Kaieteur News

UN Human Rights K NEWS Chief warns of ‘living nightmare’ in Gaza AIETEUR

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Thursday Edition November 09, 2023 - Vol. 16 No. 46

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 53,618

Exxon refused to hand over Guyana's raw production data to Chartered Accountant and team leader, Floyd Haynes

ExxonMobil Guyana Head, Alistair Routledge

auditors

...instead instructs auditors to review sales report Exxon’s dishonourable actions - Former signal contempt for Guyana Ambassador

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 09, 2023

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 09, 2023

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

Specifically, the team said in a report seen by this newspaper that Exxon was asked to provide a schematic diagram showing all metering points on the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

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

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

ExxonMobil Guyana Head, Alistair Routledge Exxon “consistently stated that production information was outside the scope of the cost recovery audit.”

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

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

Chartered Accountant and team leader, Floyd Haynes measurement data utilized by Exxon for production management. In addition, Exxon told auditors that the Guyana Government has key personnel who are fully aware of all measurement points and are present for

calibrations and offloads, hence there is no need to worry.

Be that as it may, auditors advised that Exxon should make the schematic diagrams available for future audits as it would help to validate the

volumetric data provided in the monthly statements submitted to the Guyana Government.

The audit report seen by this newspaper was prepared

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

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

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

Jagdeo calls City Hall's tax amnesty ...says waiver on taxes ‘a source of corruption’ lacks transparency Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had described the amnesty programme by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) as a source of corruption and called on the officers of the municipality to change their approach to offering tax waivers.

During a recent press conference, the VP accused the Council of using the amnesty to write off the taxes of individuals and entities without proper guidelines. “This amnesty has been the source of corruption in the City Hall where you can call in individuals and negotiate writeoffs…If they need an amnesty, they should have an amnesty but it should be announced what are the terms of the amnesty...,” Jagdeo said. He continued, “there is no need to meet with people, the clerk or the treasurer can apply those terms if you have a certain amount of outstanding taxes, you are gonna waive x amount of the outstanding charged have a certain amount of amnesty.”

According to Jagdeo, the amnesty being offered by City Hall

should be across-the-board. The VP added: “It should be for everyone not where the Mayor and others can meet with persons in a room and they will say oh, I will give you 20 percent or I will give you 30 percent. No, it should not be like that…” For years, the M&CC has been providing amnesty to ratepayers. The money received during that period is used to offset the Council's expenses which include the payment of wages and salaries and garbage contractors, while providing critical services to communities in the city. Late last month, Local Government Minister Anand Persaud instructed the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to halt to its decision to grant amnesty to defaulting tax payers. In a letter, the Local Government Minister asked the Council to show whether its decision is in keeping with Section 163 of Municipal and District Council Act, Chapter 28:01.

“I hereby request a copy of the financial regulations which authorizes the decision of the Mayor and City Council of the City

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo of Georgetown made on 26 September 2023 to offer amnesty on interest accumulated on the accounts of ratepayers, and the grounds upon which such a decision is based.”

The minister noted that the Council's letter to him is dated 10 days after the start of the amnesty.

“This oddity aside, I hereby request that you halt this alleged amnesty forthwith while the lawfulness of this purported amnesty is interrogated,” Minister Persaud

said.

In September, the M&CC had announced the amnesty programme on. At the time, City Mayor Alfred Mentore said that the funds garnered from the amnesty would be used by the municipality to pay off income tax debts to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

In a statement issued, Mentore explained that the decision to extend amnesty to ratepayers was made by the Council at a statutory meeting late September 2023. The Council, he said, voted to offer the citizens of Georgetown a period of amnesty on interest owed in a measure to raise funds to clear PAYE debts accrued at the Guyana Revenue Authority.

“This proactive measure was agreed to after the Mayor and executive finance members met with Commissioner General Mr. Godfrey Statia after the said statutory meeting.” Mentore said, “The PPP/C [People's Progressive Party Civic] administration has steadfastly refused to honour central government financial

obligations to the City council and this continues to stifle the work of maintaining and rebuilding the Garden City.

“In blocking the attempts of the Council to meet its obligations to the GRA, the PPP/C are showing their true colours, this is the care they talk about; they are deliberately hampering the livelihoods, benefits, and wellbeing of staff and their families whom are affected by the nonpayment of their PAYE,” Mentore said.

The Mayor said that efforts were made to discuss and resolve “this absurd and unconscionable decision of the Honourable Minister but to no avail.” The Mayor asserted that there is “no law that speak to his overreach!”

The Mayor said he intends to call an emergency meeting of the Council and “present all options available for democratic discussion and decisions on the way forward including the adjudication of this matter in the High court of the Supreme Court of the judicature, if necessary.”

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

PPC vs. NPTAB Matters are getting out of hand in government land. One involves the situation between the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). The latter awarded a contract that has raised no ends of controversy and clamor, while the former wrote the people at NPTAB to obtain the relevant documents to get to the truth of the matter.

Pursuant to the laws of Guyana, the PPC has the authority to request documents under certain circumstances. The complete paper trail should support the basis for awarding the $865 million contract to Tepui, Inc., for a pump station facility. Once the NPTAB process was clean, coherent, and procedurally and ethically aboveboard, then it should not have any difficulty, any hesitancy, in releasing any documents requested by the PPC. NPTAB itself has stated publicly and unambiguously that its process in that specific contract award was by the book. We are glad to hear that, but are somewhat surprised that the same NPTAB has dragged its feet in delivering the related documents to the PPC. In fact, NPTAB has done more than delayed document delivery, for according to the PPC, it has flat out refused to supply anything. Now the PPC is weighing its options, waiting for legal advice, and thinking of proceeding to the court for a ruling on the release of these documents relative to the Tepui, Inc., award.

A reasonable question is why is this so? Another would be what is going on at NPTAB that there is this reaction?

Another is why did matters have to come to this? Regarding NPTAB, it certainly exudes all the nervousness and defensiveness of those who have things that they prefer not to be subjected to the sanitizing of light. At a minimum, NPTAB’s process in the review and award of contracts that comes before it should include a complete record of each proceeding, as part of its normal standards. It follows, therefore, that those who voted for approval of the Tepui, Inc., bid would be identified, with the same being so for those who had a concern or problem with the bid. In both applicable for and against scenarios, the positions taken and objections raised by principled and sound thinking members would be memorialized. There would be a clear document trail that gives a comprehensive picture of what went into the deliberations about that bid, and how it ended up as it did, which is a questionable winner.

In the circumstances, and given the public outcry, plus a little political push, the PPC made its document request.

Now many Guyanese are trying to make sense of the rejection that came from NPTAB. Though there are considerable uncertainties about the standards under which NPTAB operates, and still more bafflements about some of its contract award record, we point no finger at it at this point.

The sole interest is working towards the truths and contexts under which Tepui, Inc., was the recipient of an $865 million award for a pump station, given its clear deficiency with a vital requirement set out by NPTAB itself. NPTAB should be willing to provide what is asked for by the PPC, if only to prove the robustness of its processes, and to say nothing about the integrity of its people standing over taxpayers’ dollars. The more NPTAB digs in its heels, and the more time it uses up, on a positive and full response to the PPC, the more questions and suspicions are raised over its work. Vice President Jagdeo interjected that the PPC could have called the president, been less shrill. He must be jesting.

More sharply, there is too much secrecy on too many important things in too many areas. The substance and integrity of contract awards fall into that secrecy category.

When issues are handled right, then all concerned should be only too happy to have them bask in the sunlight. On the other hand, when there are probably elements of shenanigans (the proper word is skullduggery), then there is an interest in seeking any safe harbour, no matter how temporary, to maintain concealments. Let us hope that documents are not shredded, made to disappear, or rearranged with the time bought.

Thursday November 09, 2023

Deeds Registry and Land Court Registry must learn from other registries, improve service DEAR EDITOR, I withheld penning these few lines for a long time hoping that the Deeds Registry and Land Court Registry would get their act together and improve their customer service. That’s certainly not forthcoming and I can no longer withstand the pressure of my experience nudging me to bring this to the attention of your readers.

Editor, in the interest of the preservation of the psychological stability of the members of the public, I hope to initiate positive changes at those agencies through this publication. I

am first and foremost a member of the public, but I am also an attorney-at-law.

In my professional capacity in particular, I had numerous interactions with the Court Registries in Guyana, especially the ones located in Georgetown.

Let me give credit where it’s due. I applaud the customer service of the Land and Commercial Registries.

The members of staff seem to appreciate that they are dealing with members of the public regardless of who they may be. They appear to understand that while they are ‘experts’ of the system in which they are employed,

members of the public are ‘novices’ and depend on their expertise and guidance.

Those members of staff are cordial and patient.

Whether they are fatigued, hungry, or not in a good mood, they have somehow harnessed the skill of camouflage.

However, over time, I have concluded that the Deeds Registry and the Land Court Registry have not received that memo because they are quite the opposite.

One can immediately suffer from stress, hypertension, and psychological trauma when interfacing with those agencies. This shabby

service to the public must end now. It is unbearable and no effort must be spared to correct it forthwith. I believe that the memo or standard operating procedures guiding the Land and Commercial Registries must be immediately implemented at the Deed Registry and the Land Court Registry. They must act with professionalism and serve the public well to avoid continuous psychological shakiness they often inflict on their customers.

Yours sincerely, Excellence Dazzell (Mrs.) Attorney-at-Law

Venezuela: there must be dialogue, but with conditions DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana and Venezuela border conflict dates back to the 1814 when a treaty signed between the United Kingdom and Netherlands paved the way for the formation of British Guyana. One shortfall of the treaty was its inabilit define a western border, so the British employed naturalist and surveyor Robert Schomburgk to demarcate the boundary.

His work famously produced the Schomburgk line which included an extra 33,000 square miles for Guiana.

With the knowledge of the resources in the region, particularly gold, and with its independence imminent from Spain, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela petitioned the United States to intervene on grounds that the demarcation violated the Monroe Doctrine, a policy employed by the 5th President of the United States James Monroe that the European powers had to respect the United States’s interest in the western hemisphere.

Eventually, the two sides went to arbitration in 1899 and Venezuela had gained some concessions of Barima Point (mouth of the Orinoco River) and Wenamu River.

Although, it had gained a substantial portion of land, Ve n e z u e l a w a s s t i l l unsatisfied that the result of the 1899 arbitral kept most of the British territory intact.

Venezuela protested that the process of the arbitral award was tampered with special interests between the British

jurists and the Russian President Frederich Martins, which was confirmed by Severo Mallet Prevost, a member of the US Venezuela delegation. At some point of the controversy, the focus was shifted from the Schomburgk line to the E s s e q u i b o C o u n t y. I n 1966, the Geneva agreement and the Port of Spain Protocol in 1970 sought to define an agreement to solve the dispute but none of these efforts proved successful.

In 2016, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon agreed to a “Good Officers” process ineffectively prompting the current secretary General Antonio Guterres to refer the case to the International Court in 2018.

This border controversy has shown how successive governments failed at policies that should have put a lid on the nefarious claim b y Ve n e z u e l a o n t h e Essequibo Region while seeking a meaningful partnership in other areas.

Short term pauses over the years have led to sudden military buildup on the border close to Eteringbang and scores of migrants entering through Regions one (1) and seven (7) seeking to escape the socioeconomic crisis.

The western neighbour has also engaged in shifting the narrative on the issue through misleading rhetoric/ propaganda propelled by the mastermind of Nicholas Maduro, the President who has inherited a propaganda

machine that weaves into the fabric of each Venezuelan deceptively that the Essequibo territory belongs to them.

With all the legal hoops that Guyana has to crisscross in court, seeking support from international actors and regional allies, it may be feasible for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin to establish a diplomatic channel with Caracas.

A country that has a military the size of Guyana’s adult population with Army, N a v y, a n d A i r F o r c e capabilities, it is inconceivable to think there’s a military solution.

The plan for dialogue would not devoid pre-conditions as the Guyana government must establish that before talks, the Bolivarian Republic must recognize Guyana’s sovereignty over Essequibo Region, removal/cease and desist from military buildup at the border and support in stemming the massive flow of Venezuelan citizens illegally into our country.

Support for the current refugees in Guyana should surround surveillance and data collection on associations to Caracas government, family ties in Guyana and a strategy for integration into society.

What this conflict has indicated vividly, it is time for Guyana to revisit its foreign policies. The last 30 years, this nation has practised an unremarkable foreign policy with no real doctrine for handling international disputes, establishing new

relationships with member states and strengthening current regional and international allies.

Guyana’s foreign policy needs recalibration from a small powerless state to one that has sufficient geopolitical and economic prowess to leverage positions of economic, social and political development. A nation with its current lethargic foreign policy should rise out of the shadows of being cloaked by pleads to international actors such as the United Nations, International courts and superpower nations.

The President’s recent statement to Nicholas M a d u r o ’s r e q u e s t f o r dialogue stating he would discuss any other issues other than the border controversy which is the impending issue is foolhardy.

The only solution is a dialogue between the two leaders with the preconditions mentioned above.

A mediator preferably sourced from one of our South American neighbours namely Brazil or Argentina.

The President’s inability to consult with his western counterpart on anything else than the border dispute might be missing an opportunity for him to cement a legacy as being the only leader to bring an end to this conflict.

What else does he think is of importance to the western neighbour at this time? Thanking you.

Yours truly, Collin Haynes MPH MBA

Thursday November 09, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Secondary students in Hinterland Solid presentations on Venezuela in parliament, but skipping classes due to hunger the citizenship issue bothers DEAR EDITOR, I wish to thank the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir, for inviting me to attend an Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly on Monday, November 6, 2023. It was to discuss the current issue of the Border situation and the massing on our western border of the Venezuelan military. With the exception of Attorney General Nandlall, presentations by the other speakers on the Government side, I found rather tedious.

On the other hand, the presentation by Shadow Minister, Foreign Affairs Amanza Walton-Desir, was credible and succinct.

Roysdale Forde did the correct thing by reminding the House that the Government’s attitude to refugees is inconsistent and I applauded him for reminding them that compassion and concern must be shared in equal measure to Haitians, Nigerians and Venezuelans.

It was a most useful presentation given to our existing environment. The presentation by Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, was statesman-like and obviously the result of careful research and his own experience in the Foreign Service.

On my arrival home, I was alarmed by two statements made by the former President, now Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP. I heard

a recorded Statement, saying we should find a maritime corridor for Venezuela. At a recent Press Conference, we heard a lengthy dissertation about why we should treat persons who cross the borders into Guyana kindly.

No Guyanese, no citizen with compassion can have a difficulty with this, however, the General Secretary of the PPP seemed to ignore the prospects that some of the Venezuelans may be agents of the Maduro regime, sent here to infiltrate, destabilize and get into mischief. Hours later, there was a report of two Venezuelans found on the Demerara Harbour Bridge with illegal drugs and had been taken into custody by the police.

In every corner of the globe, countries must welcome persons fleeing persecution or hard times, but as sensible people, we should put in place mechanisms to separate genuine refugees, immigrants or plants. We noted the anxiety of the present government to grant citizenship to Venezuelans.

In most countries, the granting of passports and citizenship is a lengthy process, in some cases, taking between 10 to 20 years.

If we welcome persons who are not born here, we must be careful not to open the floodgates without due process as exists everywhere else.

S h a d o w M i n i s t e r, Foreign Affairs, Amanza Walton has posited the

question, asking how many persons who have entered Guyana illegally or otherwise have been granted citizenship, passports and therefore entitled to vote at Regional and General Elections. We await the Government’s response with great anxiety.

If for example, there is an incursion, a need for full mobilization; on whose side will these new citizens be fighting for?

In an interview recently, I suggested that if it came to mass mobilization, those who are benefiting from our oil bonanza should constitute the frontline brigade to face the enemy to the west.

Let me add this caveat, in Parliament on Monday, to loud desk tramping and applause, the PPP Government side seemed to have come to their senses when they adverted to ‘One People, One Nation and One Destiny,’ and carefully avoided this nonsense they started recently of ‘One Guyana, ’ and why police vehicles and other signs, as one Minister told me, would now be in Spanish. Not a word from the Government’s side. It is never too late, for I believe that the vilest sinner may return.

Yours truly, Hamilton Green Elder

DEAR EDITOR, As a concerned Guyanese who has a passion for children’s education and the holistic development of the country, I would like to bring attention and give suggestions for a burning issue.

Before I begin, I must applaud the government for providing hot meals to nursery and primary school children in the interior; where they receive sumptuous meals as they immerse in academics and cognitive learning.

However, from interacting with poor students who are the

majority and having family members who attend secondary schools in the interior, this cohort of youngsters does not share the same experience.

They face a challenge, where most go hungry not having lunch daily at school, especially those that travel from very far away; resulting in some teenagers being reluctant to learn and preferring to stay away from school after midday because they are hungry.

H e n c e , m y suggestion to the relevant education authorities is to look

into the matter and try to provide lunch for these teenage children.

They need it in order to function well in their higher learning at the secondary level.

On this note, I would suggest the Government use some of the oil funds or tap into investment from other resources, to set up a hot meal programme for our hinterland secondary school children, who are in dire need of it.

Yours sincerely, Medino Abraham MSc. Researcher on Indigenous Education in Guyana

Reading the fine print in document can bring peace of mind DEAR EDITOR, “Read the fine print” is the advice from legal advisors and applies not only to hire purchase transactions.

Recently, I became a patient at the dental clinic of the hospital which prides itself as state-of-the-art. On each occasion of my visit, on entering the examination room prior to the commencement of my dental work, I was presented with a document by the attending doctor with instructions to sign here, there and everywhere, but not afforded the ample

opportunity to carefully read and assimilate the document with pertinent questions, as may have arisen. In other words, the documents were merely skimmed as opposed to being able to ‘read the fine print’ before affixing my signature.

This practice is, in my view, unethical as it places the patient at a disadvantage of signing and, maybe, not being fully aware or

understanding what was signed to.

This practice should urgently be reviewed.

Patients must have the time to read, fully understand and ask questions, where necessary. It is their right.

Afterall, signing a document makes it legally binding, a commitment, which must be honoured.

Yours sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 09, 2023

Together, let us commit to protecting not only our borders but also the well-being of those defending our country DEAR EDITOR, Recent discussions between President Irfaan Ali and the leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton, regarding the importance of defending our borders against Venezuela, have rightly highlighted the need for robust protection and security measures.

While the focus has been on safeguarding our nation’s territorial integrity, it is equally vital that we remember the welfare of the brave men and women serving in the ranks of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF).

These soldiers, who have families and personal interests, require the unwavering support of the state when it comes to their well-being.

Protecting Our Protectors: The men and women of the GDF put their lives on the line every day to defend our country.

It is imperative that we prioritize their interests and provide them with appropriate training, resources, and equipment necessary to carry out their duties effectively.

Furthermore, a comprehensive support

system must be in place to address the soldiers’ needs and concerns.

Adequate compensation, healthcare, and housing facilities should be provided to not only acknowledge their sacrifices but also to create an environment that fosters morale and commitment.

Family Support: The families of GDF personnel play an equally crucial role in supporting our soldiers. Their unwavering support and understanding are instrumental in the soldiers’ ability to perform their duties with dedication and focus.

To a l l e v i a t e a n y additional pressures faced by the soldiers’ families, the government should ensure that they receive necessary assistance, such as access to healthcare, education, and other essential services.

Mental Health and Counselling: Defending our borders can be an arduous and stressful task, putting a considerable strain on the mental well-being of our soldiers.

Recognizing this, it is paramount that the state sets up a support system that prioritizes mental health

services. Adequate training should be provided to address the psychological impact of combat situations and to equip soldiers with coping mechanisms to deal with the aftermath of traumatic experiences.

Conclusion: As President Irfaan Ali and the leader of the opposition Aubrey Norton, move forward in their efforts to defend our borders against potential threats, they must not forget the essential duty of caring for the soldiers who confront these challenges daily.

The State has a responsibility to provide all necessary resources to e n s u r e t h e i r e ff e c t i v e functioning, which includes improvement of salary and other benefits.

However, even as we praise this important step forward, we must also remember that the men and women serving in the Guyana Defence Force are not expendable pawns in political games, nor are they simply robots programmed to follow orders without thought or feeling.

They are human beings, with families and lives and interests beyond their roles as soldiers.

By taking care of our soldiers and their families, we not only fulfil our obligations as a responsible government but also strengthen the morale and

effectiveness of our defence forces. Together, let us commit to protecting not only our borders but also the well-being of those defending our territories.

Sincerely Pt.Ubraj Narine, JP, COA F o r m e r S t a ff Sgt.(GDF), Mayor City of Georgetown

Situation in Gaza grim, growing worse DEAR EDITOR, The situation in the Gaza is getting from bad to worse.

It is indeed painful to watch the daily slaughter of men, women and children by Israeli forces which seem determined to destroy the Hamas which it blamed for the October 7 incursion into Israeli territory, and which resulted in the deaths of over one thousand Israelis and the holding of over two hundred hostages.

The international community, in particular, the United States, needs to take immediate measures to bring an end to the senseless killings that are taking place on a daily basis. It seems that there is currently no safe place in Palestine.

Hospitals, schools, and UN-designated refugee camps are being attacked by

the Israeli military. Protest actions involving millions of people around the world are taking place in solidarity with the Palestinian people and calling for an immediate ceasefire but the slaughter and destruction continues unabated.

It is time for the pain and cries of the Palestinian people be heard and tangible measures put in place to bring about a peaceful resolution to the decades-old Palestinian issue within the framework of a two-state solution as provided for by the United Nations.

This is the only way forward for both Palestine and Israel.

The issue cannot be settled through military means as Israel is attempting to do. It will only lead to a new spiral of deaths and

destruction. The time is long overdue for a diplomatic solution to the problem involving all stakeholders which must include the Palestinian people through their elected representatives, the Arab States especially those that share borders with Palestine and the United States which for decades has provided military support to Israel.

The creation of an independent Palestine State cannot be delayed any longer.

For over seventy years, the Palestinian people were denied a land they could call their home. This historical injustice must be corrected and the international community has a duty and responsibility to act now.

Yours faithfully, Hydar Ally

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Kaieteur News

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

It was a rare show of unity from the government and Opposition, but one that was critical. However, something strange occurred on Monday; the most senior PPP/C official and two-term President, Bharrat Jagdeo was seated in the Chambers, but did not utter a word.

Why would he not? After all, the Opposition brought out their big guns - Aubrey Norton and Khemraj Ramjattan as part of their line-up of speakers.

So why wouldn't the de facto head of government speak on the motion?

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

Did he feel that these allegations disqualified him as a credible voice on the subject matter or his head is buried deeply only in one place - making deals with ExxonMobil as they continue to rape this nation of its oil resources?

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Thursday November 09, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 8 10

Petroleum Activities Law Pt. 8

Minister empowered to implement industry leading regulations for safety, emergency response

By Kiana Wilburg

A

ccording to Guyana's Petroleum Activities L a w, t h e N a t u r a l Resources Minister is empowered to make regulations to govern the safety of petroleum operations carried under the Act. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the minister may make regulations for: - protecting the health, safety

and welfare of persons in the oil sector; - securing the safe design, construction and operation of all facilities serving the industry; - securing safe and environmentally sound decommissioning operations; -preventing damage to or waste of any natural resource; - promoting orderly exploration, appraisal, development and production of petroleum;

-and promoting a safety culture as well as compliance with international best practices for the sector.

In summary, the foregoing provisions in Guyana's Petroleum Law mark a significant step towards reinforcing safety and environmental sustainability within the burgeoning oil sector.

By granting the Natural Resources Minister the authority to regulate the industry, the law aims to ensure that every facet of

p e t r o l e u m operations adheres to stringent safety standards, from design and construction to eventual decommissioning.

This legislative move underscores Guyana's commitment to fostering a culture of safety and aligning with international best practices.

As the industry continues to expand, the importance of such regulations cannot be

overstated—they serve as the cornerstone for protecting the health and welfare of individuals in the sector and the environment.

Wi t h t h i s e m p o w e r e d oversight, Guyana sets a new precedent for resource management, balancing economic growth with the utmost respect for human life and the natural world.

Exxon’s dishonourable actions

signal contempt for Guyana F

ormer Ambassador to Guyana, Professor Kenrick Hunte said that ExxonMobil's unlawful disbursement of funds from the Liza 1 and 2 revenue streams for activities in the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, as well as other expenditures signals the oil major's “utter contempt for Guyana”.

He said that the company could not get away with such actions in the United States as there would have been stiff penalties. Hunte who served as Guyana's ambassador to South Africa, has since called on the government to put systems in place to sanction ExxonMobil if it commits similar transgressions in future projects. The abuses were uncovered by auditors who scrutinized ExxonMobil's US$7.3 expenses for the Liza 1 and 2 projects.

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

In addition to using revenues from the Stabroek Block to fund works in other blocks, the audit also uncovered countless instances where the oil company used Guyana's profits on activities totally unrelated to oil production.

These include puppet shows

for Exxon's staff and their families dance classes among others.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo was questioned about this last week at his news conference, but he would only say that the contract, which the oil giant signed with Guyana means that the expenses will not be included in the cost bank for the Stabroek Block.

“I maintain my position that it would be illegal and I repeat that. The audits would have revealed that now and as I said before, there will be consequences. If you did unauthorised work, you don't go to jail according to PSA, it just doesn't form part of the cost bank,” the VP said.

When asked whether the revelations were not grounds enough to arm future projects with penalties, if such reoccur, Jagdeo said there is already a mechanism in place to address this. The mechanism to which he referred to is that it would not form part of the cost bank.

However, he did not indicate whether the administration would impose financial penalties on the company.

Jagdeo said the revelations from the audit justify the right to audit, which he said, “gives you a chance to see whether the expenses justified or not.”

However, for Hunte referencing the work done by the consortium of auditing firms, Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting and Consultancy Inc., with backing from Martindale

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo Consultants, said that ExxonMobil would not engage in this behaviour in the USA, where financial penalties would unreservedly be imposed by the appropriate government department.

As such, he questioned whether this unprofessional behaviour will continue on future projects in the Stabroek block, given that EMGL claims that they have invested US$50B. He also asked whether the auditors have access to the EMGL financial documentation in real-time, not years later, so that this deceitful behaviour can be terminated before it impacts Guyana share of total revenue. Also, Hunte questioned whether going forward, can a simple system be commissioned in real time of counting barrels so that Guyana can receive its fair

and equitable share? “This approach of counting barrels will establish a transparent system that is currently lacking; it will not violate 'the supposedly inviolable contract sanctity cause of unending serfdom of Guyana'; and moreover, this approach will allow the full breakeven level of output to be determined and the correct profit level to be derived.

Incidentally, the current 75 percent of total revenue that is allocated as total cost is a fake cost measure, since it violates the elements that are included in a cost function.”

Meanwhile, asked to weigh in on the issue, Elson Lowe, Economic Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition Leader said the Government of Guyana must meet with the operator and make it clear that costs that are not appropriate should not be

- Former Ambassador

Former Ambassador, Professor, Kenrick Hunte included in the cost bank, but even further, the government needs to ensure there is clarity when it comes to costs from other blocks being claimed in the Stabroek block cost bank.

“We believe that unless boundaries are set with the operator this problem is likely to persist, and in fact may even spill over into the operations of the block Exxon and its partners recently won in the latest oil block auction. Costs incurred in other blocks cannot and must not be claimed in the Stabroek Block,” Lowe emphasized.

He said the government is clearly afraid to confront the operator on almost any issue. “We raised our concerns about the allegations that the Operator was not providing data in the first audit when we met with

the Operator because we did not consider that to be acceptable. The P P P' s inability to manage oil companies operating in Guyana is costing Guyanese billions of dollars in delayed revenue. We cannot merely look to recover funds after they have been incorrectly used, rather, we need to set guidelines and make it clear that this is not acceptable.”

Five shocking instances The Ramdihal & Haynes Inc. audit report gave a meticulous breakdown of five instances where the Stabroek Block's financial resources were used for Kaieteur –a block Exxon walked away from this year –as well as Canje. Kaieteur News reported that as a result of the five instances in which the oil companies acted in violation of the contract, (Continued on page 9)

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 09, 2023

PAGE 09

Unethical journalism For almost 25 years, Dan Rather was the face of the CBS Evening News. He served as an anchor from 1 9 8 1 u n t i l h i s unceremonious departure from CBS. Dan Rather was a powerful figure in the news network. But he was brought to his knees because of the alleged failure to check the authenticity of documents which he had used as part of a story about George W Bush’s military record. This failure to validate the records led to public criticisms, which in turn forced his imminent removal as anchor of the CBS Evening News in 2005, and his subsequent departure from CBS in 2006.

Rather’s downfall was because of the failure to

verify the facts in a document which he used in the story about Bush’s military record. It is not that the facts were not true.

Rather continues to insist that the facts were true. But rather because (no pun intended) he failed to verify the facts in the document – a standard procedure in journalism.

A few days ago, Stabroek News engaged in what can only be described as ‘gutter’ journalism. It took a nasty swipe, in one of its news stories, at the now General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC). It quoted unnamed exporters claiming there were problems at the agency.

It also claimed some 37 persons were dismissed. But

it never said whether it verified these numbers. In addition, it alleged reports of a double payment of a large sum of money. Not a shred of evidence was produced to substantiate what now increasingly appears to be these contrived allegations.

It is unethical for a news media outfit to run a story based on mere hearsay, even if it gives the other side the opportunity to respond. If this becomes the established practice in the news business, then we might well have a situation where someone comes off the road, makes an allegation of rape and, without asking for at least prima facie evidence, the newspaper runs an article with the allegation and the response of the accused.

Herstelling woman critical following knife attack A 2 6 - y e a r- o l d w o m a n i s n o w hospitalized after she sustained several stab wounds about her body during an attack by a male at Herstelling, East Bank Demarara (EBD).

The victim, who has been identified as Jasoda Gocool of Herstelling Sea Dam, EBD, has been admitted in critical condition to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The incident occurred on Tuesday around 06:00hrs on the Herstelling, Public Road, EBD. According to information received, at the time of the incident, Gocool was heading out of a street which runs in an east to west direction, in the company of a female friend. The duo was then approached be a male who was clad in black.

The attacker the proceeded to hug the victim from the rear and dealt her several stab wounds about her body. He then escaped in a white car for which the registration number, make and model are currently still unknown to the police.

Public spirited citizens in the vicinity immediately rendered assistance to the victim who was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where she was seen by a doctor on duty.

Due to the extent of her injuries, she had to be transferred to the GPHC, where she underwent emergency surgery for the multiple stab wounds about her body including her back, left hand and chest.

Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Exxon’s dishonourable actions...

From page 8 auditors insisted that the Stabroek Block account be reimbursed with US$3,812,653. In the first instance, the report states that Exxon used the Stabroek Block revenues to cover a permit fee for a Kaieteur Geotechnical and Geophysical Survey. When auditors made this discovery and roasted Exxon for such a flagrant violation of international best practices, Exxon agreed that it should not have occurred.

As a result, auditors asked that the US$16,039 used to cover that survey be returned to the Stabroek Block cost bank. Auditors said this was done in October 2022. In the second instance, auditors found that Exxon included its cost recovery statement for the Stabroek Block, 100% of the costs associated with an Emergency Response Study for oil spills from Guyana wells. Auditors said the

Stabroek Block revenues should not have been used to cover 100 percent of this activity since the study looked at wells in the Kaieteur and Canje blocks.

Auditors said Stabroek’s share should have been 50% of the cost or US$ 32,575 while Canje’s share should have been 25% or US$16,287.64 and Kaieteur’s share 25% or US$16,287.

Exxon was therefore asked to return US$ 32,575 to the Stabroek Block’s account. In the third case, auditors said Exxon charged t h e S t a b r o e k B l o c k ’s producing projects, 100 percent of the cost for various vehicles.

The auditors contended that since the vehicles are also used to support activities related to the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, Exxon must return US$404,285 to the Stabroek Block account. In the fourth case, the auditors said Exxon

charged the account of producing Stabroek Block projects, 100 percent of the renovation costs for Exxon’s Duke Street office, including upgrades, furniture, and setup costs. Auditors reasoned that Exxon operates all of its Guyana operations out of the Duke Street office, so charging 100% of the more than US$6 million of renovation costs entirely to the Stabroek Block’s account “is patently inequitable.”

In the fifth case, auditors found that Exxon charged the account of producing Stabroek Block projects 100% of the costs from Environmental Resources Management, ERM Guyana, and RPS Group for various studies on the impact of oil and gas operations on fish, bird, and turtle migrations, habitats, and survival. Auditors urged Exxon to return US$1,391,902 to the Stabroek Block account.

It is the duty of a newspaper or newscast to check and verify facts. Factchecking and verification are foundational principles of journalism. If a source comes to you and says that he is an exporter and has a problem with an agency, your duty as a reporter is to verify that this person is indeed an exporter, and whether there is prima facie evidence that there is a problem with the agency concerned, and then to crosscheck and verify this with other exporters to determine the problem is an isolated case. Did Stabroek News do this? Did Stabroek News ask its source for the names of the 37 persons it claimed left the employment of the NGMC? If so, did it ascertain from any of those persons the reasons for them leaving the job?

The Stabroek News story on the NGMC lacks factchecking. It is not enough to fact-check by asking for a response from the NGMC. That fact-checking should have taken place prior to interviewing the General Manager. This is how professional journalists operate. It is now incumbent

on the Stabroek News to undertake an investigation to ascertain whether its reporter verified any of the information that he or she was provided with prior to requesting a comment from the manager of the NGMC. As was the case with Dan Rather, there is a sanction involved in not factchecking a story prior to publication. On a separate issue, it is not the practice of this column to reply to critics. People have a right to their opinions and this column has always been about allowing for a diversity of views. However, this column will respond whether there is an attempt to misrepresent or misconstrue what was said in previous columns. Let me therefore make the following facts pellucid to someone named Joel Bhagwandin, in relation to the column about Bharrat Jagdeo and the terms of the production sharing agreement. This column never said, insinuated or implied that Jagdeo was ‘briefed’ on the terms of the Production Sharing Agreement.

The facts are as follows: An Order to affirm fiscal

terms was laid in the National Assembly on 4th August 2016. It was debated on the 8th August 2016.

During the debate, the then Minister of Finance clearly indicated that the APNU+AFC government had entered into a Production Sharing Agreement with Exxon and its co-venture partners. At no time during the debate did the PPP/C or Jagdeo demand that the terms of that contract be made public. It was only 10 months after in June 2017, following a public outcry against the 2% royalties, that Jagdeo came out and asked for the contract to be made public. What was he doing all along: imitating Rip Van Winkle?

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

LALL

Thursday Monday November May 02, 09,2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Palestine - the strange truths of a world talking The unprecedented is happening in the present flashpoint, flareup, and rain of fire that is Gaza. The Palestinians are reliving and extending their 'Nakba' (catastrophe) in the worst way possible.

On this occasion, however, a few strange things, blinding truths, strike in jagged sheets of lightning.

Amid the deluge of bombs and bullets (none of them rubber), the horror of Palestinian life today is dragged from dark, ignored, and indifferent corners into the middle of global consciousness. The conscience of the world is put on trial. In this courtroom of personal and public opinion, for the first time ever, the predicament, the plight, and the pain of the Palestinian people are held aloft, ventilated like never before, and the world is stunned. I

am. I look back before going forward.

Thousands of years ago, the children of Israel groaned in captivity; the yoke of the oppressor was brutal, and perpetual, as in centuries.

Along came Moses, and there is the exodus, as memorialized in the Book of Exodus. Out of Egypt, to the Promised Land, it was.

Though not clearly said, that land was the property of others.

Historians and scientists may call this the march of civilization, of progress. But obviously, the settlers had to be displaced.

The rest is history: biblical history, the sweep of history.

Fast forward past the centuries and millennia, and there is 1917 (Sir Arthur Balfour), and 1948, the new Promised Land. It is the State of Israel. One man's uplift is another man's

Consultancy firm bids $1.3B to oversee construction of New Amsterdam Hospital Local company, Vikab Guyana Limited has submitted a bid of $1,393,650,000 to provide supervisory service for the construction of a new, New Amsterdam Hospital in Region Six. This was revealed during the recent opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office.

Back in October, Vikab Guyana Limited was among six consultancy firms that initially submitted their proposals for the contract.

But at the recent opening of bids, NPTAB noted that only Vikab has been qualified for the financial aspect of the opening.

The hospital will be built

by VAMED Engineering, an Austrian company. The same company who has been contracted to build the $31.9 billion (EUR$149 million) Paediatric and Maternal Hospital.

In September, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony indicated that the signing of the contract for the construction of the hospital was completed although; he did not state the cost. Kaieteur News learnt subsequently that the contract is valued at US$161M. “This [hospital] would be at the same level like the paediatric one w e are

developing and this would have approximately 220 beds, with five operating theaters and a cardiac suite as well.” It would also have a section for psychiatric patients, and another section where health workers, doctors and nurses would be trained, he said.

It was reported just recently that preparation works for the hospital has started. Regional Chairman of Region Six, David Armogan had told the media that the land clearing of the site for the new hospital has begun.

He also shared that, “The hospital will provide services like open heart surgery, kidney transplant, and some of the major operations that we don't currently do in the region and to an extent in Guyana right now.”

The New Amsterdam Hospital will be a three-storey facility that will be equipped with modern machines to deliver new and advanced services.This publication had reported that the contract for the construction of the hospital did not go through public tendering; the Governments of Guyana and Austrian signed an agreement in 2018 for the development of a number of health facilities here. The New Amsterdam Hospital is one such facility being built under this agreement.

downdraft. The chronology of the last 75 years has been of wars of retaliation, wars of attrition, wars of intrusion and exclusion.

From skyjackings to the Munich Olympics, the Palestinian cause, and the wider Arab discontent, was writ large in harrowing terms before a recoiling world. September 11, 2001, did not help, may have been the final flower on a casket loaded with the vengeful, the hopeful, and the powerful reach of those suppressed to the margins, and vacuumed nonexistence.

Regardless of the origins of the perps (whispered heroes to hundreds of millions), somewhere in the rage was the plight and cause of the Palestinian people. Their plight had become a rallying call, which now lives as the Palestinian Project. It may be convenient, but there is none superior.

Afghanistan was followed by Iraq, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the others hovering angrily and impatiently on the margins.

Little did their protests (and actions) matter. Little did the world react. Whenever it did, the scales were almost

always heavily tilted outside of the Arab world in the favour of the Israelis. The heroes versus the fiends. The numerically inferior embattled fighting for the right to exist against hordes of barbarians the epitome of b r u t a l i t y, a n d s n e a k y, cowardly attacks. It was real-life Hollywood unfolding on the hills of Judea.

Mention the media, and the Palestinians were an afterthought, almost as if they didn't matter, there was no honour, no justice to their cause. So, the misery of a people is reduced to the life of corralled and desperate animals. Where was the world? Where to look for the noblemen of the 21st century?

It so turned out that the noblemen were the bowmen, spearmen, and the only armed men.

Largely.

Effectively. Conclusively.

We h e a r d a b o u t t h e harrowing holocaust, diaspora, and 'Never Again!

Emotions ran high, righting ancient wrongs, all carried the day; and have stayed that way.

Now follow me, as I skip a few years to today. For the

first time ever, the blood and the bones and the bombardments of the Palestinians huddled in the hovels that are their homes, which are in the light of the day. It is scorching and unrelenting.

People are talking. For the first time ever, it is as though leaders and citizens across the globe have discovered that there are actually people. The tools of technology in their newest incarnations prove again that the sword loses again to the pen.

Indeed, the mind masters any missiles. It takes a long time, with all the narratives weighed on one side, and nonchalance on the other, when denigrating and minimizing the losers' circumstances rule the roost.

But it does take place.

Today, this one-sided conflict that rages is not General Patton running across Europe and blasting everything in sight. Today, the worthiness of Palestinians as human beings, and their hurts and grievances have a power of their own. It is time. It is why there is talk of ceasefire and truce in the middle of vengeance heating the blood,

and hastening its footsteps.

This business cannot be contained any longer; it could spiral out of control. The telephone and telegraph wires must be red hot with traffic.

The contemplative area in me wonders what would have been happening now on the ground in Gaza, and from the air also, if it were not the world coming out swinging.

A little differently in this season of an eye for an eye; maybe a hundred for one.

The fog of war has been illuminated in constant flashes of war at its worst, and in its most fatal and foulest throes. It is more than CNN. It is of the besieged and beaten down being brought before the gaze. The world doesn't like it, and is saying so strongly and sharply. So am I. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

Forde calls on all peace-loving citizens to denounce Venezuela's aggression Alluding to fact that the threats made by the Venezuela Government to seize and annex the Essequibo region from Guyana has the potential of not only affecting Guyana but destabilising the region, Shadow Attorney General, Roydale Forde SC said.

He also called on all peace-loving people to denounce Venezuela's aggression. Addressing law makers at an Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly on Monday, Forde echoed the words of Leader of the People's National Congress former Prime Minister Forbes Burnham when he called on all people intent of safeguarding the peace of Guyana and its hemispheric neighbours to do their part and speak out against the threats.

Quoting an appeal which Burnham stood in the National Assembly and made---55 years ago---on 12th July 1968 to be exact, Forde said that he joins with his colleagues in the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change, (APNU+AFC) and every Guyanese to reaffirm the position. “In our stand for survival, we shall call upon the conscience of all peace-loving people to speak out in our cause and we shall need all our unity as a people so that your voice may be heard in all corners of the world and in 11 the Councils of the world's institutions for peace.”

“We have no quarrel with the

APNU's Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Roydale Forde SC Venezuelan people but we shall not lack courage or resolve in resisting aggressive demands of a Venezuelan Government that is prepared to defile the traditions of Bolivar and to flout the precepts of hemispheric and world order and security,” Forde said extensively quoting Burnham.

He emphasised therefore that the efforts of the Venezuelan Government to seize Guyana's territory must be

denounced. Further alluding to the words of the former Prime Minster, Forde continued: “I cannot tell with any certainty where this ill-advised course of action on which the Government of Venezuela has embarked will lead us.

We must be prepared, however, for further and even more aggressive demonstrations of international lawlessness from the Government of Venezuela. We will need all our courage and strength to withstand these efforts to break our will and despoil our land,” Referring to the historical facts surrounding the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, Forde noted Burnham' profound words are relevant.

“We are here, more than a century later, facing a threat of no lesser magnitude, and we cannot pretend this issue is not a clear and present danger to every citizen of this beloved land, home and abroad,” Forde said.

The parliamentarian noted too that he is ever conscious of how much the Guyanese people are counting on their elected representatives to protect them and the beloved land from invaders. As such, he noted that Venezuela's increasing aggression is not only misplaced but devoid of legitimacy.

“Even as we acknowledge these, we cannot ignore, in a world where might could supersede right, small nations such as ours must navigate these murky waters, sensibly,” he said.

Thursday November 09, 2023

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A section of the Santa Rosa Nursery School which was drenched during a heavy downpour on Monday.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 09, 2023

Rains swamp incomplete Santa Rosa Nursery school …residents blame contractor for sloth in works Tempers flared at the Santa Rosa Nursery School, Moruca earlier this week after heavy rains swamped the compound of the learning institution which is currently under renovation.

At the same time, residents of the area are calling on the government to investigate the awarding of a contract for the renovation of the school which is more than 50% behind, although the contractor was expected to complete works during the second week of September following weeks of delay.

Weather conditions in the area are changing, residents noted and on Monday, heavy downpours resulted in water drenching the entire school including a section which was partially (Continued on page 17)

Teachers and parents of the Santa Rosa Nursery School were forced to salvage wet documents and other items following the rains on Monday.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 09, 2023

PAGE 15

Demerara Bank reports 38% Motorcyclist dies ...Zero non-performing following collision with net profit growth loans, declares dividend truck at Triumph Demerara Bank Limited announced on Monday that it has recorded a remarkable Profit-After-Tax of $4.075 billion for the financial year ended September 30, 2023.

This achievement represents a substantial increase of 38% when compared to the preceding year, solidifying its position as the second most profitable bank in Guyana, the bank said in a press release. The bank's published financial statements revealed the following notable performance indicators: The Bank's Deposit Base reached a historic level of $139.111 billion, representing a 30% increase compared to the previous year.

To t a l L o a n s a n d Advances grew from $58.193 billion to $71.375 billion, reflecting a 22.7 % rise over the prior year.

The Bank maintained its exceptional track record of zero non-performing loans as at the end of the reporting period.

Total Interest Income

Demerara Bank Headquarters, Camp Street, Georgetown increased by 25.4% to $7.906 billion.

Demerara Bank's asset base expanded by 26% to $159.589 billion by the close of the 2023 financial year, compared to the $126.570 billion recorded in the prior year. The Return on Average Assets as of September 30, 2023, was 2.85% which is higher than the industry average.

The Return on Shareholders' Funds was

substantial, recording a 20.6% return for the year ending September 30, 2023.

Earnings Per Share also increased from $6.57 to $9.06 per share as of September 30, 2023, indicating an increase of 37.9%.

The Bank maintained a strong Capital Adequacy Ratio well above the prudential benchmark of 8.0 set by the Central Bank.

Declares Dividend of 225%. The Bank has

increased its dividend payout from $1.00 per share in 2017 to $2.25 per share, a growth of 125% Commenting on the p u b l i s h e d r e s u l t s , M r.

Samaroo, Chairman of the Bank, credited this remarkable achievement to the dedicated efforts of the staff and the strategic decisions made at the leadership level. He said this performance highlights the resilience and dedication of the Bank to deliver nothing but excellence to their stakeholders especially given the uncertainties in the current economic landscape.

Mr. Dave, CEO of the Bank, remarked how thrilled he is with the Bank's recordbreaking performance this financial year. He said it is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the team at the Bank and their determination to adapt, innovate and serve customers with the highest level of service. He further, stated that they remain optimistic about the future and are excited to build upon this success.

A motorcyclist was killed during the wee hours of Wednesday after he collided with a truck at the Railway Embankment Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is 32-year-old Curtly Christopher Cambridge of Lot 1578 Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to the police, the fatal accident, which occurred around 01:15hrs, involved, a motor lorry, owned by Build Smart Construction and driven by Dion Adam Richard, 25, and a motorcycle bearing registration CK 1795, owned and driven by Cambridge.

The lorry driver alleged that he was proceeding west along the Railway Embankment and while in the vicinity of the intersection with Agriculture Road, he turned north into the latter road.

At that point, the motorcyclist who was proceeding east along the northern side of the Railway Embankment at a fast rate, drove into the back of the lorry as it was turning into Agriculture Road.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist fell onto the road surface and sustained head injuries. An ambulance service was summoned, and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead by a medical doctor at the scene. A breathalyzer test was conducted on the lorry driver, however no trace of alcohol was found.

The driver remains in custody as investigations continue.

Guyana, a top investment Region Five to undergo extensive road destination development as $1B in contracts signed

– Min. Singh at PwC launch

The Ministry of Public Works on Tuesday signed 21 contracts valuing some $1 Billion to rehabilitate 25 roads in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

At the simple contract signing in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council building, Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill urged contractors to complete the projects by December 15. “Guyana is a country that has turned the corner, people are no longer hoping that one day their roads will be fixed, they are seeing it being fixed and the ones who are in

line to be next, they want it to be next today and not next tomorrow,” he said.

In the past two months, the government has advertised the rehabilitation of some 700 roads in Regions Four, Five, and Six, benefitting hundreds of contractors. To date, 287 contracts have been signed in Region

Officials of some of the firms signing their contracts

Six, with 201 contractors benefitting.

Another 62 contracts were awarded to 61 contractors in Region Ten, with another signing scheduled for Thursday, November 9, in the region.

Added to this, some 222 contracts were awarded for the rehabilitation of roads along the East Coast Corridor with an additional 78 contracts to be

signed, fulfilling the promise of completing 300 roads. Minister Edghill noted that these projects will be executed simultaneously in keeping with President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali's instruction “that in every single Region, the same thing is happening.”

The projects will be carried out in either rigid pavement concrete or traditional asphaltic concrete.

Meanwhile, Minister Edghill urged contractors to “give good diligence to quality” when executing works. To ensure this is achieved, the ministry had dispatched its engineers to lend assistance to all contractors.

Contractors are also given two weeks to notify the ministry of any issues that will result in the delay of the project.

(DPI)

S

enior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh says Guyana remains a top destination for investment opportunities as t h e c o u n t r y u n d e rg o e s significant transformation due to the booming oil and gas industry and the diversification of its economy.

The minister was delivering the feature address at the official opening of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Guyana, at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston Monday evening, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported.

Guyana has seen 40 percent economic growth over the past three years, and is projected to grow by more than 20 percent over the next four years, according to the senior government official.

“Taken together, those developments imply that the Guyanese economy would have and will be growing by an average of more than 30 percent annually, over seven years,” Minister Singh pointed out.

He said these projections are based on current proven

oil reserves and current Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels that are in production.

Minister Singh reiterated that the government led by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is committed to advancing the country's economic landscape, even in its non-oil sectors.

“As a government, we are firmly committed to ensuring that we maintain, that we build a highly competitive non-oil economy because we're entering oil production at a time when everybody who has entered oil production had a finite horizon because their resource was finite.” He noted that the developments have brought many of the large toptier oil and gas companies into the country such as Baker Hughes and Schlumberger.

“A number of those companies have said to us that they anticipate their Guyana operations becoming the hub for their regional operations, given the production trajectory and the anticipated scale of their own operations in the country,” Minister Singh added.

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Thursday November 09, 2023

Neesa Gopaul's mother freed after spending 13 years in jail for murdering daughter ...Prison Service tight-lipped on grounds for release Bibi Shareema Gopaul, the mother of murdered Queen's College teen Neesa Gopaul has been released early from prison.

Gopaul's release comes

understands that Gopaul was released three months ago. A source claimed that she was granted further remission on her sentence due to her good behaviour in prison.

Murdered: Neesa Gopaul close to two years after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had reduced her 45years jail sentence to 25 years in prison.

This newspaper

However, it was pointed out that even with the remission, the release appears questionable. This newspaper reached out to the Guyana Prison Service as

‘Leather’ remanded for allegedly killing man over land Sean Lindore, a 27-yearold miner called 'Leather' of Bartica, Region Seven was on Wednesday remanded for allegedly killing a man over a parcel of land.

Lindore was charged with murder and appeared at the Bartica Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Crystel Lambert. The court heard that Lindore and another man allegedly murdered Sherman Phillips, 40, called 'Sunno', at Sandhill Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven. According to reports, Phillips was chopped on October 8, 2023.

Lindore is expected to return to court on December 28, 2023.

Kaieteur News understands that the chopping stemmed over a land dispute. Phillips had allegedly accused Lindore and another man of taking a parcel of land that belonged to him.

It led to an argument which ended with Lindore

Remanded for allegedly killing man over land, Sean Lindore, and his alleged accomplice chopping Phillips, multiple times about his body. Phillips was reportedly rescued but later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

Police are still hunting down Lindore's alleged accomplice.

well as a lawyer who represented Gopaul during the trial; all parties declined to comment.

On October 2, 2010, the partially decomposed body of the teenager who attended Queen's College was found stuffed into a suitcase, which was anchored in a creek with several dumbbells at the Emerald Tower Resort at

Madewini, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Bibi and her lover, Jarvis 'Barry' Small were found guilty of the teen's murder following a trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in March 2015.

She was initially sentenced in the High Court to 106 years in jail while Small, was sentenced to 96 years. At the

initial sentencing, Justice Singh took into consideration gruesome manner in which the victim who was only 16 when she met her demise, this included the extent of the injuries she received, the manner in which her body was disposed of and the fact that she was killed by persons close to her.The pair then (Continuned on page 16)

Bibi Shareema Gopaul

Thursday November 09, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Guyana and China strengthen ties through Zhejiang Wu Opera Performance An act performed by members of the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Centre

China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Guo Haiyan

A

s Guyana and China deepen their bilateral relationship, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China collaborated to host the Zhejiang Wu Opera P e r f o r m a n c e Tu e s d a y evening.

The event, which was hosted at the National

Cultural Centre and performed by the renowned Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Centre, served as a vibrant platform to promote Guyana-China cultural exchanges and foster cordial relations.

Present at the performance was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. who said the activity is a partnership

that allows both sides to accept and understand each o t h e r ’s b e l i e f s a n d traditions. “China has had a long-distinguished history, especially in relation to culture and their displays.

And this was one of the areas that we were looking forward to collaborating with China,” Minister Ramson stated.

He added that the event

would also serve as a platform to educate the Guyanese population about China’s past and bring about diversification in the c o u n t r y. M e a n w h i l e , China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, noted that the Chinese people are no strangers to Guyana since they are considered one of the nation’s ethnic groups.

“Cultural exchanges

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.

play a very important part of Guyana-China’s relationship…Before COVID, Chinese outgroups would visit Guyana every one or two years. And so, I am very excited that the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Centre will bring us a wonderful, and cultural fest,” Ambassador Haiyan said. The event saw various Chinese activities being

performed such as dances, instrumentals, and skits, among others. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues were also in attendance. (DPI)

President Ali urges Guyanese to be beacons of positivity, unity In a world grappling with conflicts and uncertainties, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali implored every Guyanese to be beacons of p o s i t i v i t y, u n i t y, a n d unwavering support for their nation and its people.

The president was delivering the keynote address on Tuesday evening, at the opening ceremony of the five-day One Guyana Diwali Jalsa at the Corriverton Recreational Park in Region Six. Diwali, celebrated by Hindus worldwide, symbolises the victory of light over darkness and the human capacity to triumph. The Head-of-State urged individuals to embody this spirit, becoming beacons of hope. “Today, we live in a world that is marked with immense darkness…But what

A section of the large gathering at the opening ceremony of the five-day One Guyana Diwali Jalsa at the Corriverton Recreational Park in Region Six

do we do under such circumstances? Under such circumstances as a nation, we must re-energise ourselves, we must brighten our individual light to create a collective bri ghtness that will make the

changes that are positive for our country and our people,” the Head-of-State underscored.

President Ali affirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering unity and harmony

Rains swamp incomplete Santa...

From page 14 covered by workmen at the site. This publication understands that renovation works were expected to commence on July 8, 2023; however, this was delayed until the last week of August. The contract was awarded to A&F Contracting and Maintenance Services, a company which has been awarded similar contracts in the region through its affiliation with a

government official from Moruca. Reports are that in August, the contractor requested an extension until the second week in September and this resulted in the school’s administration implementing a rotation system for the 12 classrooms of children.

“Right now, work is not even 50% completed and we are in the 9th week of the term, we have only 5 weeks left” a parent of a child

attending the school related. In addition, given the delays in works, the school’s administration was left with little options in terms of storage of important school records as well as teaching aids among other items.

In addition to learning loss, the parents complained that their children are being affected by the noise from ongoing works during the school hours.

President Irfaan Ali and his family were joined by other government officials at the programme

among Guyana’s diverse people, ensuring that the One Guyana Diwali Jalsa remains a platform for families to celebrate together. “This event goes beyond the lighting of diyas, it goes to the foundation, the value system, the principles through which we celebrate Diwali and one of those things that we want to do as a country and as a people is to celebrate together. The only way we can do this is if we bring community life to everything we do and this is one of the greatness of these initiatives,” President Ali expressed.

He also reminded the nation to pray for the global community where the absence of peace is affecting the lives of many including women and children.

Additionally, under the One Guyana mantra, every

community across Guyana is undergoing massive transformation owing to government investments, complemented by the private s e c t o r, P r e s i d e n t A l i highlighted.

However, he noted that it is important for Guyanese to work in unity to enjoy the prosperity that is being sought. “That comes from individual family and collective action through which we become each other’s keeper and through which we support each other,” he underlined.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh shared similar sentiments and expressed that Guyana’s remarkable diversity and unity should not be taken for g r a n t e d . “We owe an

obligation to ourselves and the generations before us and indeed the generations that will come after us, never to take this beautiful harmony and unity that we enjoy in Guyana for granted and never to allow anybody to focus on differences and division,” the senior minister asserted.

The Diwali Jalsa is the first event of its kind and was organised by the First Lady’s Office, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Among those present at the opening ceremony were First Lady, Arya Ali, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Public S ervice, S onia P arag, members of the diplomatic corps, and regional officials.

(DPI)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Thursday November 09, 2023

UN Human Rights Chief warns of ‘living nightmare’ in Gaza T h e U N H i g h Commissioner for Human Rights reiterated the call for an urgent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during a visit to the Rafah crossing and El Arish Hospital in Egypt on Wednesday.

Volker Türk highlighted the dichotomy at the border crossing, describing it as a “lifeline” for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza over the past month, although “unjustly, outrageously thin.” But it is also “the gates to a living nightmare”, he continued, as people in Gaza “have been suffocating, under persistent bombardment, mourning their families, struggling for w a t e r, f o r f o o d , f o r electricity and fuel.”

Unprecedented danger The human rights chief is the latest senior UN official to travel to the region since Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping more than 240 others who were taken inside the

enclave. In response, Israel has been repeatedly bombarding the Gaza Strip, in addition to imposing a total siege on the enclave and launching a ground invasion, ordering civilians in the north to move south.

M r. T ü r k s a i d t h e atrocities perpetrated by Palestinian armed groups, and the continued holding of hostages, were heinous and constitute war crimes. “The collective punishment by Israel of Palestinian civilians is also a war crime, as is unlawful forcible evacuation of civilians,” he added.

Warning that “we have fallen off a precipice,” he stated that “even in the context of a 56-year occupation, the situation is the most dangerous we have faced for people in Gaza, in Israel, in the West Bank but also regionally.”

Mr. Türk issued an urgent appeal for the parties to agree to a ceasefire now so that three “critical human rights imperatives” can be

The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, talks to the media at the Rafah crossing point into Gaza.

met. He called for sufficient aid deliveries into Gaza, the release of all hostages and enabling “the political space to finally implement a durable end to the occupation, based on the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis to selfdetermination.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António

President Biden’s son Hunter and brother James subpoenaed in impeachment probe ( B B C N E W S ) Congressional Republicans have issued legal summons to several members of the Biden family in an escalation of their impeachment inquiry into the president.

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Mr Biden’s son Hunter, his brother James, and Biden family associate Rob Walker. It is also requesting transcribed interviews with five others.

The White House accused Republicans of “abusing their power to conduct a smear campaign”.

House Republicans opened their impeachment inquiry in September, saying they had uncovered evidence of President Biden’s knowledge of and role in his family members’ domestic and foreign business dealings.

But at the Oversight Committee’s first hearing that month, witnesses and even Republicans on the panel said more evidence was needed to determine if the president had committed any impeachable offenses.

In a statement on Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee said it had obtained financial

records that showed Biden family members allegedly set up more than 20 shell companies during Joe Biden’s vice presidency in order to hide payments they received from overseas. The committee further charged that the Biden family, its associates, and its companies had received more than $24m (£20m) from foreign nations, including some viewed as US adversaries.

“The House Oversight Committee has followed the money and built a record of evidence revealing how Joe Biden knew, was involved, and benefited from his family’s influence peddling schemes,” Chairman James Comer, of Kentucky, said. “Now, the House Oversight Committee is going to bring in members of the Biden family and their associates to question them on this record of evidence.”

Hunter Biden was ordered to testify under oath before the committee on 13 December, while James Biden and Mr Walker were asked to appear on 6 December and 29 November

respectively.

The committee also called on Hunter’s wife Melissa Cohen, James’ wife S a r a B i d e n , H u n t e r ’s brother’s widow Hallie Biden and her sister Elizabeth Secundy and Hunter’s ex-business partner Tony Bobulinski to provide transcribed interviews.

The White House was quick to respond, sending out a memo after the subpoenas were issued that accused Republicans of making “this partisan investigation a higher priority than virtually all issues Americans really care about”.

Speaking at the daily White House briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “This is an investigation that has been going on for a year now and has turned up zero evidence of wrongdoing by the president because there is none.”

In a statement to the BBC’s US partner CBS News, Hunter Biden’s lawyer indicated he would comply with the subpoena.

“This is yet another political stunt aimed at distracting from the glaring failure of Rep.

Guterres said on Wednesday that the number of civilians killed in Gaza shows that something is “clearly w r o n g ” w i t h I s r a e l ’s operations against Hamas.

“There are violations by Hamas when they have human shields. But when one looks at the number of civilians that were killed with the military operations,

there is something that is clearly wrong,” he told the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, hosted by the news agency. “It is also important to make Israel understand that it is against the interests of Israel to see every day the terrible image of the dramatic humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people,” he said. “That

doesn’t help Israel in relation to the global public opinion.” While he strongly condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, Mr. Guterres said “we need to distinguish - Hamas is one thing, the Palestinian people (are) another”, adding “if we don’t make that distinction, I think it’s humanity itself that will lose its meaning.”

Thousands from northern Gaza are seeking safety as Israel’s offensive continues (CNN) Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing northern Gaza as Israel continues its offensive in the war against Hamas.

It was the fifth consecutive day that the Israel Defense Forces opened an evacuation window, and numbers of people moving south have increased each day. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed Tuesday that IDF troops were at the “heart of Gaza City” and targeting Hamas infrastructure and commanders there. It is unclear where exactly Israel is fighting inside the city.

The number of civilian deaths in Gaza during the past month of war between Israel and Hamas means something is “clearly wrong” with the military operation that Israel launched in the wake of the deadly October 7 Hamas attacks, the United Nations secretary general said Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that “Israel

cannot occupy Gaza,” but “there may be a need for some transition period at the end of the conflict” between Israel and Hamas.

The top US diplomat’s remark came in response to comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who earlier this week said Israel will have the “overall security responsibility” in Gaza for an “indefinite period” after the war with Hamas ends.

Here’s what else to know: · “Nothing is left” in Gaza, Palestinians say: Palestinians fleeing south in Gaza through an IDF evacuation corridor on Wednesday described an unbearable reality in Gaza C i t y, w i t h c o n s t a n t airstrikes and no water. A man who did not provide his name told CNN in southern Gaza that he and his neighbors had lived through “horrifying days.”

He added, “This war left nothing safe – not churches, not mosques or anything. Today, they dropped the leaflet ordering us to leave to the alleged safe area. Now we

are beyond this area of Wadi Gaza, and we are still hearing bombardments.

There is no safe place in Gaza.” · Lack of fuel and supplies: The Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City is scaling back most of its operations amid a fuel shortage to ensure minimal services over the next few days, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said in a statement Wednesday. The hospital’s main generator has been turned off, PRCS added, and the hospital is operating on a small generator instead. Doctors in Gaza are running out of medical supplies, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross’s chief surgeon, while all bakeries have been forced to close in northern Gaza due to a lack of fuel, water and wheat flour. · Hamas still holding 239 hostages, IDF says: Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said We d n e s d a y t h a t t h e military’s current count of hostages being held by Hamas is 239.

Thursday November 09, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Volodímir Zelenski

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 09, 2023

NAMILCO commissions US$8M mixing plant - President talks up Private Sector collaboration to meet demand for wheat, animal feed

WANTED

VACANCY

One male and female ablebodied Staff needed to work in a store. Call: 225-2313, 2261497, 658-8559.

One experienced Driver to work in Georgetown. Interested persons can contact: 701-4000 between 8am-4pm.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

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

To purchase Antique or Vintage collectable souvenir.

Call or whatsApp 674-6452.

Washbay Workers needed at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara. Call: 233-5227, 682-1616.

Experienced canter Drivers to do water delivery. Must be living on the West Coast Demerara. Call: 662-9341.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics required. Call: 615-9132, Email application: techserigy @yahoo.com Maid needed to clean at East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

One male Cleaner needed for Eccles area. Call: 615-9132, 645-8443.

Live-in Domestic/ Maid needed. Must know to cook.

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Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 6998486, 614-1819.

Land 30X112 ft located at Robb and Bourda street.

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4 house lots totalling 205X115 ft in Kase village 6 street, Cummings Lodge.

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Business/ residential PFSGYD$58M, Visa Application, advertisements, graphics design, passport application forms & i130 application.

Call: 626-7040.

Repairs at affordable prices, refridgerator, washing machines, dryers, tv, microwaves, air conditioner & freezer. Call: 610-5846, 6618158.

Guyana’s current import of corn and soya as an input for feed production annually stands at US$23 million. The PPP/C administration is currently working to position Guyana as a prime destination for feed production to the CARICOM market as it seeks to lessen the food import bill.

President Ali was at the time delivering the feature address at the commissioning of NAMILCO’s US$8 million mixing plant located at Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

“That is why we’re now moving to the position of be-

Experienced able-bodied Yard man needed, flexible hours. Call: 614-1819.

Sales and Delivery Clerks needed. Apply at Lens 136 Sheriff Street. Call: 2272486/ 227-1511. Email: lensgy@outlook.com

LAND FOR SALE

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has urged the subsidiary of the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), Seaboard Overseas and Trading Group, to explore reengineering its operations to tap into the US$30 million feed production industry that is currently being developed by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture.

Warehouse Manager/Forklift Operator and Truck Driver (Part time or Full Time) at Lens. Call: 227-2486/ 2271511. Email: lensgy @outlook.com One Maid needed to work 4 days per week, must know to cook. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom with ID and recommendation.

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.

Accounts, Bond & Office Clerks, W/Union CSR'S, Truck Drivers, Sales Supervisor, Cashier, Shelf Restockers and Porters.

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Able-bodied Driver needed, $ 50,000 weekly. Call: 6175700.

Career Opportunity! We are now hiring Housekeeper.

Apply today, for more information Call: 227-6466/ 592600-8743.

VACANCY One mature live-in Maid needed to work at East Coast Demerara. Call: 6621883/ 654-2516.

Vacancy for Supervisor position at Royal Link Auto Parts. Contact: 616-17006.

With the Seaboard company already involved in the feed industry, the Head-ofState believes through a partnership with this company, a major feed facility can be established in Guyana to meet the demand.

“If Guyana now becomes the prime destination for our production of corn and soya, supplemented with the corn and soya from northern Brazil, then we can have a major feed facility here that then drives up into the CARICOM market … this will require you to do some reengineering of your logistics trade,” President Ali expounded.

Additionally, Guyana is working to become its own producer of wheat as successful trials at Paramakatoi in Region Eight and Santa Fe in Region Nine were recorded.

This initiative was birthed when the price of flour spiked, due to the Russia-Ukraine war which impacted wheat production. This too, is another viable industry that the Private Sector such as NAMILCO can explore when it embarks upon its expansion.

“Now we have to upskill testing and production … the

President inspecting a pack of flour at NAMILCO’s plant. result has shown so far that wheat can successfully be grown, now wheat successfully grown competitively is another part of the equation that we have to address our minds to,” he stated.

According to President Ali, the production of protein can also be a viable industry that can be explored by NAMILCO and its subsidiary, which is why the administration is working with several innovation groups from around the world. Revenues earned from the oil and gas industry are pushing the diversification of Guyana’s economy including the development of the food and agriculture industry.

Concerning the energy challenges faced by the manufacturing sector, President Ali assured that works on the multi-million-dollar gas-to-energy project at Wales, will be completed in two years, thereby paving the way for energy costs to be

reduced by 50 percent.

“We want to ensure that when you make these types of investments and you have the opportunity to get energy costs, we want to see how you’re going to penetrate other markets.

How you’re going to ensure your product gets into Northern Brazil, how your product gets into the Caribbean market, how your product gets into the northern America market, especially with a diaspora as large as ours,” President Ali added.

He also noted that the transport and logistical challenges in Guyana must be addressed by the private sector so that businesses can flourish. United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Komal Singh, President and CEO of Seaboard Corp, Jacob Bresky and Managing Director of NAMILCO, Bert Sukhai were also present at the commissioning.

Neesa Gopaul’s mother freed after spending...

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 649-0956.

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Call: 716-8891/ 500-6306.

Vacancy for a night Cleaner man. Call: 637-6700.

ing our producer of corn and soya. This brings a business opportunity for you and this is what we want Seaboard to sit with us now to see how we reengineer, you have to look at where the policies are going and see how we re-engineer what you do,” the Head-of-State underscored.

FOR SALE Close down sale on school supplies, party, picnic and a variety of hardware items.

Call: 630-5622/ 694-1895.

From page 11 filed appeals against their convictions and sentences.

Gopaul’s sentence was later reduced to 45 years and then further reduced to 25 years with the possibility of parole after 15 years, following appeals to the Guyana Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice in 2022.

The CCJ rejected her appeal to have her case dismissed but directed that her co-accused, Small, be freed due to lack of sufficient evidence to link him to the teen’s murder.

In 2022, the CCJ overturned the conviction and sentence of Small calling the evidence proffered against him in the lower courts “greatly prejudiced”.

Small was freed of the 2010 murder, some eight years after he was found guilty of the

crime.

CCJ’s Justice Denys Barrow said that the case against Small should have been dismissed since there was no case for him to answer due to the lack of evidence.

The court also agreed with the contentions of Small’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes that he should have been tried separately at the High Court since the evidence led in the trial was “greatly prejudiced” against him.

He noted that there were three pieces of evidence proffered to tie him to the crime– reports that he had sexually assaulted Neesa, a pair of dumbbells that reportedly belonged to him found at the scene of the murder, and a statement by Small that he did not murder Neesa but he knew who did.

The CCJ rejected the State’s argument that the report of sexual assault was motive enough for Small to want to kill his teenage stepdaughter.

The court dismissed the argument as “pure speculation.” With regard to the dumbbells, the court found that there was no evidence to show that Small had a hand in tying the dumbbells to the suitcase found with the body at the scene of the crime.

In relation to Small’s statement that he knew who killed Neesa, the court found that it was impossible to conclude that because he said he knew of the killing, he was the killer.

The CCJ found also some serious investigative flaws and noted that other supportive evidence was weak or equitable in the case.

Thursday November 09, 2023

GFF Technical Director hands vital football gear to Rupununi Regional Association for Grassroots Programme The Rupununi Football Association (RFA) essential football gear has been topped up by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Member Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP) for the ongoing grassroots programme in the region.

GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph and Competitions Director Troy Peters presented the balls, bibs, and hurdles to RFA President Norbert Williams on Saturday, November 4, in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

Joseph said “The RFA continues to lead with grassroots football. They have the largest population of players across the Nine Regional Associations as well as

GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph and Competitions Director Troy Peters presented the balls, bibs, and hurdles to RFA President Norbert Williams in Rupununi over the weekend.

an astonishing 29 football clubs registered to the RFA. It is so satisfying to be able to support the passion and commitment of these clubs my presenting much needed equipment to help sustain the development of football in the RFA. We’ve exchanged ideas on how youth football can be further impacted through appropriate competition structures as well as clubs getting involved by promoting

youth competitions” Additionally, the GFF officials held fruitful discussions with the RFA’s Executive Committee regarding the ongoing grassroots programme. They also attended the RFA male and female senior men and women’s championship matches at Wadapna Sports Ground and witnessed the culmination of several months of exceptional

Thursday November 09, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You might be extremely busy now. Invitations to large parties, small gatherings with close friends, and intimate evenings with romantic partners might come up today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Adventure is the word for today, Libra. A lot of physical and mental energy, as well as enthusiasm, might lead you to aim for goals that others consider too risky or unrealistic.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Unexpected visitors could wake you up to the possibility of new work opportunities, Taurus. This could advance your current job or be work you can do on your own - maybe on a volunteer basis.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) New career goals may come your way with the current aspect, Scorpio, opening up possibilities you may not have considered. This could be very exciting. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Fascinating new information could arrive today from TV or the Internet, opening up new educational opportunitie. The possibility of making contact and perhaps visiting new friends.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you aren't romantically involved, an errand, walk, or other foray into your neighborhood might bring an exciting new person into your life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Money that you may have been hoping to use to better your living or working condition could suddenly come your way today, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) When you run errands today, check the bulletin boards in local businesses. You may have been longing for adventure and dreaming about getting away from it all, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Information received today excites your imagination and encourages you to start a new artistic or creative project, Virgo. Stories, pictures, abstract concepts - all could come together.

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The A sudden burst of physical energy and determination could lead to additional income for you, Capricorn.

This is probably due to an unexpected opportunity to do some extra work.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Friends or a group with which you're affiliated could propose a trip. This might seem like a great adventure, Aquarius, so you're likely to go for it. You will probably have a wonderful time.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) An opportunity to do some extra work outside the scope of your regular job could present itself to you. Take it, Pisces. Not only could you earn some extra money.

club football in the Rupununi region.

Tabatinga Football Club is now the reigning male champions, while Guyana Rush Saints successfully defended their women’s championship title. The GFF grassroots initiative plays a pivotal role in the ongoing advancement of football in the Rupununi, which is the most populous football region in Guyana. It complements the federation’s Academy Training Centre programme. The GFF’s groundbreaking M-FAP programme continues to supply crucial equipment and training to grassroots coaches, ensuring that the sessions are well organised and enjoyable for all participants. M-FAP was launched by President Forde in 2020 with the full endorsement from the GFF Congress to support GFF members across four key areas: Administration and Operations, Equipment and Materials, Competition and Technical Development, and Infrastructure Development.

On Sundays in central Rupununi, eager young participants from diverse communities, such as Lethem, Tabatinga, and Culvert City, are taught the fundamental of football from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Wadapna Sports Ground in Lethem.

The main aim of the introductory sessions is to cultivate a passion for football and provide valuable developmental opportunities for aspiring young footballers.

Wilson leads slate...

From page 23 decision, whether I choose to run or not, on who they decide they want to lead.”

Forde further clarified, “I have not reached a decision as of yet. I was elected in 2015 and subsequently in 2019 by the members of the GFF, and it will ultimately be up to them.

The responsibility for determining who leads Guyana’s football rests squarely in the hands of the statutory members of the football community, and it will be their choice, whether I decide to run for office again or not.”

Forde made it clear that irrespective of the outcome of the December 9 election and the identity of the new leader of the GFF, he remains steadfast in his commitment to providing unwavering support.

Petra Org. launches MVP Sports Girls U11 Schools Football League The Petra Organisation, yesterday kicked off the 7th Edition of the Female Under11 Schools Football tournament with a grand launch at the MVP Sports Store, nestled inside the Giftland Mall. This exciting four-week competition, generously sponsored by MVP Sports, is set to kick off on November 18, through to December 9.

Leading the charge in this initiative is Troy Mendonca, Co-director of the Petra Organisation, who took the opportunity to provide a glimpse into what’s in store for this tournament. Anticipating robust participation, Mendonca expects at least 20 teams to join the competition.

The teams will be divided into five groups, each comprising four teams. This initial structure will then be whittled down to 16 teams, eventually culminating in the top eight contenders vying for the coveted title.

During the ceremony, Mendonca didn’t miss the chance to extend his gratitude to all the stakeholders involved in making this event

a reality. Special mention goes to Ian Ramdeo, the Chief Executive Officer of MVP Sports, who is this year’s title sponsor. Additionally, he acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Guyana Football Federation, the Ministry of Education, and the dedicated coaches and teachers.

In an exciting development for the tournament, Mendonca unveiled a notable difference from the boys’ competition. To elevate the level of play and provide added motivation, the winners of the Female Under-11 Schools Football tournament will receive financial incentives. The first-place team will earn a substantial prize of $150,000, the second-place team will walk away with $100,000, and the third-place team will be awarded $75,000.

These funds will be directed toward a school project of their choice. Furthermore, there will be a range of individual prizes and trophies to recognize and reward the top performers in the tournament.

2023 Hamilton Green’s Inter Ward KO...

From page 22 dramatic showcase of highstakes soccer, tactical genius, and heart-stopping moments, as these teams leave no stone unturned in their quest for glory.

Adding to the excitement, the Tournament Executive Coordinator, Lennox Arthur, has a special treat in store—a Master’s tournament that kicks off at 12 noon. This mini-tournament will feature eight teams, including Club 45, Wales, GDF, Conquerors, Pele, Stabroek

Ballers, Santos, and Victoria, competing for a top prize of $70,000, while the runner-up will receive $30,000.

The success of this tournament is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Dr. Linden Dodson, GTT, IPA, CIDI, Reunion Gold Inc, Superbet, Gafoors, E-Net, Toolsie Persaud, BK International, Star Party Rental, New GPC Inc, Busta, John Fernandes Limited, NAMILCO, and New Thriving.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 09, 2023

Trophy Stall set to arrange 2023 Hamilton Green’s Inter Ward KO Football Scrabble tournament in Guyana C/ship to reach its apex on November 13 The 2023 Hamilton G r e e n ’s I n t e r - Wa r d Knockout Football Championship is set to ignite on Monday, November 13, promising an electrifying showdown between some of the nation’s finest teams.

The Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground will pulse with the enthusiastic cheers of devoted fans, creating an atmosphere rife with tension and excitement.

Named in honour of the esteemed former Mayor of Georgetown and Prime Minister of Guyana, Hamilton Green, who is also celebrating his 89th birthday today, this tournament has delivered 30 minutes of thrilling action over the past two weeks per game.

The competition, which originally kicked off on October 29 with 30 teams in t h e f r a y, h a s b e e n a rollercoaster of emotions.

From the captivating group stages to the intense knockout rounds, it has surely treated fans to

Pernell Schultz and the Kitty Stars will be looking to book a spot into the finals.

moments of brilliance, shocking upsets, and unforgettable goals.

As we approach the climax of the tournament, the final eight contenders have emerged. Back Circle, Sophia, Stabroek Ballers, Uitvlugt, Gold is Money, Dynamic, Bent Street, and Kitty will engage in fierce quarterfinal battles, vying for a coveted spot in the final

four.

The survivors of these contests will progress to the semifinals, and ultimately, the winners of the semifinals will face off in the grand finals, with the ultimate prize of $500,000 and the championship trophy at stake.

The final day of the competition promises to be a (Continued on page 21)

Ms Tanda Crossman of the Trophy Stall hands over some of the trophies to Coordinator Roy Sharma of the Guyana Scrabble Association.

T

hose inclined to form words and spell will have a chance to show off their skills. The Trophy Stall and Lui and Associates in association with the Guyana Scrabble Association (GSA) will be holding a one day Diwali Scrabble Competition on Saturday 11th November.

The competition is being held in an effort to help

resuscitate the game of Scrabble in the country.

T h e 6 r o u n d s competition will be held at the Flavas Restaurant and Bar at Charlotte Street between Orange walk and Cummings Street. Starting time is 09:00 hrs.

The competition, which is open to everyone, will have a number of trophies and other incentives available.

Apart from the winners and runner up there will be rewards for the best emerging player. The player forming the most Bingos (seven letter words). The player scoring the most points without using a seven letter words.

The coordinator is Roy Sharma while Nellisha and Waveney Johnson are the tournament directors.

(Samuel Whyte)

Thursday November 09, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Concacaf’s Howard Mcintosh praises ongoing transformation of GFF’s National Training Centre

Head of One Concacaf and Caribbean Projects Howard McIntosh (right)and GFF President Wayne Forde inspect the facility.

H

ead of One Concacaf and Caribbean Projects Howard McIntosh on Monday said he was satisfied with the ongoing progress in converting the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre (NTC) into a cuttingedge facility that all footballers can take pride in when playing.

The visiting One Concacaf official was given a tour of the Providence, East Bank Demerara location by GFF President Wayne Forde on November 6. “It’s great to come here and see more progress and I’m happy to know that the lights will be up quite soon. I see renovation work taking place with the artificial pitch and again it’s just the type of steady progress that has been happening and continues to happen with President Forde and his administration and with Guyana football,”

McIntosh said.

Currently, United Statesbased company Musco Sport Lighting and local subcontractor Cummings Electrical firm are installing FIFA approved flood lights at the NTC. The FIFA Forward lighting project, which was approved in May, encompasses the production, transportation, installation, and testing of the lighting system. These lights, s c h e d u l e d f o r commissioning in December, will enhance the overall football experience for both players and fans at Guyana’s premier football venue.

Furthermore, with the support of Concacaf, the GFF will soon initiate the construction of seating on the western and southern sides of the field, as well as the conversion of designated rooms into dressing rooms.

“Every single time I come to Guyana I’m so

impressed with the progress in terms of infrastructure,” McIntosh added.

The facility tour took place while the Golden Jaguars and Under-17 Women National Team were in training for their upcoming international matches.

Earlier this month, GFF President Forde unveiled the final blueprint for the FIFA Forward U.S $1.1M facility, which encompasses a topnotch football pitch, contemporary office spaces, accommodation, state-ofthe-art media facilities and fan stands.

The design was done by architectural firm SRKN and will be phased out over a three year-period.

Following the tour with McIntosh, GFF President Forde shared that the floodlights will be installed in time for testing and the official switch-on in December. He further

Wilson leads slate for GFF elections …Forde yet to announce intentions of re-election Former President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Franklin Wilson, has thrown his hat back into the ring, formally announcing his bid for re-election to the post he previously held from 2011 to 2012.

In a recent display of enthusiasm, Wilson and his squad presented their lineup to the GFF at its Campbellville, Georgetown, Headquarters, in preparation for the eagerly anticipated December 9 General Meeting and Elections.

Wilson’s dream team consists of Vernon Burnett as the would-be First VicePresident, Ramesh Persaud and Gregory Wickham as prospective Second and Third Vice-Presidents, and a supporting cast of ordinary members, including George Clementson, Christine Schmidt, Althea Scipio, Raul Jerrick, and Otis James.

Following his p r e s e n t a t i o n , Wi l s o n expressed unwavering confidence in his team’s capabilities, stating that their collective expertise spans the many facets of the GFF’s associate members, proving that experience is their strong suit.

When asked about the team’s readiness to take on

the demanding role of football leadership, Wilson boldly declared, “Each team member boasts a long history in the world of football, whether at the administrative, financial, or o t h e r l e v e l s . We a r e confident that our combined expertise will complement each other, serving as a catalyst for the advancement of football in Guyana.”

“Over the years, we’ve been struggling to piece things together on a consistent basis, and we do believe we have what it takes to propel that process and maintain that trajectory,” the former East Bank Association president stated.

Wilson also highlighted the team’s commitment to inclusivity, stating, “Under my leadership, we plan to work diligently, support one another, and engage with every member of the GFF, including the nine administrative regional member associations, the ten elite clubs, and the three affiliates, which include referees, coaches, and women.”

He firmly believes that his team is poised to elevate local football to new heights, proclaiming, “To tap into our true potential and provide a

platform for players at both senior and junior levels to develop, we must be allinclusive. That will be our guiding principle moving forward.”

Meanwhile, the incumbent president, Wayne Forde, has yet to formally announce whether he intends to seek a third term in office.

During a recent appearance on Hits and Jams 94.1FM’s 592 Sports with R a w l e To n e y, F o r d e revealed that his decision hinges on reaching a collective agreement within his family.

“My family pays the biggest price for this job that I’ve been doing for the past couple of years…so any decision to continue will have to be a decision that they’re first and foremost prepared to support,” Forde related.

He added, “I haven’t made any decision as yet. I was elected in 2015 by the members of the GFF and then in 2019, and it will be entirely up to them. The power of who leads Guyana’s football resides in the hands of the statutory members of the fraternity and it would be their (Continued on page 21)

revealed that Season Six of the KFC Elite League will take place on a wellilluminated pitch at the NTC. “What is most encouraging is that there is ongoing work. I have every reason to believe that we’re going to meet the established targets. I know for sure that season six of the KFC Elite League will be played here under high quality floodlights and I believe the visibility the players will experience on the FIFA+ platform will have a huge impact in terms of opening up opportunities for them,” the GFF top official said.

With the lights in place, the GFF will have the capability to host and broadcast international matches for all national teams and local leagues, including the KFC Elite League, Women’s League Division One, and Regional Association Leagues, on the

FIFA+ digital platform.

The centre was formally inaugurated in 2019 with the initial phase encompassing installing the artificial turf and the construction of the main building.

The second phase will focus on constructing stands and installing lighting.

Upon completion, the

NTC will mark a significant milestone for the football community as the first official home of football.

Under the leadership of the Forde administration, the GFF has been actively driving the development of football facilities that can be used by footballers throughout Guyana.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 09, 2023

Durban Park Football Complex will revolutionise football infrastructure in Guyana - Howard Mcintosh

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Head of One Concacaf and Caribbean Projects Howard McIntosh (left) and president of the Guyana Football Federation Wayne Forde on a site visit of the Durban Park Football Complex.

he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) Durban Park Football Complex on completion will transform the football infrastructure landscape in Guyana, says Head of One Concacaf and Caribbean Projects Howard McIntosh.

The One Concacaf official conveyed this statement during an official November 6 site tour alongside Guyana Football Federation President (GFF) Wayne Forde to assess the completed first phase of the project, which included the clearance and filling of half of the 7.3 acres by local contracting firm McGregor’s Real Estate Development Inc. McIntosh restated

Concacaf’s commitment to the construction of a stateof-the-art, multi-milliondollar stadium in Georgetown with a seating capacity of 10,400, a main pitch, mini pitches for grassroots programmes and office space for the federation.

The $23.6 million phase one contract was funded by Concacaf One. “The potential that exists here at Durban Park for what we know is planned is tremendous and will change the landscape, change the infrastructure landscape forever for football in Guyana. Concacaf is in full support of what’s happening, and working closely with FIFA of course to make these things happen. He added that

infrastructure remains a significant challenge in the region and noted that he was pleased to see the project moving forward.

“We want to see the other half get done, but more critically we want to see that vision which I know would be unfolding in a short period of time.”

During the site, President Forde expressed his gratitude to Concacaf President Victor Montagliani for the introduction of the One Concacaf initiative which continues to provide essential support in helping Guyana elevate football to new heights.

“I was able to share with Concacaf and my colleague at FIFA the conceptual

designs that have been worked on by SRKN. At the moment we are having active conversation with huge private partners that will be a part of this historic stadium that we intend to build here.”

The top GFF official added that the GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph and his team are working on soon hosting “some of the grassroots activities that are being organised within the Wortmanville area on the site.”

The Durban Park Football Complex, projected to be finished within four years, represents the cornerstone of President Forde’s vision for Guyana’s infrastructure development.

CWI CG United Super50 Cup Trinidad and Tobago Red Force vs. Guyana Harpy Eagles

Bravo, Hinds send Harpy Eagles home as they await finals opponent - Bravo 53*, Hinds 4-15 Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Captain Darren Bravo stroked an unbeaten, matchwinning half-century while Terrance Hinds bagged 4 wickets, piloting their side to an easy 6 wicket win over Guyana Harpy Eagles, booking a place in this weekend’s final.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force made work of the chase, cruising to 107-4 thanks to their captain Bravo who finished on 53 off 70 not out.

The left-hander stroked 8 fours and found support from in-form opener Kjorn Ottley who hit 35, as the pair will enter the finals as the leading run-scorers of the competition.

Left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie put up a spirited performance in hopes of keeping the Eagles in the game, ending with 320. Veerasammy Permaul was the other bowler to finish with a wicket (1-16).

Earlier, Sherfane Rutherford hit 30 down the order, following a dangerous spell from Hinds, who ran through the attack with 4-15, keeping Guyana to 105 in 34.3 overs following a dismal performance batting

Darren Bravo piloted Trinidad to victory. first.

O p e n e r Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul was the only other Eagle batsman to reach double figures, with 22.

Spinner Yannick Cariah took his overall total to 18, adding to his previous tally of 16 after snaring 2-14 while his spin partners, Sunil Narine (1-12) and Akeal Hosein (1-13), we’re tremendous during their spells.

Today’s second semifinal will see Leeward Islands Hurricanes playing Barbados Pride for a place against the Trinis in this Saturday’s final.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 09, 2023

PAGE 25

Hikers’ 7-Aside mixed Hockey festival to spike off soon The hockey fraternity will have their hands filled with action as Hikers officially launched their 7Aside Mixed Hockey Festival, set to spike off this coming Monday.

Yesterday’s official launch was held upstairs at Everest Cricket Club Pavilion Carifesta Avenue, Camp Road where Hikers Club president Devin Munroe, outlined the logistics of the upcoming one day event.

Nine of Guyana’s top clubs such as GCC, Hikers, Saints, and Old Fort will be on show.

The competing teams, whose players were selected following an official draw, include - I-Net, Coles, Muse, Hoyte Logistics, Jai Signs, Sensodyne, Brand It, Germans, and Dyrock Construction.

Organizers explained that the format will see the respective clubs being divided into two groups, with one pool featuring five and the other featuring four.

Hikers president Devin Munroe (center) alongside Global Technology Manager Jacqueline Weeks and Demerara Fire and General Mutual Limited representative Marketing Officer Mina Narine following yesterday’s launch at the Everest Club.

The winner of the event, which was previously staged in 2013 and 2016 and is sanctioned by the Guyana Hockey Board, will receive $100,000 and a case of Guinness.

The runner-up will pocket medals and a case of

Guinness.

Munroe said the tournament targets building bonds between the respective players and clubs, similar to other franchise sports where players from other teams join forces as part of a new exciting

WI Women’s A suffer eight-wicket defeat to Pakistan Women’s A in T20 Tri Series final S p o r t s M a x - We s t Indies Women’s A again came up short against their Pakistani counterparts, as they went down by eight wickets in the Twenty20 Tri Series final in Lahore yesterday.

Asked to bat first, West Indies posted a paltry 97-6 from their allotment and that was easily knocked off by Pakistan, who got to 99-2 with 25 balls to spare.

Scores: West Indies Women’s A 97-6 (20 overs); Pakistan Women’s A 99-2 (15.5 overs).

West Indies suffered and early setback as opener Shabika Gajnabi retired hurt with just eight runs on the board.

That brough captain Rashada Williams to the middle earlier than she would have hoped, but together with Qiana Joseph, added 51 to the board.

Joseph, who topscored with a 39-ball 35, which included five fours, fell soon after with the Caribbean side at 59-1 in the 11th over.

Gajnabi returned but added only two runs to the board before she was bowled

by Saima Malik for 10.

West Indies women’s A captain Rashada Williams (left) and her Pakistan A counterpart Rameen Shamim. (CWI Media) Williams (18) followed shortly after, and from there it was a downward spiral, as they lost wickets at regular intervals, with Zaida James (12), the only other batter to get into double figures.

Rameen Shamim and Omaima Sohail, both ended with identical figures of 2-17 from four overs to lead Pakistan’s bowling.

Much like West Indies, Pakistan’s run chase started shakily, as Cherry-Ann Fraser combined with Williams behind the stumps to remove Eyman Fatima (5) with the score at 10-1.

H o w e v e r, S h a w a a l

Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza, steadied the innings with a 43-run second wicket stand that pushed the host closer to their target.

So, even when Feroza went leg-before-wicket to Joseph for a run-a-ball 23, which included three boundaries, Pakistan were in no real danger at 53-2 in the ninth over.

From there, it was left for Zulfiqar, with an unbeaten 39 off 38 balls, and Sohail, with an unbeaten 23-ball 20, to see off the remaining runs.

Zulfiqar’s knock had four boundaries, while Sohail had a solitary four in her innings.

dynamic within sports.

He further thanked the major sponsors, Demerara Fire, General Mutual Limited, and Global Technology via its I-Net brand, for their continued support of the initiative.

Demerara Fire and

General Mutual Limited representative Marketing Officer Mina Narine stated that the company recognises the integral importance played by sports and will continue to support the development of the discipline and the sports

sector.

Meanwhile, Global Te c h n o l o g y M a n a g e r Jacqueline Weeks stated that the company is proud once again to be a part of this initiative, adding that the entity understands the value of sports in Guyana.

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Wilson leads slate for GFF elections …Forde yet to announce intentions of re-election

A snippet of the new slate presented to the GFF by Franklyn Wilson (second left) as Ramesh Persaud, Christine Schmidt and Vernon Burnett share the moment. (Newsroom Avinash Ramzan photo)

Concacaf’s Howard Mcintosh praises ongoing transformation of GFF’s National Training Centre

CEO of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo handing over sponsorship to Petra Org. Co-director Troy Mendonca during yesterday’s launching at Giftland Mall.

Petra Org. launches MVP Sports Girls U11 Schools Football League

Head of One Concacaf and Caribbean Projects Howard McIntosh (left) and GFF President Wayne Forde during their inspection.

CWI CG United Super50 Cup Trinidad and Tobago Red Force vs. Guyana Harpy Eagles...

Bravo, Hinds send Harpy Eagles home as they await finals opponent - Bravo 53*, Hinds 4-15 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.