member who had proposed the motion had expressed a willingness to enter into talks on the matter and then Leader of the Opposition has expressed a similar wish to talk with the government. It was also observed that the closure of the estate was proposed for the end of the years.

These facts led the Speaker to conclude that the requirement of urgency was not fulfilled. As such he concluded that the motion failed to meet on the three criteria for wider debate and as such was disallowed.

It was not the first time and it was certainly not going to be the last time that attempts by the Opposition to have an adjournment of the Assembly in order to debate a matter of definite, u rg e n t a n d o f p u b l i c importance.

Indeed, if a record of such notices were done, it may very well reveal that many such applications for adjournment of the National

Assembly were disallowed on the basis that they did not meet the criterion of urgency.

There were also many cases in which such motions were allowed.

Indeed, in 2007, there was an incident involving the dislocation of vendors from the Staborek Market.

The then Leader of the Opposition moved to have the matter considered as a definite matter of urgent and public importance. The then Speaker concurred that the business of the Assembly could be adjourned to consider the motion.

The litmus test of when a matter can be considered ‘urgent’ was explained in the Indian Parliament in 1950.

There the Speaker ruled that: “The crucial test always is as to whether the question proposed to be raised has arisen suddenly and created an emergent situation of such a character that there is prima facie case of urgency and the House must therefore leave aside all other business and take up the consideration of the urgent matter at the appointed hour.

The urgency must be of such a character that the

Czech Republic slaps US$3.5B windfall tax on...

From page 3 new levy, who argued that it may damage the Czech Republic’s reputation among foreign investors. Unipetrol, the Czech unit of Poland’s biggest refiner PKN Orlen, said the new tax will curb funds needed for upgrades.

Billionaire Daniel K r e t i n s k y ’s e n e rg y conglomerate Energeticky a Prumyslovy Holding said on Friday that it will move its Prague-based EP Commodities trading business to another country to avoid paying the new tax.

The unit generates most of its profit outside the Czech Republic and subjecting it to the local windfall tax is “completely nonsensical,” EPH said in a statement. Slower Consolidation Overall, the state will allocate about 200 billion koruna next year for various aid measures to households and companies, including energy subsidies, higher pensions and other welfare payments, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said last week.

T h e y e a r - o l d

administration has softened its push to curb fiscal deficits because of the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Still, it plans to cut the budget shortfall to 295 billion koruna next year from the 375 billion-koruna gap planned for this year.

While the Czech debt load, projected at 42% of gross domestic product this year, remains one of the lowest in the EU, the central bank and a fiscal watchdog have criticized the pace of deficit reductions and urged faster consolidation.

Dem boys seh...

Apple cheaper dan mango!

Dem boys wan tell de Minister of Farming dat something wrang with dem production figures of fruits and vegetables he seeing every week. Prices in de market nah reflecting dat de country producing sufficient quantity of food.

If yuh go in de market, de only thing wah deh plenty is rice and high prices. Nothing nah cheap. Even de price of plantains gone back up. So nah leh nobody tell yuh dat de production allrite.

Dem farmers complaining how imported cabbage and tomato selling cheaper dan de local ones. Well dat is a shame because de imported tomatoes and cabbage paying a heavy import tax. And if with dat tax it can still sell cheaper dan local cabbage and tomato, then something wrang. De farmers selling too expensive.

Dem boys want tell de Minister of Farming to ask de CARICOM fuh suspend de tariff pon imported food so dat dem importers can bring in cheap chicken, cheap vegetables and cheap fruits. We gat an emergency right now and we need to import more food. Right now, an apple selling cheaper dan a mango. Sapodilla selling fih $200 each and banana gone to $300 per lb.

De price in de market too high and one way fuh bring down de price is to allow imports. Years ago, we used to allow chicken to be imported fuh Christmas so as to ensure no shortage. So don’t let de Minister get any wrang ideas about stopping de importation of vegetables and fruits. Open de market and let de farmers compete with de foreign produce.

Dat gan help reduce de cost of living.

Talk half. Leff half!

matter really brooks no delay and should be discussed on the same day the notice has been given.”

A Speaker of Guyana’s National Assembly had explained the meaning of urgency.

He said, “The matter must be a clear emergency. It must have arisen suddenly in a manner of an emergency and should not have arisen over a series of weeks.” He went on to quote Erskine May as follows: “The matter must not be a grievance that is continuing which does not qualify as a sufficient matter of urgent public importance.”

There have been cases in which the Order of Business was adjourned to consider a matter of definite, urgent and public importance. One such

case was in relation to unstable electricity supply.

On the other hand, an application to suspend the business of the Assembly to consider the proposed takeover of the bauxite industry in Linden was denied presumably on the ground that it did not meet the criteria of being urgent.

In 2008 following floods in the country, the then Leader of the Opposition proposed the adjournment of the National Assembly to debate the flooding. The matter was deemed one of urgent and of public importance and was allowed.

There has always been discontent whenever a Speaker disallows a motion for the adjournment of the business of the National A s s e m b l y. B u t e a c h

application has to be considered on its merit as to whether it meets the three “indispensable criteria.”

There are a number of rulings which can guide the Members in determining whether their motions qualify as matters of definite and urgent public importance.

Once these are referred to it would be clearer that in most instances the Speaker’s rulings cannot be faulted.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Tuesday Monday November May 02, 08,2022 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

THOSE PROTESTING LAWYERS ARE HYPOCRITES AND COWARDS A

lawyer was wrongfully detained by the police for advising her client in front of police officers in the station.

She was detained for about ten minutes and released on the advice of the AttorneyGeneral who apologised.

Led by the Bar Association’s hierarchy, a few dozen lawyers protested outside the Special Organsied Crime Unit (SOCU). In which country were these lawyers perambulating the parapet with placards in their hands?

Surely, it couldn’t be in Guyana where the Bar Association is an invisible hypocritical entity. Surely it cannot be in Guyana where not in recent memory lawyers came out and picket in public for any type of violation that occurred within the rule of law where such violations are more noticeable than the perennial grass on the parapet that they

were stomping on.

You may see what I about to write as making fun out of a serious situation, but I am serious when I write that all those protesting should have been arrested on three charges - wanton h y p o c r i s y, d i s g u s t i n g cowardice and destruction to public property by destroying the grass on which they walked.

The Bar Association and its members have an agenda, and like the agenda of the Usual Suspects, Lunatic Fringe, Creole Middle Class and Political Nouveau Lumpen, the contents and shape of their agenda will soon unfold. If you follow politics in Guyana, you must know what their agenda is all about.

If you lived in Guyana for a long time you will know that there has been a long merger between the hypocrisy and cowardice of the Bar Association that lacerates your soul to the

point that you cannot take it anymore. No one called me to tell me these lawyers were picketing. Had they done that I would have engaged in a counter-picketing exercise against them.

Police violations and the absurdities in the rule of law are permanent sociological features in Guyana. But the only two societal dimensions that do not know about these two depravities are the Bar Association and those protesting lawyers.

Let us lecture those lawyers who have been protesting and mashing up the neatly architecture parapet outside SOCU. A magistrate remanded a lady named Taylor even though the prosecutor told the court that the accused was charged by a mistake. That absurdity was made public but the Bar Association was in Timbuktu at the time. I took that very magistrate to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for

violating Ms. Taylor’s right and because of that fact, I asked the very JSC to have the magistrate recuse herself over the trial where Kwame McCoy, Jason Abdulla and Shawn Hinds were charged with an attempt on my life.

The JSC was not interested neither was the Bar Association. That trial was the most comical act performed in a court room in the history of this country.

The prosecutor made no objections and the magistrate read out the lyrics of a song she told me in court when I was on the stand that I like to write about in my columns – Hotel California by the Eagles.

The Bar Association didn’t know about this because it was in Timbuktu at the time.

Dr. Walter Ramsahoye sued me for libel. I countersued him. Both cases were heard at the same time. His in front of Justice Gregory Barnes, mine in front of

Justice CummingsEdwards. Justice Barnes ruled in favour of Ramsahoye and Frederick Kissoon awarded him $2 million. After 7 years, I was headed by the Bar am still to hear the verdict in Association President, Ms. my writ. This travesty was Pauline Chase. She was the made public but the Bar lawyer deputising for her Association at the time was father, Ashton, Chase, on holidaying in Timbuktu. one occasion when Mr. Juan Police violations of citizens’ Edghill asked Justice rights occur with morbid Insanally to send me to frequency in this country but prison for contempt of court. those lawyers who were The judge refused his mashing up the grass do not request. know about these things and Ms. Chase had to be if they do, poor people have favoured by the ruling party to find an impossible sum to have become a member of just to get them to go to the t h e P r o c u r e m e n t station.

Commission. The Magistrates violate poor commissioners are selected people’s rights often in the by the two major parties. courts throughout the Couldn’t the PPP find c o u n t r y, b u t t h e B a r someone who needed the Association is too cowardly m o n e y m o r e ? A to chastise them because commissioner gets over a their members have to million a month. appear in front of those very (The views expressed in magistrates. Do you know this article are those of the the funny thing about the w r i t e r a n d n o t t h i s Bar Association picket? It newspaper.)

Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2022 passed in National Assembly - AG says law crucial to public safety

T

he National Assembly on Monday passed the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2022, which was presented by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC. In his presentation, Nandlall said that the Government of Guyana has taken corrective measures to curb road accidents, injuries and fatalities created by drunk driving. He underscored the importance of the Bill to public safety.

The Attorney General disclosed that over the last decade, 1303 persons were killed on the country’s roadways. He said 1000 were males, more than 200 females and 89 children. The figures show that there are at least 100 deaths annually, a staggering number when compared to Guyana’s population size.

Legislative reform is one avenue undertaken by the government to combat road accidents. Nandlall said that government is proposing to

A road traffic accident which occurred at Crabwood Creek earlier this year. strengthen and expand existing legislation by imposing more punitive measures. Once amended, drunk drivers can face increased jail time, permanent revocation of their driver’s licence, be charged for motor manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm.

The Bill seeks to amend the Principal Act by inserting a new section, 35A which states that a person can be found guilty of motor manslaughter, where that person causes the death of another person while driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a drug. This offence is an indictable one and the

penalty is a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years. Where the person has caused grievous bodily harm to another person, while driving under the influence, the penalty is a term of imprisonment of not less than five years.

A person convicted under this Section shall be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for three years.

Persons will also be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for 12 months. Where the person is convicted for two consecutive offences, the person shall be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for 24 months, and

where there is a third conviction, the person shall be permanently disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence.

At present, the penalty for driving under the influence and losing control of a vehicle is a fine ranging from $30,000 to $60,000 or imprisonment for 12 months and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, there is a fine ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 and imprisonment.

With the passing of the legislation, the fines will be increased to not less than $200,000 for first-time offenders and $300,000 for second-time offenders.

Additionally,

amendments to the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act Chapter 82:21 will be made for the purpose of strengthening provisions that prohibit drunkenness on premises licensed under the Principal Act. Clause 3 of the Bill seeks to amend Section 54 of the Principal Act by substituting for Subsection (1) the duties placed on a licensed holder to not permit drunkenness on the licensed premises and creates new duties for the licensed holder to discourage drinking and driving.

The new subsection provides that a licensed holder shall not permit any drunkenness on his premises nor sell, give or barter or allow another person to sell, give or barter intoxicating liquor to a drunken person within the premises.

Additionally, the licensed holder is mandated to not sell, give or barter intoxicating liquor to a person he knows is likely to leave the premises by driving a motor vehicle unless a designated driver is identified.

Consequently, he shall not sell, give or barter

intoxicating liquor to a person identified as a designated driver.

Further, where the licensed holder knows that a drunken person is attempting to drive or is in charge of a motor vehicle, he shall inform the nearest police station and request their immediate assistance.

Moreover, a licensed holder is also now required to conspicuously post signs and ensure that announcements are made, on the premises that discourage drinking and driving. In addition, Section 54 is also amended in Subsection (2) to increase the fines for breach of these duties by the licensed holder from $2000 to $100,000 for a first offence, and from $5000 to $200,000 for a second offence. The effect of this amendment is that it is now mandatory that a licensed holder must refuse to admit to the premises any person who is drunk, violent, quarrelsome, or disorderly.

Additionally, Clause 4 amends Subsection (2) to increase the penalty for breach of this provision from $3000 to $100,000.

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Tuesday November 08, 2022

U.S. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs meets Govt. ministers

…to discuss visa matters and intercountry adoptions

L-R: Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud; U.S. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter; U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah Ann Lynch and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd.

United States (U.S.) Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter on Monday met with Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Human Services and Social Security Hugh Todd and Dr. Vindhya Persaud respectively to discuss visa matters and inter-country adoptions.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy announced that Bitter is in Guyana to meet with Government stakeholders to discuss “issues of shared interest in the bilateral partnership between the United States and Guyana.”

“The United States is committed to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States by both immigrant and nonimmigrant travelers,” the U.S. Embassy said noting that visas for work and tourism are the foundation of President Joe Biden’s foreign policy.

The Embassy said too

that international visitors are “essential to the U.S. economy and travel and service industries”.

Meanwhile, the Embassy said that Assistant Secretary Bitter commended its work in facilitating legitimate travel to the United States, and the recent reduction in non-immigrant visa interview wait times from 900 days to less than 90 days.

Prior to assuming her role as Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs in August 2021, Bitter was the Dean of the Leadership and Management School at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). She was Ambassador t o t h e L a o P e o p l e ’s Democratic Republic. In Wa s h i n g t o n , A s s i s t a n t Secretary Bitter served in the Executive Secretariat as Special Assistant to Secretary of State Colin Powell and served as Director of the State Department Operations Center.

Speaker blocks Opposition motion, questions Members of the Opposition on Monday morning walked out of the National Assembly after Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir refused to allow both ‘questions without notice’ and a Motion submitted by that side of the House.

Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira had requested to raise questions in the House without notice, as allowed for under the Parliamentary proceedings. However, the Speaker said the issues were neither urgent nor important. As such, he refused to allow the Opposition Member to ask his questions.

Meanwhile, a Motion submitted by Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton to facilitate a clean voters’ list to avoid voter impersonation, among others was also disallowed on these grounds.

Norton told the House, prior to his Motion being dismissed, that international observers of the March 2020 elections had highlighted the need for a clean List of Electors (OLE). Additionally, he said that by simply looking at the one will grasp that in a country of about 750,000 residents, 682,000 nationals are on the list which suggests its lack of integrity.

Against this backdrop, he explained, “It is my sincere hope that we can debate this Motion.”

Nadir in dismissing the Motion explained that it failed to meet the requirements; hence, it would not be allowed to move forward.

According to him, “For a matter to qualify under this particular item,

- as MPs walk out of National Assembly Empty Opposition seats in the National Assembly, following their walkout yesterday

the issue of definite urgent public importance is (or) are necessary.

The issue is also upcoming and I consider this Motion at this time not of the urgency that requires this debate, so I would be unable to allow the Motion to proceed further than this.”

It was on this note that the Opposition walked out of the Parliamentary session. Yesterday marked the first Sitting after the House went into recess for the August holiday. In a subsequent statement issued by the joint Opposition, the Coalition said, “The PPP continues to make the National Assembly into an

institution that does not serve the people of Guyana. The government’s refusal to discuss critical issues such as the high cost of living, increase in poverty, alleged bribery and corruption involving Bharrat Jagdeo, the unwillingness to debate natural gas flaring and now the refusal to permit the Assembly to address the issue of the enactment of Constitutional and Statutory amendments to facilitate a clean voters’ list are clear indications that the government is not democratic and they have no interest in, or commitment to Parliamentary democracy.”

Norton in delivering the statement said the PPP has “emasculated” the Public Accounts Committee, thereby preventing the scrutiny of taxpayers’ dollars. This, he said, is testimony that government is “corrupt and incompetent” and cannot afford for its spending to be placed under the microscope.

He was keen to point out that the lack of this scrutiny will allow for the misuse of funds garnered from the oil and gas sector.

Additionally, the Opposition Leader pointed out that, “Even as the government is avoiding scrutiny of the taxpayer’s money,

they refuse to increase the wages and salaries of public servants.”

This refusal, according to him, amidst increasing income from the oil industry is a clear indication that the government does not care about the people of Guyana. Moreover, the Opposition insisted that, “The society is also experiencing total disrespect to the people of Guyana.

There is no respect for the rule of law. The suspension of eight Opposition MPs without a hearing is ridiculous and unacceptable since it brings the non-compliance with the rule of law in the very Chambers that should protect the (Continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

PAGE 13

‘Line must be drawn on Beverly Alert takes Trotman’s all future Exxon projects’ place in National Assembly

...Govt. throwing away guaranteed value for uncertain cash in new oil blocks - Yog Mahadeo

By Davina Bagot

T

he prolific Stabroek Block that has been Guyana’s treasure chest, unlocking more than 11 billion barrels of oil, is linked to a lopsided Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that the People’s Progressive Party C i v i c ( P P P / C ) administration has refused to change.

Instead, government has said that all future deals will secure more benefits for the c o u n t r y. Tr a n s p a r e n c y activist, Dr. Yog Mahadeo finds the government’s position disconcerting. In an i n v i t e d c o m m e n t , D r.

Mahadeo said the government must not be allowed to throw away the wealth in the Stabroek Block, in hopes that more oil would be discovered in the smaller oil blocks that are soon to be auctioned.

“The current value of money is as real as it could be, compared to future value

Civil Society Activist, Dr. Yog Mahadeo of money, and what we are doing is we are throwing away current value and we are putting eggs in the basket for future value. In other words, we are pinning the hopes of a good PSA on future wealth or future contracts and not doing anything to maximise on what Guyana could get on the current one, so it is disconcerting,” Dr. Mahadeo said Monday.

He reminded that the PPP/C in its 2020 manifesto

had promised to renegotiate the existing contract, rather than seek more on future deals.

“They are trying to camouflage the current deal and we must not allow ourselves to be distracted from these current despicable conditions where Guyanese are paying the taxes for Exxon and all that goes with it”, Dr. Mahadeo said.

The advocate for good governance said the line must be drawn now on the projects ExxonMobil wants government to approve in the Stabroek Block.

Thirty-five discoveries have been made so far, with four projects already given the green light.

To this end, Dr. Mahadeo agrees with the Opposition that the new terms must extend to all future projects the oil company wants to pursue in Guyana.

“We need to identify where we are and draw the line to say hereon it’s going (Continued on page 16)

Heavy downpour leaves Charity flooded

A Charity business was forced to close its door due to Monday’s flood.

H

ours of heavy rainfall Monday afternoon resulted in several parts of Charity, Region Two accumulating approximately two inches of water.

Residents said that after 30 minutes of consistent rainfall, which started at approximately 13:30h, the community was under water. At the Charity Amazon Market, an area that seldom floods, several stalls were inundated.

Residents informed this newspaper that at the time of the heavy rainfall, the sluice door was closed and the pump was off.

Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit confirmed that the sluice was closed due to high tide in the Pomeroon River.

“The sluice had to be closed because the Pomeroon water was very high. So, it could not have been opened and up to now as we speak, it still cannot be opened. So what we’re doing now is we’re working the pumps.

We are in the process of setting up another pump in the area,” Oodit said.

It is unclear why the pump was not in operation at the time of the flooding.

Earlier this year, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) signed a $544,890,203 contract with Adamantium Holdings for the construction of a pump station at Charity to provide flood control for approximately 400 families and farmers by draining more than 200 acres of farmland for the cultivation of cash crops.

AFC member, Beverly Alert takes the Oath to become a Member of Parliament before Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs

A

lliance For Change (AFC) m e m b e r , Beverly Alert on Monday took the Oath in the National Assembly to replace former Member of Parliament and Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman.

Alert was sworn in during the first half of the proceedings as is customary.

The oath, as required by Article 167 of the Constitution, was administered by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs.

She was welcomed by the Speaker, Manzoor Nadir and Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton. In extending brief welcoming remarks, Norton said, “On behalf of the Opposition, I would like to welcome Ms. Alert to this Assembly. I know she has the requisite competence and will be able to serve the people of Guyana in good stead.”

In August, the AFC

announced the resignation of Trotman from the National Assembly. He reportedly said he was making way for new leadership. Alert served primarily in the communications sector during the tenure of the former Coalition government, between 2015 and 2020.

She was the Head of the Government Information Agency (GINA) after which she served as the Coordinator of Public Information at the National Communications Network (NCN).

In announcing his replacement, Leader of the Party, Khemraj Ramjattan said that Alert was subject to a rigorous criteria, similar to the factors used to select the sitting members of the Assembly from the AFC. In fact, he explained that during the most recent National Executive Committee (NEC), the members of the party decided that should any

of the AFC Members of Parliament (MP) be unable to attend, Alert would be the most suitable replacement.

Tr o t m a n h a s b e e n reportedly battling an illness for some time now. The AFC said he had indicated before the staging of its National Conference in June of this year that he would not be available for nomination, as he would be resigning midterm in the life of the 12th Parliament, which commenced in 2020. At the time, he explained his decision will allow for rotation and space for new leadership training.

The AFC noted that he will, nonetheless, remain part of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and will continue to provide counsel to the leadership of the AFC on a range of national and regional developments which include rendering “his expert counsel on the nascent oil production sector.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Auditor General exposes lax waste management across hospitals

A

n audit into the management of healthcare waste at five main hospitals in the country was conducted between the period January 2017 and July 2019, found lax measures to properly store and dispose of the waste.

The five health institutions that the audit e x a m i n e d w e r e : We s t Demerara Regional H o s p i t a l , G e o rg e t o w n Public Hospital Corporation, Diamond Diagnostic Centre, New Amsterdam Regional Hospital and Linden Hospital Complex.

The Auditor General (AG), Mr. Deodat Sharma reported that the reason for the Performance Audit was to focus on whether these hospitals managed healthcare waste efficiently and effectively to mitigate health and environmental risks. He noted in his report that the audit is important because Guyanese need assurance that hospitals have managed healthcare waste and that the findings of the report may help other health facilities better manage their waste as well.

According to the audit

The used syringes and needles in plastic bottles with original labels that were highlighted in the report which was found at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. (Photo: Audit Office of Guyana)

- finds dirty needles with infectious waste everywhere in containers, bottles findings, at these main health institutions, sharps containers with infectious waste were everywhere and that inadequate storage space and poor storage practices resulted in large amounts of sharps containers and boxes stowed haphazardly at these hospitals. Sharps containers with untreated infectious waste were also found to be stock-piled for months in rooms and hospital compounds, the report noted.

On the issue of sharps containers, the audit found also that the containers were not puncture-proof. “Used syringes and needles were in plastic soda bottles used as

sharps containers.

We found this practice when hospitals were out of stock of the required containers.

For example, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation used Coca-Cola bottles with original labels to collect sharps waste,” the report stated.

The bottles, the report made mentioned of were not labeled and sealed to prevent persons from removing the used syringes and needles and as a result, the used syringes and needles were easily accessible to persons, which could have resulted in theft and infections if used.

Another finding was equipment to protect

employees, which was not always available.

The Audit Report stated that prolonged stock-outs caused by shortages or short supplies led to personal protective equipment being unavailable to waste handlers. Waste handlers, the Auditor General found, wore part and sometimes none of the personal protective equipment when executing their duties. “Management’s failure to monitor waste handling activities resulted in waste handlers’ exposure to infections,” the AG highlighted.

Another significant finding, the audit found was that waste was being dumped on the floor after treatment. “We found that this unsatisfactory situation at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation was

because the shredder and belt of the autoclave were out of order.

The machine was not working at capacity, which caused containers of untreated waste to accumulate, resulting in health and environmental risks to waste handlers,” the report explained.

Sharma noted in his Performance Report that policies and plans at these hospitals were not established to efficiently and effectively manage waste activities, resulting in a lack of coordination among officials. “The absence of waste collection schedules and monitoring at each hospital led to ad hoc collection patterns which put at risk the health of patients and workers. Poor segregation systems resulted

Sharps boxes & containers stored in and out of incinerator room at the West Demerara Hospital. (Photo: Audit Office of Guyana)

in injuries to workers from sharps in bags. The audit work was repeatedly delayed because hospitals did not provide requested documents and did not always respond to the audit findings,” the report explained.

Wi t h t h e f i n d i n g s highlighted, the Audit Office n o t e d t h a t 1 8 recommendations were made to deal with the causes of lax waste management by establishing and implementing national and hospital policies, monitoring all activities, using recommended containers and bags, and reviewing the collection and storage of waste.

These recommendations should be addressed urgently in the short term, the Auditor General stated.

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

‘End youth tokenism’ R

epresentatives for the more than a billion under30s in the Commonwealth have called on leaders at the start of COP27 in Egypt to end youth tokenism and pledge more finance and support for youth-led climate solutions.

The Commonwealth Youth Statement on Climate Change, released on Monday appeals to governments and changemakers to recognise young people as partners and solution providers in the fight against climate change – and commit to solid partnerships that finance and forward youth-created solutions and technologies.

Collectively, youth leaders from across the 13

C o m m o n w e a l t h Yo u t h Networks, led by the C o m m o n w e a l t h Yo u t h Climate Change Network (CYCN) and the newlylaunched Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation (CYSU) network, have made demands for action on seven k e y c l i m a t e recommendations; with particular focus on global public health, the transition to low-carbon technology, developing sustainable cities and ocean protection.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, welcomed the proposals, saying: “Young people across the world are already battling the impacts of climate change. Without

action, the force and frequency of violent weather, shortages of food, water and the threat of rising seas will continue to intensify.

“Our youth activists have proven to be some of the strongest voices in the fight to stay below 1.5C warming. They have taken the lead in putting this existential issue to the very top of national and global agendas.

Often, they have been the catalyst for action and positive change.

“If we neglect their voices, we will fail in our mission to find solutions to this climate crisis and in our pursuit of a just and sustainable world.” In recognition of the talent and

PAGE 15

- Commonwealth young people tell COP27 leaders to recognise them as partners in fight against climate change

drive of the under-30s, the statement calls for increased investment in schools and universities to encourage the development of innovative and climate-smart solutions; monetary-backing of youthled multi-sectoral climate programmes; and cementing young people as key partners in climate mitigation, adaptation, and recovery efforts in line with Article 11 of the Paris Agreement.

Lucky Abeng, CYCN Grassroots Engagement and Participation Lead, said: “We hope to use this Youth Statement to change the narrative of youths demanding action from governments.

Instead, we want to uplift the Commonwealth’s young people, rightly spotlighting

their role as creators and innovators, with the potential to generate global solutions to the climate crisis.

Michelle Maeclem, CYSU Steering Committee member, said: “We need governments and societies to embrace the potential within youth populations.

Only by countries increasing investment into the research, development, trial, implementation, and protection of youth-created and led technologies, can we see real progress on combatting climate change.”

Plans for sustainable cities and access to healthcare The statement outlines how inaction on climate change threatens the future

of all young people, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and marginalised, and burdening the under-30s with the exacerbated challenges it brings.

These include displacement, loss of livelihoods, water and food i n s e c u r i t y, a c c e s s t o healthcare and the rise of new climate related diseases and worsening mental health due to climate anxiety.

With an additional 2.5 billion people set to be living in the world’s towns and cities by 2050, the statement also calls for immediate action to implement sustainable policies to help these areas respond effectively to climate challenges.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

‘The talk must come to an end’ – Mia Mottley tells COP27 - urges reform of international banks, setting up of climate mitigation fund

By Renay Sambach VACANCY

WANTED

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

Driver, sales man, porters to work in warehouse.

Must have experience , attractive salary offered. Call: 696-4444.

Two sales clerk & one delivery clerk needed at Lens.

Apply @ 136 Sheriff Street, C/Ville or Tel: 227-1511/2272486

Taxi drivers needed at Princess Taxi Service, Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7075/ 76 or 616-5419.

CLERICALASSISTANTS LIVE-IN ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE FOR OUT OF TOWN APPLICANTS COVID VACCINATED PERSONS ONLY. CALL: 223-7500.

CLERK AND DOMESTIC NEEDED. LIVE-IN FACILITIES FOR BERBICIANS AND ESSEQUIBIANS. CALL: 223-7500.

Carpenter, Mason, Labourer, Painter & Joiner Contact: 686-2861/611-4545.

Sales clerks, inventory clerk & cashiers needed. Call Junior: 225-8721 or 611-6341.

Computer technician needed. Email application to: info@synetechgy.com or call: 592-223-9521.

Seamstress, tailor wanted.

Call/ Whatsapp: 691-1918.

One male and female able bodied clerk: 226-1497,2252313/658-8559.

Start a career in the hotel industry, One female to work at a quest house, Call: 2256337 or Whatsapp: 668-0306.

Hymac operator for ( 580 C Hymac)& excavator operator to work in Charity Essequibo. Contact 2235273/223-5274.

Porters, drivers/expediters, handyman. Contact 2235273 / 223-5274.

Maid needed to work Monday to Friday. Call 618-1802.

Domestic – to work in Georgetown from 7.00am to4.00pm (honest & mature). Telephone: 623-6383.

One civil engineer to work full time. Apply to CEO : jsbinvestmentsgy@ gmail.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE Size 40ft X 185ft, located @ 3rd Street Albertown, between Cummings & Light street. Call: 601-3506.

Domestic needed to work for 3 days 8-4pm, must know to cook and do general cleaning, etc. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village.

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley at the Opening of the COP27 World Leaders Summit, advanced that in order to actually make a difference for climatechange the promises being made by heads-ofgovernment must come to an end and their actions need to be seen.

The Barbadian PM joined hundreds of world leaders in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt for the 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – COP27.

In the opening of her address, Mottley said: “I don’t need to repeat that we have the power of choice, every speaker on this platform has done that. I don’t need to repeat that this is the COP that needs action all of us as a curse have said that. I don’t need to repeat the horror and the devastation wrecked upon this earth over course of the last 12 months since we met in Glasgow…”

The Prime Minister then noted: “but what we need to do is to understand why we are not moving any further.

One point five (1.5 degree Celsius) to stay alive cannot be that mantra and I take no pride in being associated with having to repeat it over and over and over.”

From page 12 law.” Norton added that government’s disrespect for the rule of law was clearly de-

VEHICLE FOR SALE

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

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

EDUCATION First Aid refresher courses, kindly contact: # 225-9082 to register for Sunday First Aid refresher courses.

New classes for First Aid and home nursing will be starting shortly. Kindly call: 225-9082.

SERVICES FOR SALE Double stalls for sale in Stabroek Market .Call:2273463 or 667-5789 between 8:00hrs to 16:000hrs for enquiries.

highlighted the difference in the cost of capital to those in the global south and global north. As such, she questioned how many more people must speak out before those who have the capacity to instruct the directors at the World Bank to regulate the issue – actually does so.

Mottley said that the world looks still like it did when it was part of an imperialistic empire as the global north borrows between interest rates of 1 to 4% while the global south is faced with 14%. To this end she said, “And then we wonder why the just energy partnerships are not working.”

The Prime Minister questioned, “How many more countries must falter particularly in a world that is suffering the consequences of war and inflation and countries are therefore unable to meet the challenges of finding the necessary resources to finance their way to net zero.”

She then pointed out that if countries that want to do the right thing and finance their way to net-zero is unable to get the critical supplies, inturn those countries will have to rely again on natural gas.

Mottley posited: “This is the ball reality and we have come here to ask us to open our minds to different possibilities. We believe that

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados we have a plan, we believe that they can be the establishment of a climate mitigation trust that unlocks $5 trillion dollars of private sector savings if we can summon the will to use the SDRs (Special Drawing Rights) $500 billion of SDRs…in a way that unlocks the private sector capital.”

The SDRs is an international reserve asset, created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1969 to supplement its member countries’ official reserves.

To date, a total of SDR $660.7 billion (equivalent to about US$943 billion) have been allocated.

The Prime Minister noted that in order to use the SDRs, it requires a change in the attitude of congress. She explained that the agreement that establish the IMF requires 85% to change that agreement and pointed out that the United States of America (USA) holds 17%.

“Similarly, we accept that there was and must be a commitment to unlocking concessional funding for climate vulnerable countries.

There is no way (Continued on page 17)

Speaker blocks Opposition motion, questions...

Cook for bar, ages 35-45 yrs, 6 days per week. Call: 6505321.

Beautiful home in Ogle for sale. Owner wants to migrate and is willing to sell out as fast as possible. Please call owner for information, +592679-6983.

While making reference the fact that organisations manage to find a vaccine within two-years when the Coronavirus pandemic struck back in 2019, Mottley stated that likewise with a collective effort more can be done for climate change.

However, she noted, the simple political will that is necessary not just to attend climate summits year after year and making promises, but to deliver on them and to make a definable difference in the lives of the people who the world leaders have a responsibility to serve – seems not to be capable of being produced.

“I ask us how many more and how much more must happen…I come from a small island state that has high ambitions but is not able to deliver on that high ambition because the global industrial strategy that we have fault lines in it our ability to access electric cars or ability to access batteries or photovoltaic panels are constrained by those countries that have the dominant presence and can produce for themselves but the global south remains at the mercy of the global north on these issues,” Mottley added.

Mottley made reference to the speech made by Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States, which

Visa application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements.

Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

picted when an Attorney-atLaw, Tamieka Clarke was arrested by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU)- an arm of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

As such, he explained, “The foregoing therefore leads one to the conclusion that it cannot be business as usual, and it is in this context that our walkout of the National Assembly must be seen.”

The Opposition has routinely criticized the speaker

for preventing them from asking questions in the House on important national issues.

In addition, they also called him out on several occasions for “butchering” motions submitted by their MPs. In fact only recently, the Alliance For Change (AFC) during a press conference flagged that after eight months it finally received a correspondence from the National Assembling informing that a Motion submitted has been disallowed.

In highlighting the issue, former Minister Catherine Hughes explained, “Questions to the House continue to be butchered, not edited and often lack a timely response. All this is in addition to the infrequent sittings which indirectly silence debate on important issues, as for example, private members day –which occurs every fourth sitting when Opposition issues are examined, can take months now to come around.”

‘Line must be drawn on all future Exxon projects...’

From page 13 to be different... all new discoveries and all new projects need to come under this new dimension or this new paradigm,” he insisted.

Already, both the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have said that the terms of the new PSA announced by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for the 14 oil blocks that are to be auctioned, must apply to the Stabroek Block to level the playing field.

Jagdeo said the new fiscal terms will include a 10 percent royally, 10 percent corporation tax and a ring-fencing provision.

He explained that the 14 oil blocks vary in size but range from approximately 1000 square kilometres to 3000

square kilometres, with the majority of them being close to 2000 square kilometres.

Meanwhile, the Stabroek Block which covers approximately 26,800 square kilometres and is operated by

ExxonMobil and its partners - Hess and CNOOC - remains bound to a separate arrangement in which it pays a mere two percent royalty, no taxes and also recovers expenses from multiple projects from the revenue earned by development, in the absence of ring-fencing provisions.

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

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Pedestrian killed while crossing Agricola Public Road

A

66-year-old pedestrian of Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was on Monday killed while crossing the Agricola Public Road, EBD. Dead is Imtiaz Isahack.

According to Police, at about 08:10h Isahack was hit by motorcar PYY 1162, driven by a 50-year-old resident of Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, while crossing the public road in the vicinity of the Agricola Police Outpost, EBD. Reports are that the motorcar was proceeding north along the Agricola Public Road when Isahack crossed the road from west to east, on the pedestrian crossing. Police said the driver of the motorcar alleged that the 66-year-old

pedestrian ‘walked into his path’ without looking and the front left of the vehicle collided with him, flinging him into the air. Isahack, who received several injuries to his head and body, was

pronounced dead at the scene at about 08:41h by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). His body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Mortuary. A post

mortem examination will be conducted. Meanwhile, a breathalyzer test conducted on the driver showed no trace of alcohol. He remains in police custody, assisting with the investigation.

leader, Lennox Linton, resigned from the position of party leader last month. “We need a refreshed Dominica Labour Party team, for these very unpredictable, unprecedented and very challenging times.

Following the changes we made in 2019, there shall next time around be other changes, to ensure the continued renewal of our Labour Party frontline, and maintain our continued relevance and the achievement of the visionary goals that we have set ourselves and our country.

“The Dominica Labour

Party must continue to be the beacon of hope. It must be the option for those who wish to see our country progress.

The challenges that we face are now…they are already upon us.

We cannot take chances with the future of this country,” Skerrit said, adding that “we have set ourselves on a progressive path of development and growth that will see prosperity for our people and our country”.

“I shall be honored to use the benefits of my 22 years’ experience in politics, to lead

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit the Dominica Labour Party and this country, through this period of global social, political and economic uncertainty.

‘The talk must come to an end...’

From page 16 that developing countries who have been graduated can fight this battle without access to concessional funding,” Mottley said.

Mottley also stated that she believes that it is critical to address the issue of ‘Loss and Damage.’ Loss and Damage is the term used broadly refers to efforts to avert, minimise and address loss and damage associated with climate change impacts, especially in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

The Prime Minister explained, that in order for the ‘Loss and Damage’ to work, it cannot only be the issue of asking the Heads-ofState to do the right thing.

Corentyne man chops wife to death during row

The area on the Agricola Public Road, EBD where the accident occurred (Raul Samaroo photo).

Dominica – Prime Minister Skerrit announces date for snap general election (CMC) - Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Sunday night announced December 6 as the date for a snap general election in Dominica, three years after he led the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to a convincing 18-3 victory in the general election of 2019.

In a radio and television broadcast, Skerrit said Nomination Day will be November 18.

The DLP is expected to face a challenge from the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), which held three seats in the last Parliament, and whose

PAGE 17

She said, “We believe the non-state actors and stakeholders, oil and gas companies and those who facilitate them, needs to be brought for a special convocation between now and COP28.”

Mottley highlighted that how can companies that made $200B in profits within the last three months not expect to contribute at least 10 cents on every dollar of profit to a ‘Loss and Damage’ fund. The Prime Minister said too that she believes that the time has come for the introduction of, “a natural disaster and pandemic clauses in our debt instruments.”

Moreover, the Barbadian Prime Minister stated too that the multilateral developmental banks have to

be reformed.

In fact, she said, “Yes it is time for us to revisit Bretton Woods. Yes, it is time for us to remember that those countries, who sit in this room today, did not exist at the time when the Bretton Woods institutions were formed for the most part.

And therefore we have not seen we have not been heard sufficiently and if we are therefore to rise to the occasion to play our part to stop the tragic loss of life…then there needs to be a new deal with respect to the Bretton Woods institutions and we need to ensure that they have a different view to their risk appetite, that we look at the SDRs and we look at other innovative ways to expand the lending that is available…”

The Bretton Woods Institutions are the World Bank and the IMF. They were set up at a meeting of 43 countries in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA in July 1944. Their aims were to help rebuild the shattered postwar economy and to promote international economic cooperation.

In closing, Mottley noted that time is running out and reminded the world leaders that they have the power of choice. The Barbadian Prime Minister also said, “I ask the people of this world and not the just the leaders therefore to hold us accountable and to ask us to act in your name to save this earth and to save the people of this earth. The choice is ours, what will you do, what will you choose to save.”

The murder accused, Mahendra Paltoo

The deceased, Oma Devi Virasamy

A 30-year-old housewife of Bloomfield New Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice succumbed hours after being chopped by her reputed husband Sunday night.

The dead woman has been identified as Oma Devi Virasamy. Mahendra Paltoo also known as ‘Ajai’ has since confessed to the crime and is in police custody assisting with investigations.

Kaieteur News understands that on Sunday at approximately 19:00 hrs an argument erupted between Paltoo and Virasamy.

Paltoo told police that he had collected a bottle of Absolut Vodka from his neighbours and that Virasamy accused him of being unfaithful. It was the accusation that reportedly started the argument and according to Paltoo, Virsamy pushed him and he armed himself with a cutlass and proceeded to chop her on several parts of her body.

She sustained chop wounds to her right ankle, under her left eye and other parts of the body. However, she was not taken to the hospital. Hours later, she succumbed. Prior to Paltoo’s arrest, he gave authorities a version of what allegedly took place. He told police that on the date and time mentioned above, Virasamy was “making up the bed” for their baby to sleep and that she “slipped and fell” on a cutlass that was hidden between the two mattresses.

This he said caused the injuries she sustained.

Paltoo relayed to the police that he wrapped the wounds and she went to bed but that around 04:40 hrs when he got up, he discovered her motionless on the bed.

Meanwhile, this publication was told that Paltoo previously served time in prison for a case of assault.

Saint Lucia Mobilising Regional, International help after devastating floods In the aftermath of Sunday’s heavy rainfall that triggered devastating flooding in the North of the Island, Saint Lucia has been mobilising regional and international assistance. The disclosure came from Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre at a news conference on Monday at which the Acting Director of the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) was also present. Pierre said NEMO was in contact with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

“NEMO has been in touch with CDEMA and other regional and international disaster response agencies with a view to mobilising assistance for the affected communities,” he said.

At the same time, the Prime Minister said that responders were working around the clock to conduct a damage assessment, clear roads, and drains, and provide relief to affected individuals. In addition, Pierre disclosed that teams were assessing the impact on agriculture.

And he explained that once NEMO presents a damage assessment, the government will determine the nature and extent of the assistance needed and create a complete response programme.

There have been no reports of death following Sunday’s flooding.

However, Pierre and the Acting NEMO Director expressed concern about indiscriminate garbage disposal.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Opposition under fire for alleged attacks on NCN videographers

T

wo videographers of the National Communications Network (NCN) have alleged that they were subjected to intimidation by an Opposition Member of Parliament on Sunday while covering a public meeting of that party in Mocha, East Bank Demerara. However, the party has denied the claims, even as the Guyana Press Association condemns the alleged action of the opposition.

In a statement issued on Monday, the NCN said in the course of executing their duties to provide coverage of the meeting, two of their cameramen were attacked and intimidated led by APNU + AFC Member of Parliament, Nima Flue-Bess.

The NCN said MP Flue-Bess demanded that the cameramen present their IDs. “Upon stating their place of employment, the cameramen were told there was no need for them to record the event.

This was in spite of other cameras that were in place to cover the said event,” NCN said. According to the stateowned broadcaster, having stood their ground to execute their duties, MP Flue-Bess then called the police officials present to have the cameramen removed.

“The Inspector and Sergeant on the scene engaged the cameramen and then threatened to seize their equipment if they recorded the event, NCN reported. “It was only after the intervention of a Senior Officer that the cameramen were able to proceed with the execution of their duties.”

According to NCN, Sunday’s incident was not the first instance during

Member of Parliament, Nima Flue-Bess which its staff have been attacked and intimidated and denied access to events hosted by APNU + AFC. “During the National Toshao’s Conference in July, another camera-operator who arrived to give coverage to the Opposition’s reception for the leaders at Bookland Gardens, Woolford Avenue, was turned away by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton.

In May this year in Linden, the NCN team was again attacked during a poorly attended walk-about the Opposition had in Amelia’s Ward. Last month, a member of the news team posed a question to the Opposition Leader over his threats to remove Jermaine Figuera as Region 10 Party chairman after he shook hands and interacted with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali while on a walk about in Linden. After evading the question, Mr. Norton instead attacked the company’s coverage of his party’s events,” NCN said in its statement. “NCN forthrightly condemns these attacks by the APNU + AFC

on its staff and views it as a direct attempt to intimidate and prevent them for performing their duties at a public event. This exposes a glaring double standard by the APNU + AFC which claim that NCN withholds coverage of their events.

NCN has since lodged a formal complaint with the Guyana Police Force and has informed the Guyana Press Association.

Meanwhile, in r e s p o n d i n g t o N C N ’s statement, the APNU+AFC said it noted with much concern, “a malicious press release published by the National Communications Network (NCN) purporting to impute improper motives against the joint political organisations.

We categorically refute these assertions as completely defamatory, mischievous and intended to create conflict between the political parties, and the media and as a feeble attempt to justify NCN’s refusal to allow the opposition equal air time.”

According to the opposition, at no time “were media operatives attacked by

any APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, supporter or any person at the public meeting in Mocha, East Bank of Demerara on Sunday, 6th November 2022.”

The coalition said on Sunday MP Flue-Bess in the c o m p a n y o f P e o p l e ’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Public Relations Officer, Ms. Shaneika Haynes, approached two unfamiliar men attempting to record the public meeting without a press pass or any form of identification and inquired whether they were members of the media and representatives of which organization. ”They were then cautioned against impersonating the media in the presence of the police and allowed to record the meeting without interference. Astonishingly, t h e N a t i o n a l Communications Network (NCN) now claims that the gentlemen are within their employ contrary to the said employees at the time stating that they were employed by a n o t h e r n e w s a g e n c y.

Despite all the untruthful and ill-intent claims listed, the

fact remains despite the alleged NCN employees failing to comply with standard regulations for members of the media, they were allowed to document the meeting. Further, we call on the state-owned agency to follow all journalism and media coverage ethics and equip personnel with the necessary means of identification when covering assignments.”

Norton must set tone For its part, the Guyana Press Association condemned what it termed all acts of intimidation and attacks on media workers.

The GPA said on Monday, it was reported that two production videographers attached to the state-owned National Communications Network were intimidated by a named sitting APNU/AFC Member of Parliament and persons who were attending the APNU Public Meeting held on Sunday, 6th November, 2022 in the East Bank Village of Mocha. Reports from the two videographers are that they were confronted by several persons when they turned up to provide

coverage to the public meeting. They said too that they were denied access to sound by persons operating the sound system and were verbally abused by the MP and several persons at the public meeting on several occasions. At several times, the videographers sought the intervention of the Guyana Police Force while at the venue.

“The Guyana Press Association condemns this most reprehensible act of harassment and intimidation of media workers.

We urge the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Aubrey Norton to first and foremost set the tone of relations with the media by being forthcoming with proper and detailed answers rather than being abrasive and evasive when asked for details and supporting evidence,” the GPA stated.

“The Guyana Press Association reiterates that media workers are to be respected by all and call on politicians as well as other members of the public to respect the need for media workers to operate in an environment free of intimidation.

As we approach another election cycle, the GPA expects that the media would be allowed to operate without intimidation, resentment and free from abuse, especially from those who hold political offices.”

The media body said gone should be the era when a TV news camera is snatched and taken to Congress Place, media workers are labeled vultures or identified in an unflattering manner by political figures at public meetings.

Putin-linked businessman admits to US election meddling (AP) - Kremlinconnected entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin admitted Monday that he had interfered in U.S. elections and would continue to do so — confirming for the first time the accusations that he has rejected for years.

“We have interfered, are interfering and will continue to interfere. Carefully, precisely, surgically and in our own way,” Prigozhin said in remarks posted on social media. The statement, from the press service of his catering company that earned him the nickname “Putin’s chef,” came on the eve of U.S. midterm

elections in response to a request for comment.

It was the second major admission in recent months by the 61-year-old businessman who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin has previously sought to keep his activities under the radar and now appears increasingly interested in gaining political clout. In September, he also publicly stated that he was behind the Wagner Group mercenary force — something he also had previously denied — and talked openly about its involvement in Russia’s 8month-old war in Ukraine.

The military contractor also has sent its forces to places like Syria and sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2018, Prigozhin and a dozen other Russian nationals and three Russian companies were charged in the U.S. with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord and dividing American public opinion ahead of the 2016 presidential election won by Republican Donald Trump.

They were indicted as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference.

The Justice Department in 2020 moved to dismiss charges against two of the indicted firms, Concord Management and Consulting LLC and Concord Catering, saying they had concluded that a trial against a corporate defendant with no presence in the U.S. and no prospect of meaningful punishment even if convicted would likely expose sensitive law enforcement tools and techniques.

I n J u l y, t h e S t a t e Department offered a reward of up to $10 million for information about Russian interference in U.S. elections, including on

Prigozhin and the Internet Research Agency, the troll farm in St. Petersburg that his companies were accused of funding.

Prigozhin had denied involvement in election interference until now.

Russian media, prisoner’s rights groups and relatives of prisoners this year reported an extensive effort by Wagner and sometimes Prigozhin personally to recruit convicts to fight in Ukraine.

Prigozhin hasn’t directly confirmed it, but said in one statement that “either (the Wagner private military company) and convicts, or

your children” will be fighting on the front lines.

Last week, Wagner opened a business center in S t . P e t e r s b u rg , w h i c h Prigozhin has described as a platform for “increasing the defense capabilities” of Russia. On Sunday, he also announced through the Concord press service the creation of training centers for militias in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions that border Ukraine. “A local resident, like no one else, knows his territories, is able to fight against sabotage and reconnaissance groups and take the first blow if necessary,” he said.

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Coalition Govt. failed to deliver 71% of – Auditor textbooks purchased for schools General T

he Auditor General (AG), in a Performance Audit Report on the receipt, storage and distributions of textbooks to schools, has indicated that during the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) administration 71 percent of 303,422 textbooks requested by schools in Regions Two, Four, Six and Seven for the years 2017 and 2018 were undelivered.

The Performance Audit which was conducted to find out how well the Ministry of Education had managed the distribution of textbooks to meet the needs of schools stated that millions were spent to purchase these books.

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, said over the years, there were large budgetary allocations for the procurement of textbooks

for schools countrywide. For the years 2017 and 2018, the Ministry expended over $989M on primary and secondary education.

Although large sums of money were expended, stakeholders complained of insufficient textbooks at the schools which resulted in parents purchasing textbooks for their children.

Previous Auditor General Reports commented on many deficiencies related to the provision of textbooks and continued breaches of the Procurement Act 2003 and the Stores Regulations, this prompted the performance audit.

The Audit Report highlighted that of the 71 percent, there was stock-out of core textbooks for long periods at the Book Distribution Unit and that there were 17 schools which had over 5,000 excess, unused textbooks stored, while many other schools

Termites damaged textbooks at Soesdyke Secondary School (Audit Office of Guyana)

had shortages of the same textbooks. “As a result, textbooks were not being used efficiently as intended by the Ministry, whose objective is to have equitable allocation and distribution of textbooks at schools,” the Report stated.

The audit found too that the Ministry failed to give

schools thousands of textbooks requested.

It highlighted that this caused shortages of textbooks at primary and secondary schools, as each learner could not receive a textbook for core subjects, as required in the Ministry’s Book Policy.

In addition to the unused

books, the AG found that rats and termites damaged textbooks which were stored at the Suddie, Soesdyke and New Amsterdam Primary schools. Flagging the issue, the AG indicated that this is a health hazard to both learners and teachers.

The Audit Office made 16 recommendations to

management for improvements. Of the recommendations, the Office recommends that the Ministry and the Procurement Officer ensure proper contract management for the procurement and prompt delivery of textbooks to avoid textbook shortages in schools.

House passes Constitutional Reform Bill ...Govt., Opposition participation crucial to moving process forward - Deputy Speaker The Constitutional Reform Bill was on Monday passed in the National Assembly in the absence of the main political opposition, A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) party.

The Opposition had staged a walk out as the Bill was being presented by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC during Monday’s Sitting of the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Georgetown.

Nandlall, during his presentation, noted importance of constitutional reform as a fundamental process for an evolving society. He said process requires widespread participation – not only from the country’s political leadership but also the citizenry.

He said that the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill caters for the establishment of a Commission to review the country’s supreme laws. The Commission will be tasked with gathering information to submit to the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reform for its

Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC input before going to the House as amendments to the Constitution.

According to Nandlall, the country’s constitutional landscape requires periodic review to ensure that as the society evolves and as the country transforms, the Constitution reflects that transformation.

As such, the Attorney General said that constitutional reform has rightfully been a forefront issue for all stakeholders.

“This work of constitutional

reform is not only of national importance but it forms the platform promise of every single political party that contested the last elections.

As I said, by its very nature, it requires the full participation of the Parliament, it requires bipartisanship if it is to succeed,” he said.

Nandlall continued: “The PPP government is aware that the issues concerning constitutional reform, particularly in relation to an inclusive

Deputy Speaker, Lennox Shuman governance model, management of elections, enhancing rights of Guyanese and ensuring constitutional language are simplified…I hope that the people of this country are looking on and are seeing that we have made a promise and we are in the process of delivering on that promise.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lennox Shuman, shared this perspective that despite its importance to the citizenry, constitutional

reform has been made into a “political football” for both the Government of Guyana and Opposition. Both the Government and Opposition have promised constitutional reform. This is yet to be achieved.

During his contribution to the debate on the legislation, Shuman said he believes that constitutional reform is paramount and urges the “wholehearted and full support” of all stakeholders to drive the process forward.

Shuman requested that the government considers adding including another representative from a NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisations (NGOs) that represents Indigenous people. Further, he proposed that the Indigenous People’s Commission lead countrywide consultations within Indigenous communities. “…It is my humble view that we reach as many of those people in those communities as possible and it is my hope that when we go through this process, those far-flung communities are given extra attention so that they can fully and meaningfully contribute to the process,” the Deputy Speaker said.

Shuman expressed disappointment that members of the APNU+AFC opposition were absent from Monday’s debate.

“Constitutional reform, in my humble view, should not be an issue of which side of the political line you sit...Yet there is a party that claims to represent over 50 percent of the people but decide that they do not want to participate in this very critical and important discussion,” Shuman said.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Tuesday November 08, 2022

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

IBA announces major increases in prize money for amateur boxers In what can only be described as a monumental and historic day for the sport of boxing, the International Boxing Association (IBA) has increased their prize pool by an enormous 50% for the impending 2023 World Championships slated for Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 1st-14th.

This was confirmed by an official release from the local governing authority, the Guyana Boxing Association.

Although several notable initiatives inclusive of the impending launches of the Global Boxing Forum, and the IBA Development and Training Office in the UAE, were announced by IBA President Umar Kremlev, the most inspired declaration was the expansion of the prize money for the gold, silver and bronze medal winners.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle The gold medalist will be awarded US$200,000, with the silver, and bronze medallists bestowed US$100,000, and US$50,000 respectively. In total, a record US$5.2 million

will be awarded during the tournament, which is a historic feat, and is an increase of approximately 50% to the previous prize pool of US2.6 million.

“For the first time in history, we will have a record prize money fund, $5.2 million USD. For the first place, the award is $200,000 USD, for the second place $100,000 USD, and for each bronze medalist $50,000 USD”, Kremlev said.

The prize monies mark a 100 percent increase from the last World Championship where a gold medal was worth US$100,000.

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle, declared that the announcement is nothing short of extraordinary, and emanates on the heels of fruitful consultation and discourse within the IBA family under the astute leadership of Kremlev.

He stated, “Context is important, what we are witnessing when it is brought into existence, is a game

Georgetown Football...

Tuesday November 08, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You might have planned an exciting evening with friends or your current love interest, but you have to postpone it due to forces beyond your control.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Upsetting events in the neighborhood might have family members in a funk.

This could be something major like construction crews tearing up the streets.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might hear a rather distressing rumor about one or more people you know or perhaps about your working situation.

Don't be surprised if more than one person phones or emails to fill you in on this.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Personal or professional projects you've been working on might be moving a bit more slowly than you're comfortable with today, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you might feel stifled by your current situation.

Perhaps you're thinking of changing jobs or professions, or maybe you're considering moving to a more exotic place.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Attempts to master a new computer program or other form of high-tech equipment could seem to be going nowhere, Virgo.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The rapid level of growth that you've probably been experiencing could suddenly prove too much for you today, Libra. You might need to take a little breather to grasp what's happening in your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The energy that has propelled you forward for the past several weeks might seem to lag a bit today.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you might experience a slight (and very temporary) dark night of the soul, Sagittarius. You could take a long look at your life and, even though you're doing well.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A group with which you're affiliated could be excited about a course of action that you might not feel is wise now, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Plans for getting together with friends or a romantic partner might have to be postponed because of professional responsib ilities that need attention.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) For the past several days, you've been fairly lucky in financial and material terms.

But the day ahead will be an exception. If you're planning to make an investment, sign a contract, or purchase a major item

From page 23 minute. The sealer was scored

by Kerron Powell in the 1201-minute spelling the end of a robust and brave show by Santos and they will now play the Guyana Defence Force in the third-place game since the Army lost to home team GFC, by the lone goal of their clash.

Unlike the main game, GFC, known as the giant killers, scored in just the 12th minute from a well-directed, flat shot from just at the top of the box off the boot of Lennox Young. It turned out to be the ‘Golden’ goal of the match even as the Soldiers threw all the artillery they possessed at the young GFC side.

The home team represented well, and despite being placed on the back foot by one of their own, Lennox Cort, who was booked for the second time in the match (22nd & 73rd) resulting in his removal from the pitch, they stood rock solid to deny the Army and secure their place and date with Western Tigers on their home turf.

changing initiative for amateur boxing led by President Kremlev following discussions with all and sundry within the IBA family for the betterment, sustainability and overall viability of the sport. This is a marvellous day for amateur boxing.”

According to Ninvalle, “We are entering a realm where the financial opportunities are endless for amateur boxing. Perspective is key, this announcement provides the avenue and platform for a life changing reality for boxers especially those from the Caribbean region and local shores. Any medalist, especially a gold medal winner essentially can secure or be on the path of achieving generational wealth, as most combatants

emanate from the working class strata.

This announcement cannot be understated, and should be heralded, as it provides the prospect for amateurs to achieve financial and security through sporting accomplishments.”

Presently, middleweight ‘Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam, following his exploits at the Commonwealth Games, as well as bronze medal attainments at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Championship, and South American Games, is the highest ranked local IBA pugilist on 23rd. Keevin Allicock, who also secured a bronze medal at the South American Games, is ranked 54th in the featherweight division.

DCUSA AGM set for January 8 The Demerara Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (DCUSA) will stage its Annual General Meeting on January 8, 2023 at 10:00hrs at MYO. All area associations-

East Coast, West Demerara, Georgetown and Upper Demerara are asked to take note.

Among the items on the agenda are Reports from area associations, Minutes of previous meeting, financial statement and election of office bearers.

PAGE 22

Hayley Matthews (CWI)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

West Indies Women to host England Women in Antigua and Barbados SportsMax – West Indies Wo m e n w i l l w e l c o m e England Women to the Caribbean for an eightmatch series next month.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the match schedule yesterday which consists of a three-match CG United One-Day International (ODI) Series and a five-match T20 International (T20I) Series from Sunday 4 December to Thursday 22 December.

The CG United ODIs will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

(SVRS) in Antigua on 4, 6 and 9 December. The three ODIs form part of the ICC Women’s Championship.

The first T20I will also be at SVRS on 11 December. The tour then moves to Barbados for four T20Is at Kensington Oval on 14, 17, 18 and 22 December.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming home series as both teams will look use the series as part of their preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to

be played in South Africa early next year.

“We are really looking forward to this series against England. It will be hugely important for us. I’m hoping we can pick up some points i n t h e I C C Wo m e n ’s Championship as we take on a strong opposition at home.

We also have our eyes on the ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa.

It is always a big thing playing in a World Cup and this will be my first as captain so I will look to lead from the front. We will go in looking to play really good cricket and give it all we have,” she said.

The eighth edition of the marquee event will begin on 10 February 2023 with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha will host the matches in the tournament with the knockout matches set to be played in Cape Town. The final will be held on 26 February.

The 10 teams will be

drawn in two groups as follows, Group 1: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh; with Group 2: England, India, West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland.

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE West Indies Women v England Women ODIs start 2pm (1pm Jamaica) T20Is start 6pm (5pm Jamaica) Sunday, 4 December – 1st CG United ODI at SVRS Tuesday, 6 December – 2nd CG United ODI at SVRS Friday, 9 December – 3rd CG United ODI at SVRS Sunday, 11 December – 1st T20I at SVRS We d n e s d a y, 1 4 December – 2nd T20I at Kensington Oval Saturday, 17 December – 3rd T20I at Kensington Oval Sunday, 18 December – 4th T20I at Kensington Oval Thursday, 22 December – 5th T20I at Kensington Oval

Chance lands MVP Sports...

From page 21 Championships. “MVP Sports is definitely putting me closer to where I want to be with regards to support, being able to get to more competitions and being able to support myself as an athlete in the United States. It’s not just about living expenses, supplements etc. its more than that, like therapy, so I am definitely grateful for what MVP is doing for me,” he said. The elite athlete, who recently competed at the Joint Services event in Guyana over the weekend, before winging out to the United States of America, “extended gratitude” to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo for his support.

Bramble’s 60 gives Guyana...

From page 22 the Berbician could not replicate his match winning knock against the Red Force last Wednesday, and put the Volcanoes in the ascendency. The Windwards began their reply in horrendous fashion when the dangerous Johnson Charles (2) edged Shepherd to the Keeper off the third ball of the run chase to leave the Windwards on 2-1 and things got progressively worse when Alex Athanaze, who scored centuries in his first two innings, provided Bramble with his second as Clinton Pestano struck at 6-2.

Hope, the other centurion for the Windwards, stitched together a 66-run stand with Ambris to steady the ship with both batters playing good shots on both sides of the wicket.

However, with score 73 in the 20th over, Rutherford bowled Ambris and Motie had Andre Fletcher (0) bowled as played the ball onto his stumps and the Guyanese were back in the fight with the score on 73-4.

Hodge and Greaves added 22 to the score to move to 95 before Greaves tried to go over the top and holed out to Shepherd as Veerasammy Permaul broke the stand.

Tvyn Walcott (2) and Larry Edwards (0) were quickly removed by Motie and when John (1) was LBW to Shepherd, the Windwards had lost four wickets for 10 runs and Hope was in danger of being left stranded.

McSween (12) was removed by Rutherford at 125-9 after adding 20 with Hope who was last out as Rutherford hit the final nail in the coffin.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

PAGE 23

Chance lands MVP Sports endorsement for 2023 Season - says athletes need tangible support to succeed Guyana’s national indoor 400m record holder and University of South Carolina standout, Arinze Chance has landed his second major endorsement in Guyana, while joining the timeimmemorial chorus of those who have called for substantial support for local athletes.

Chance received the endorsement of local sports equipment and apparel giant, MVP Sports over the weekend, and in an unselfish act of sportsmanship, called on the local administration of sport to do more for athletes. Powerade, which is distributed by Banks DIH Limited, has also endorsed Chance.

“For any athlete to succeed, they need support and financial support is the most important form of support; athletes need encouragement,” Chance indicated, adding that his experience from competing across the world has taught him some valuable lessons about the sport. He said that importance of incentives for athletes cannot be understated.

“I learnt that athletes

from other countries get an incentive before they even attend those Games. We are lacking this in Guyana, there is no support before, during or after competitions and there is no incentive for doing the sport we enjoy,” the outstanding studentathlete said.

He related that his counterparts right here in the Caribbean - Trinidad, Jamaica and others - are far more incentivized and supported at all levels than athletes here in Guyana and the results can be seen in those countries’ p e r f o r m a n c e s internationally, along with the added national benefit of sports tourism there.

According to Chance, Guyana loses a lot of athletes along the way as a result of this lack of more tangible support; he believes the lack of support is the missing link for greater success from sport generally, and affects Guyana’s ability to develop a national identity.

“Sports assist in helping a country develop and also help in achieving national identity; knowing certain countries, you know they are

identified by certain sports.

We can do the same if we have the kind of support like athletes from those countries,” he said.

“We need solutions, athletes need to find comfort in representing this country.

It’s not only about national pride, but sustenance for themselves; athletes need to get money. Once athletes get an incentive to compete, they will do well, once the athletes do well, the association and the country looks good,” the national sprinter continued Chance believes that associations need to work closer with the Private Sector to learn more about the business of sport. He said that both of his endorsements were achieved through his individual mobilization, when the association should be the vanguard.

According to him, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) are like parents, and “the president and administrators need to consider the needs of their athletes, like therapists and gears, for instance”. He

ExxonMobil sponsored/New Era planned Futsal Final

Unknown brush aside Achievers 17-8 to cop $500,000 prize and bragging rights It as goals galore when the final night of the ExxonMobil sponsored New Era planned futsal championship was staged last Saturday night at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden.

Playing in the final to decide which team will capture $500,000 and bragging rights, the Unknown side outran Achievers 17-8 as their opponents was relegated to collecting $200,000 as YMCA took the third place of $100,000 from R9 based on a 15-5 result.

Present at the final were Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips along with Guyana Football federation President Wayne Forde, Chairman of the National Sports Commission Kashif Muhammad, Chairman of the Guyana Tourism Association Aubrey ‘Shanghai ‘Major and President of the Upper Demerara Football Association Wainwright Bethune.

Team Unknown’s tactical play was superior to their final’s opponent and it was clear which side was the superior one on the night.

Having knocked out some of the favourite

teams on their way to the final, Unknown, showed their class from the opening whistle and the final score was not a surprise at all.

The leading scorers for the Unknown winners were Jermaine Beckles with five, Adrian Aaron again was in top form this time grabbing four, Rian Hackette had four, while Darrel George, Donovan Francis, Kennard Simon and Eusi Phillips each netted once.

For the losers Joel Isaacs and Mickel Jeffrey both had hat-tricks as Amaniki Buntin connected twice for the losers.

For third place, Team YMCA outplayed Team R9 15-5 as Antwoine Gill grabbed five goals, Shemual Forde, Claude Dennis, Levar Phillips, Shawn Arthur and Grievan Higgins each had doubles, while LaShawn Dey added a single strike in the win for the Team YMCA. Amanique Mayers and Jomain Kingston each netted twice and Devante Tappin once for the losing Team R9 side.

Unknown will now decide with New Era and ExxonMobil what project they would have done in a community of their choosing.

said these parents need to “treat their athletes like their children”; like it is the association’s responsibility to take care of them, and not like a “liability”. Chance also indicated that since his return from the Commonwealth Games in August this year he has been trying to meet with the Minister of Sport or officials at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports but so far those attempts have been futile.

Chance believes that athletes and the association that govern the sport can have a “mutual beneficial relationship”, instead of the often-strained relationship owed in a lot of instances to the athlete’s mistreatment.

He related that the recent Keevin Allicock story was a big embarrassment to the country and the athlete, but it was just once instance where such mistreatment was publicised. Chance informed that there are many instances of administrations failing athletes that go unpublished.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo (left) hands over the endorsement package to Arinze Chance at the store’s Giftland Mall location.

“The whole issue with Keevin at the South American Championships is just the first time it is actually being publicised for many persons to understand how athletes are being treated. It was an embarrassment and wake up call,” he observed.

Chance was awarded a full athletics scholarship to the University of South Carolina in 2018 and broke the school’s 16-year-old 400m indoor record a year later. His personal best outdoor time is 46.05 seconds in 2019 while his indoor best is 46.15 that

same year. His season best this year is 46.66 seconds as h e s e t s s i g h t s Wo r l d Championships in Hungary.

Chance, who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, indicated that he cannot thank MVP Sports enough for their timely gesture. He said that training and competing in the United States and anywhere is expensive and MVP Sports will help him cover those expenses since his goal is to compete in as many events leading up to the World (Continued on page 20)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Tuesday November 08, 2022

Allicock adjudged Best Boxer as Shoba Promotions New Chapter Boxing Card come off with a bang

Masters singles squash champion Nicolette Fernandes with Promotor Shoba DaSilva and her husband.

Allicock’s supporters celebrate with him.

The inaugural Shoba Promotions New Chapter Boxing Card got off with Bang last Saturday at Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary with Olympian Keevin Allicock winning the feature bout against Berbician Joel Williamson to cop the Best Boxer Award.

Watched by a large and vocal gathering which included top female athletes, former World Champion Shondell Alfred and Squash

Queen Nicolette Fernandes, Allicock fighting in the 5760 kg division, defeated Williamson from the Rose Hall Jammers by a unnanamos decision.

Fighting out of the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym, Allicock, just back from the South American Games and fully recovered from his much publicized illness, was too good for his opponent. WBL Junior Lightweight Champion,

Policeman Stephan DaSilva, the husband of the first female Boxing Promoter, presented Allicock with his trophy and Best Boxer Award. The Police Boxing Gym, Coached by Boxer Dexter ‘the Kid’ Marques, won half of the 10 fights on the Card, while FYF Coached by National Coach Sebert Blake won four bouts.

Bryan Leitch of Republican Boxing Gym won the other fight.

Results: 1st match (4952 kg) (Won on points) Deron Williams (Police) vs Ryan Persaud (REP) 2nd match (63.5-67 kg) Shamar Halley (FYF) vs (Won on points) Clifton Graham (Police) 3th match (57-60 kg) (Won on points) Richard Howard (FYF) vs Andrea Bess (R.H.J) 4th Match 57-60 kg) (Won by RSC first

round) Patrick Harvey (FYF) vs Kelvin Richardson (REP) 5th match (63.5-67 kg) ( Wo n o n p o i n t s ) Donovan Richardson (Police) vs Jahmal Eastman (R.H.J) 6th match (67-71 kg) Mark Crawford (FYF) vs (Won on points) Emmanuel Sancho (Police) 7th match (75-80 kg) (Won by RSC second round) Brian Harris (FYF) vs

Corwin Danjon (Police) 8th match (92 kg) Shaquel Dianmond (FYF) vs (Won by RSC second round) Bryan Leitch (REP) 9th match (57-60 kg) (Won on Points) Dexter Wray (Police) vs Anthony Patterson (REP) 10th match (57-60 kg) (Won on points UD) Keevin Allicock (FYF) vs Joel Williamson (R.H.J) (Sean Devers)

GC United Super50

Bramble’s 60 gives Guyana 69-run win to move to top of Zone A

By Sean Devers in Trinidad At the Brian Lara Academy in South Trinidad last night, Guyana Harpy Eagles defeated the Windwards Volcanos by 69 runs for their third win in four matches to take them to six points.

The Red Force and CCC game ended in no-result leaving them on five points from four matches, while CCC collected their first points as the Windwards, in third place, remain on four points.

The penultimate round is set for tomorrow when Guyana face Red Force in Port-of-Spain from 9am and CCC face the Windwards in the day/night game from 2pm.

Harpy Eagles were bowled out for 190 in 43 overs despite a 93-run opening stand between Anthony Bramble, who hit eight fours and two sixes in

60 from 58 balls and Tagenarine Chanderpaul who made 30 from 48 balls with two fours.

But like Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, who reached the boundary thrice in 37 from balls and Kevin Sinclair who made 36 with three fours from 54 balls, failed to convert 30s into 50s.

Pacer Romario Greaves had 4-39, Kaveem Hodge took 3-9, while Preston McSween took 2-46 for the Volcanoes who 129 in 38 overs with Sunil Ambris making 43 from 53 balls with five fours.

Ambris and Hope, who scored an unbeaten 38 from 97 balls with one four had added 66 for the third wicket after coming together at 6-2 but nobody offered resistance as Gudakesh Motie (3-31), Sherfane Rutherford (3-25) and Romario Shepherd (2-26) did the damage with the ball

for the team from the South American mainland.

Guyana won the toss in overcast conditions and opted to bat on track which offered a bit of pace and bounce and Bramble waded in fast bowler Ryan John; pulling him for a couple of fours before hitting him for six over cover in the fourth over which 16 runs.

Bramble edged McSween over the slips for four before slashing him to the point boundary while the left-handed Chanderpaul, who departs the Caribbean today for Australia, played the supporting role as the partnership took shape.

Bramble was not afraid to play his shots and hooked McSween just short of the man on backward square boundary and then went for four to bring up the 50 in 9.4 over.

Bramble hit off-spinner Kenneth Dember back over his head for six to post his

third fifty in the format from 38 balls.

Chanderpaul was just looking set when he was removed by Greaves to trigger a top order collapse.

In a well-controlled spell, Greaves got rid of the first four batters as Guyana lost Bramble, Leon Johnson (7), and Tevin Imlach (8) as four wickets tumbled for 24 runs as bad shot selection aided in orchestrating the batters demise.

Hetmyer looked his best for the tournament and viciously pulled Greaves for boundaries before Rutherford (4) fell to John at 137-5.

Sinclair joined Hetmyer and they batted sensibly with Sinclair, showing promise of becoming a genuine allrounder, favouring the cut while executed some welltimed drives.

But with the partnership on 31 Hetymer, who is having a lean Super50 by his

Bramble raises hit bat on reaching 50 as he and Chanderpaul added 93 for first wicket. (Sean Devers) standards, was dismissed by McSween at 168-6.

H e t m y e r ’s d e m i s e triggered another collapse as the last five wicket fell for 22 runs with Sinclair, who

played some elegant covers drives being last out as Hope picked up his third scalp.

When Hodge has bowled

by Shepherd for one at 183-8 (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday November 08, 2022

PAGE 25

AJM Enterprise set to sponsor the entire ‘Group 4’ at the GMRSC International Race Of Champions

T

he countdown has begun to the most anticipated motor sport event to end 2022 hosted by the GMRSC. The South Dakota track is presently buzzing with preparation for the International Race Of Champions carded this Sunday 13thNovember.

The drivers have been practicing daily on the newly designed extension to the existing track. Making their debut in hosting the VVIP Section for the upcoming meet is AJM Enterprise who has been extremely supportive of the club. The contracting firm has supplied a range of heavyduty machinery to assist in the preparing roads and back filling for additional carparks etc.

The company has also sealed an agreement with the GMRSC to sponsor the entire Group 4 prizes and has therefore given the green light to rename the race, ‘AJM No Limits’.

Considered as one of the featured races of the day, strict technical regulations will apply to ensure all drivers have an even opportunity at taking home the winning trophy and prize

Mahendra ‘Raj’ Boodhoo of the GMR&SC collects the sponsorship AJM’s Kimbile Rajkumar for the Group 4 races. money.

The Group 4 TECHNICAL REGULATIONS (4WD) FI 2185cc Tub Chassis = 2185 x 1.7 X 0.65 + 180 = 2595 lbs.

(4WD) FI 2275cc Tub Chassis = 2275 x 1.7 X 0.65 + 180 = 2694 lbs.

TYRE & RIM RESTRICTIONS 1. 2WD - 13 inch tires width X 19 inch diameter

maximum allowed.

2. AWD - 10 inch tires width X 19 inch diameter maximum allowed.

3. A maximum of 8 Slick tires of any make or compound are allowed for qualifying and racing per event, rain tires are free.

4. Competitors will be allowed one additional Slick tire if any of the 8 Slick tires allowed, are punctured, damaged or for any other

reason, which, in the opinion of the Scrutineers renders such tire unusable.

N.B. Normal wear & tear will not be considered a reason for replacement.

5. These tires must be declared to the scrutineers and registered before qualifying commences.

BODYWORK for Production based chassis.

1. The body structure of the vehicle between the front and rear windscreens must be identified as having been derived from series produced vehicle generally available for purchase by the public, of which 2500 units were manufactured in any one production year. The engine/gearbox must remain in the same general location and orientation.

2. Unlimited lightening or substitution of panels or body structure may be carried out provided that in the opinion of the scrutineers an unsafe condition is not produced.

However, the passenger compartment must still be sealed from the engine compartment, wheel arches and fuel cell etc.

3. Front and rear windscreen can be substituted with a

polycarbonate material such as LEXAN. BODYWORK for Tubular based chassis 1. The body structure can be partly or completely substituted.

SUSPENSION AND RUNNING GEAR 1. The principle of the suspension may be changed.

For example, strut suspension may be substituted by wishbone type suspension. A live rear axle may be substituted by independent rear suspension.

2. Transmission and final drive - complete freedom 3. Traction and launch control systems are allowed.

BRAKES 1. Carbon fiber components are not allowed.

FUEL 1. The fuel used must be commercially available gasoline of either the automotive or aviation type or an approved racing blend.

The use of Ethanol or other such substances as a primary or secondary injected fuel will be allowed.

Methanol can only be used as a secondary fuel source.

2. No nitrous oxide or such injected systems are

allowed.

AJM Enterprise was granted permission to place prominently displayed logo on each vehicle as part of the sponsorship benefits. As a fellow racer himself Mr. Nasrudeen ‘Junior’ Mohamed is in discussions with the GMRSC to enter a long-term agreement to host the VVIP Section and sponsor various races.

Speaking to reporters on his newest sponsorship agreement for GMRSC Mr. Mohamed outlined, “AJM will be sparing no expense to host this year ’s VVIP Section for the races. We are willing to support the committee in any way possible to ensure longevity of the sport. We have so far enhanced the sound, access to the VVIP parking, access for spectators, the first aid booth and a captivating VVIP décor and hospitality.

So, we can be sure this Sunday you can eat and drink to your hearts leisure while watching the excitement live or on replay on our LED screens around the VVIP. Tickets and accommodation are almost finished so get them while stocks last. This Sunday all roads lead to South Dakota.”

Georgetown Football Association Senior League final dye cast - Western Tigers trounce Santos; 10-man GFC needle defenseless GDF Well it’s all now down to the final of the Georgetown Football Association Senior League which would be contested this Sunday at the GFC Ground following last Sunday’s semi-finals which saw Western Tigers and Georgetown Football Club romping to well-deserved and hard-fought victories which sealed their date in the championship match.

Watched by a fair-sized crowd under dark skies which at times felt like it was going to rain, but it didn’t, Western Tigers, contesting the feature match against old nemesis Santos, needed extra time to stamp their authority in a bruising exchange.

Like it had happened in three of the four quarterfinals, no clear winner came to the fore at the end of regulation and stoppage time, so an extra 30 minutes was required to

GDF in desperate times as they search for the equaliser against GFC.

Andrew Murray is on the ball in the attacking third for Western Tigers against Santos on Sunday night. separate the two sides. This simply meant that the fittest of the two combatants would emerge unscathed and for sure, the other would be seriously wounded.

As it turned out, the Tigers ensured that they stood tall at the end of the

battle. Neither side were clinical in the respective final third and at times, the match lacked energy with each side just contented to move the ball around the park and wait for something to happen, rather than make it happen.

Eventually though, Western Tigers mustered the fortitude so to do and eventually broke the deadlock when Michael Oie rocketed one past Goalkeeper Alex Murray between the uprights for Santos. It was the 105th

minute that the deadlock was finally broken.

This brought the Tigers’ fans from West Ruimveldt to their feet whilst it dented the confidence of the Santos supporters.

But, it was the beginning of the flood gates being

opened to some extent for the Western lads. Eight minutes later, the Tigers Captain, Daniel Wilson who controlled the midfield (engine room) put the game beyond the reach of Santos when he scored in the 113th (Continued on page 21)

s t r o Sp

IBA announces major increases in prize money for amateur boxers IBA President Umar Kremlev

WBL Champ Stephen DaSilva with Allicock and Williamson after their fight.

Allicock adjudged Best Boxer as Shoba Promotions New Chapter Boxing Card come off with a bang ExxonMobil sponsored/New Era planned Futsal Final Team Unknown collect their prize after winning the New Era ExxonMobil Futsal tournament in Linden as several officials share the moment.

Unknown brush aside Achievers 17-8 to cop $500,000 prize and bragging rights GC United Super50

Bramble’s 60 gives Guyana 69-run win to move to top of Zone A

AJM Enterprise set to sponsor the entire ‘Group 4’ at the GMRSC Int’l Race Of Champions

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.