Kaieteur News

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

Guyana’s National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, which was crafted under the former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC)CoalitionGovernment,was foundtobeweak,hallowandnotin keeping with many international guidelinesorbestpractices.

This was revealed by Auditor General, Deodat Sharma during a performanceauditofthePlan.

Infact,Sharmasaidtheauthors of the document failed to evaluate even the slightest risk offshore for an oil spill. This fundamental step being skipped has left Sharma wondering just how effective the plan would be when it is not informed by the best or worst case scenario.

In his report, Sharma said the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) isdesignatedinthenationalplanas the Competent National Authority (CAN).AstheCNA,ithasoverall responsibilityforrespondingtooil spills, and the authority to make and implement decisions to mitigate the impacts of oil spills. Therolesandresponsibilitiesofthe other government agencies that will provide support to the Commissionarealsoidentifiedand defined.

OfsignificanceSharmasaid,is the fact that not all of the essential components of a national contingency plan in keeping with international guidelines and best practices were addressed in Guyana’sdocument.

One of the key elements Guyana’s plan makes no mention ofpertainstoacomprehensiverisk assessment to inform contingency planning.

Sharmasaidhewassurprisedto learn this was not done as it is a fundamental step for completing the plan Expounding on the

...document not in keeping

int’l guidelines or best practices – AG Report

importance of this stage, Sharma saidconductingacomprehensive risk assessment of the risk of oil spills is the “first step” in the development of a National ContingencyPlantoensureplans are developed in the context of the risks they are intended to address.

The Auditor General further notedthattheaimofsuchastepis to identify measures to reduce and manage the risks of spills, and the impacts should a spill occur He said results of the risk assessment should be used to inform the development of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and responsepolicies.

He categorically stated that, “a comprehensive risk assessment was not conducted by the Civil DefenceCommissiontoinformthe developmentofGuyana’sNational ContingencyPlan.”

In the absence of this assessment, Sharma said the followingcouldnotbedetermined: onwhatbasistheNationalPlanwas developed e g how hazards

associated with offshore facilities andoperationswereidentified;the related threats, the circumstances whichmaytriggersuchevents,and thepotentialcharacteristicsofsuch events; how possible oil spill incidentswerechosenforresponse planning; how response strategies wereformulated;andhowresponse tactics and requirements were determined.

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

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

In the absence of such assessment, the CDC said it was still important for a plan to be developed nonetheless with the

understanding that it will be constantly updated to reflect the changesbasedonnewinformation andGuidance.

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

In the absence of a risk assessment, the Commission said the country took the advice to proceed with the plan and in the event it was confronted by any spill, it could at minimum respond and manage in a coordinated manner

This year, the CDC said an assessment of scenarios was conducted and the matrix was developed to guide planning and response It said this will be includedinsubsequentrevisionsof theNationalOilSpillPlan.

with

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

WHAT ABOUT SANCTITY OF SOVEREIGNTY?

When the PPPC Government is determined to moveagainstobstacles,itsleaderspulloutall

thestops,andpowerahead. Itdoesnotmatter iftheobstacleisenvironmentalorhuman. Ifitisnotbowled over,itistrampledupon,orsqueezedoutoftheway Allof this stands in sharp contrast to how the Government of Guyana is dealing with ExxonMobil, and what it puts out whenhandlingthatpowerfulAmericanpresenceinthelocal arena.

The record will show that PresidentAli, Vice President Jagdeo,andMinisterofNaturalResourcesBharratallwalk ontiptoearoundExxonMobil. AnyGuyaneseconcernsand push for ExxonMobil to be engaged or confronted to get moreforouroilisblockedbytheseleaders. Anycallfrom GuyaneseforExxonMobiltobepressuredintoameetingof theminds,sothatGuyanacangetabettershare,onethatis fairer, for its oil wealth, and the PPPC Government and its leaders spring into action without right resistance, or some verbalslickness.

Talk about a better deal from ExxonMobil for our prize possession,the26,000pluskilometersStabroekBlock,and President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo transform into totally different men. There are no longer swaggering and confident leaders, but ones coming across as fearful, nervous, and feeble. In some form or the other, what the President and Vice President put out is the equivalent of sword fencing and dancing around, and trying their best to slip around any talk about renegotiation of the 2016 oil contract. Neither has a word of encouragement to give to Guyanese about the same rich Stabroek Block, and that upcoming projects will only be approved using the Vice President’snewtermsintheProductionSharingAgreement (PSA)thathesoproudlyputbeforethenation.

Weareworkinghardtodaytogiveleadersthebenefitof thedoubt. ThisappliesespeciallytoVicePresidentJagdeo, whenweavoidusingtheworddeceptivetorepresentwhatall ofthemaredoingwiththisStabroekBlock,andhowtheyshy away,likestartledhorses,fromapproachingExxonMobilto get more for Guyanese. We are also concerned that the Coalition Opposition, on occasion, has not been as vociferousanddemandingasitsleadersshouldbe,whereoil ingeneralisinvolved,andExxonMobilspecificallymustbe backedupagainstthewall,andmadetoseethelight.

His Excellency, President Ali himself has described ExxonMobilasa“superpower”todealwithinconversation. Thatmaybeso,andistobeexpected,butthePresidenthasa bigger trump card up his sleeve that even superpower ExxonMobil must come to grips with, and ignore to its detriment. It is that Guyana is a sovereign nation, and that whatwewantfromanyoneoperatinginthecovetedStabroek Block,wemustget. Oursovereigntybeatsthesuperpower strength of ExxonMobil. Our sanctity of sovereignty must andshouldalwayscomeoutaheadofanysanctityofcontract that ExxonMobil puts on the table, which is even more repulsivewhenweweretrickedandcheatedsomuchbefore andagaintoday.

Thefifthproject,Uaru,ismereweeksfromapproval,and PresidentAliandVicePresidentJagdeomustfindthesteelin theirspinestostanduptoExxonMobil,andinsistthatthisis thewaythatthingsaregoingtobe. Inotherwords,the10% royalty and 10% tax would apply, starting now. Then, all thoseotherprovisionsaboutring-fencingandcostthreshold, andtherest,ofJagdeo’snewPSAmustbecomepartofwhat is approved. Guyanese would be behind PresidentAli and Vice President Jagdeo whenever they are ready to confront ExxonMobil for more from upcoming Stabroek Block projects. Guyanesewouldbeasonewithbothleaderswith whatevertheydemandfromExxonMobilforus.

Let the new PSAterms and numbers takeover, be what comeinforce.

ExxonMobilcanmakeitsbedandrestonitssanctityof contract,despitethecriminalnatureoftherepulsivecontract itself. Guyanesecantakestrengthfromthefullfruitsofits sanctityofsovereignty Itjustcan’tbebeat,andthosewho seeitdifferentlycangotheirway

PNC-LED APNU=AFC IS OBSTRUCTIONIST

DEAREDITOR, restore and maintain Taxpayers’ monies are thenationalinterest.

The national cleanup conducive environments for being squandered on The petty, infantile, and exercise spearheaded by thebenefitofcitizens’health frivolous comforts for the obstructionist politics of the President Dr Mohammed and well being, in most party elites who control the PNC/APNU+ will continue Irfaan Ali on Saturday saw c a s e s , t h e i r o w n Council, without any to backfire as an affront and participation from citizens constituents, are being tangible services being insult to the intelligence, acrossthelengthandbreadth deliberately sabotaged by provided to the citizens decency, and pride of of Guyana. This took place i n a c t i o n a n d whatsoever Basic roads and citizens. Guyanese should despite the continued counterproductive drains maintenance and not be enticed by those antiobstructionist, anti-national shenanigans. In the capital cleanliness of the people,anti-nationalactions. posture of the PNC led city,wherethemomentumof administrative and Everyopportunitytobenefit APNU+AFCoppositionand national transformation is commercial heart of our from national and other their political enablers, who being generated by the country have been resources and see your refusetogetinvolvedonthe government, where foreign completely abandoned and families and communities behalf of their constituents, investors and foreign state left to the shame of daily transform and prosper while instructing their actors are being attracted embarrassment Every regardless of geographic lackeystonotcooperateand daily to opportunities that overture for sustainable location, political affiliation to undo national efforts as will help grow Guyana’s partnership interventions orethnicityshouldbetaken. soonastheyarecomplete. economy and create from the government since Do not listen to the Acrossthecountrywhere meaningful employment for 2020 has been rebuffed by obstructionists. Town Councils and itscitizenslikeneverbefore, the Georgetown Mayor and Sincerely, Neighbourhood Democratic the Mayor and City Council his Councillors, forcing the RyanNewton Councils are controlled by continues to demonstrate its central government to act in M o c h a A r c a d i a the PNC, national efforts to ineptitude. theinterestofcitizensandin Resident

DEAREDITOR, hereby goes on record that numbers expose, recently requirements. Yes, as he Anil Nandlall, in his westandreadytodiscussand tried to dilute matters by stated, the right to vote is Tuesday’s letter in SN support the necessary claimingthetotalpopulation sacred. supporting bloated list constitutional and other has increased. Regardless, if But so too are free, fair, denialism, showed that he amendments to ensure a thereare200,000ineligibles and credible elections. To has not been closely clean voters’ list as a onalist,thatnumberremains achievebalance,yoursacred following the debate on the necessary condition to 200,000whateverthesizeof right to vote is constrained issue. ensurethatthenextelections the population Not by certain restrictions and

He conveyed the false are free, fair, and credible.” surprisingly,therefore,since obligations (for example, impression that the That settled, the fact of the 2020, the international you must register to vote) to APNU+AFC Opposition matteristhatthePreliminary elections observers have all ensure the election results only last week conveyed its Voters’Listcontains684,354 called for new registration truly reflect the will of the readiness to engage in names. andanewlist. people. implementing the necessary This is over 90% of the Inhisletter,Mr Nandlall To throw more sand in constitutional and statutory total population! It follows finally settled on a better oureyes,theAGclaimedthat amendments, following that the National Register of point. Referring to persons thewidespreaddemandfora Chief Justice Roxane Registrants (populated by who have migrated, he c l e a n l i s t w o u l d George’s ruling on thoseGuyanese14yearsand asked: “Should they be disenfranchise persons who residency. In fact, the older, and from which the denied that crucial are overseas for medical, Opposition Leader voter list is extracted) must democratic right to vote, in business,orothertemporary announced that position be greater than our total the land of their birth?” Mr reasons.Mr Nandlallknows since August and several population.

Nandlall’slegalreasoningon better timessince.

DEAREDITOR, requirement It is felt consideration, despite That visit to the UK, purchasing a six months havingarelativelivingthere which unfortunately did not ticketonafirstvisitwasnot and apparently established. takeplace,andturnedoutto sensible in action and A much anticipated visit be nothing more than an thought. The exuberance e n d e d i n g r e a t expensive plane ride, has was palpable. Added the disappointment. Hopefully, lessonsforallofus. quantumofcashthe‘visitor’ this story will have a much

Chief among the lessons hadonhimdidnotconvince happier ending and brother is that the immigration the authorities that the sum and sister can be reunited authoritieshavethefinalsay could have sustained the sometimeinthenearfuture. who enters the country, visa intendedperiodofstay This Sincerely, requirement or no visa is a very important

This is an absurdity we constitutional rights often H e k n o w s t h a t At a press conference in mustcorrect. exposes a simplistic registration is kept open for August, Mr Norton stated: Gail Texeira, Nandlall’s absolutenessasopposedtoa aslongaspossiblebeforean “Recent pronouncements by fellow bloated list denier, framework that balances electionsothatthose b o t h t h e G E C O M recognizing the farce these competing rights and (Continuedonpage5) Chairperson and 2nd VP Bharat Jagdeo gave the deliberate false impression that the election laws of the countryarecastinstoneand are forever unchangeable. Guyanese know better Many would recall that in 1990, then President Desmond Hoyte agreed to postpone elections to facilitate constitutional and other amendments which saw, for instance, the enactment of the Carter formula(asArticle161ofthe constitution)and,forthefirst time,countingattheplaceof poll ” Mr. Norton then continued: “APNU+AFC

Immigration authorities have the last say, visa or visa-free requirement

That the national register of registrants is greater than our total population is an absurdity

National cleanup has to be a sustainable approach; national plan needed not “random acts”

DEAREDITOR, in front of people’s front nowhere to dispose of trash People track sand and dirt The Government led drainsarenotcleaned. and they do it aback the intothebuildings. clean-upcampaignsarequite Instead of taking time to village or in the burial Swami’s School admirable. do self-help and clean in grounds Tax Exxon and (Saraswati Vidya Niketan at It’s good to see the front of their yards, some friends and use that income Cornelia Ida) is a good President, the Georgetown people are waiting on the to invest in a few hundred modeloflawns. Mayor, and Government GovernmentorNDCtodoit specialized trash trucks Sadly, nastiness starts in officials being able to for them. That disease is equippedwithliftsystemsto schools. Fromayoungage, mobilise folks to go out and called “let-the-government- do weekly pick up of trash c h i l d r e n g e t b a d do cleaning of drains, do-it-titis.” across the country, not just socialization. weeding, removal of Any new Third Force Region4.Provideorrequire They attend decrepit abandoned vehicles, etc party must make clean each household to have a schools with poorly kept However, these ‘random communities a key plank of trashbinandarecyclebin. sanitationblocks,andwhere acts’ of clean-up campaigns its Manifesto, as the job is This means creating a the buildings, floors and from time to time is a not being done in a recycling programme too. desks are dinghy Local problem we need to fix. sustainable manner, as we Provide or subsidise lawn health clinic yards are kept Randomcleanupsarenotthe rotate between the PNC and mowers (push mowers) that poorly The toilets are solution. PPP Simplyaskingpeopleto people can use to mow their usually the most unsanitary When will the next practice proper disposal of grassonceaweek. places in Government random clean-up be held? trash alone will not help. Ifyouaredoingcleanup buildings and public places. How can we sustain these Government must create Restaurants and gas station campaigns once a quarter clean-up efforts on a routine several landfills in every toiletstoo.Eventheairportis or half yearly, the grass basis, using a systems region or procure trash messysometimes. will be too high to be approach, so that special incinerators,operatecovered

Nation let’s cultivate a mowed and you would cleaning campaigns are no trash holding areas in mindset for a clean, healthy then have to use longernecessary? villages, and provide more environment, befitting an string/metalbladeslashers.

After60yearsofboththe bins. emergingoilcountry Guyanese households have PNC and PPP, we have not These are root cause

Ditch the Third World not gotten into a developedpropersystemsto solutions.What is a resident mentality! Keep Guyana ‘landscaping’mindsetasyet. deal with sanitation, solid supposed to do with clean!

Instead of mowing the grass waste disposal, and keeping construction trash, yard Sincerely, regularly,peopleeitherweed ourenvironmentclean. waste, household trash, or Dr JerryJailall out the grass or use

There are no national, recyclables? gramoxoneorgrasskillersto regionalorlocalNDCplans. The problem is trash kill the grass and expose the Weare‘wingingit’aswe pick-upatthevillagelevelis dirt/earth. go Our communities non-existent, unreliable, or This is bad Many remain “stink and dutty.” random The NDCs are schools do not have lawns. Drains are not dug, parapets failures Villagers have

Nightmares in Bath Settlement

DEAREDITOR, breeding ground for

I must congratulate the mosquitoes Businesses GovernmentfortheNational occupy every inch up to the Cleanup Exercise that’s roadway causing damage to underway throughout the shoulder of the road. Guyana,butatthesaidtime, LookataplaceonPittStreet the upkeep must be strong owned by a contractor near enforcement, regardless of theheadofftheroadcausing whotheculpritsare. Iwould traffic nightmares on the like the Ministry of Public weekend, loud music WorkstohavealookatBath causing sleeping nightmares Settlement in Region 5 for older citizen around the where the entire reserve on neighbourhood and both side of the carriageway abandoned vehicles on the is occupied causing a traffic shoulderoftheroadaresome nightmare. of the things need looking The drainage system is intoimmediately blocked, water lodges after Yoursfaithfully, the rain causing fertile AnandPersaud

That the national register of...

Frompage4

personscangetregisteredwhenhome.Lastly,itmaybegood to quote GECOM’s 2008 press release on the start of the country’slastH2Hexercise—whichthePPPsignedonto. The commission stated the primary objective is ‘to establish an accurate, complete and current National Register of Registrants’Database(NRRDB).”

GECOM went on to declare that, “The imperative to conduct House-to-House Registration was born out of the needforthecreationofanindisputableNRRDBwhichcould beusedasthebasisforthepreparationofElectoralListsthat would be commonly acceptable by all stakeholders as being unblemished.” In2015,sevenyearslater,thePPPannounced itstillsupportedtheseobjectives. Whythechangeofmind? Sincerely, SherwoodLowe

Statutory Forms to submit Lists of Candidates for LGE available on GECOM’s Website

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday advised that Political Parties, Voluntary Groups, and Individuals desirous of contesting in Local Government Elections (LGE) 2023 can obtain the requisiteStatutoryFormsfor the submission of their respective Lists of Candidates from GECOM’s of Candidates, and pre w e b s i t e a t approved Symbols, on www.gecom.org.gy. Nomination Day,” the press

In a press release, releasesaid. GECOM said those Further, GECOM has concerned can also collect advised Political Parties and the Statutory Forms from Voluntary Groups contesting GECOM’s Registration t h e P r o p o r t i o n a l Office responsible for the Representation component LocalAuthorityArea (LAA) of Local Government tobecontested. Elections to complete and

GECOM by way of submit their Lists of Section 41(1) of the Local Candidates using Form 12 Authorities Act, Chapter accompanied by Form 13 28:03, has appointed i e t h e S t a t u t o r y December 12, 2022 as Declaration. NominationDayfortheLGE In the case of Political which is scheduled March Parties, Voluntary Groups, 13,2023. and Individuals contesting

“In this regard, all the First Past the Post or Political Parties, Voluntary Constituency component of Groups, and Individuals that the election, they must aredesirousofcontestingthe complete Form 12A said Local Government accompanied by Form 13A Elections are required to i . e . t h e S t a t u t o r y submit their respective Lists Declaration.

Police Force to embark on 24-hour patrols during Christmas season

…to increase drones, foot, vehicular and bicycle patrols

PoliceForce of Police and Commander of the launch of the Police’s while cautioning and urging ( G P F ) o n T u e s d a y Regional Police Division # 4 policingplan. consumers to be careful announced that they have ‘A’, Simon McBean in his Two hundred and fifty- during the busy Christmas embarked on a 24/7 patrol of anti crime presentation one ranks will be part of that season. the city with the aim of disclosed that the Force’s operation while 54 vehicles “Be alert and aware of curbing criminal activities operation will be centered in (14 bicycles, 14 motorcycles your surroundings at all and reducing traffic 15 sectors throughout and 26 motor vehicles) will times, carry only what you congestion during the Georgetown. allocated for this purpose. need, conceal valuables, Christmasseason.

“Each sector will be The Force will be targeting avoid wearing expensive

The Force disclosed that commanded by an officer – commercial, tourists and jewellery that may draw the policing plan which an inspector – along with residential areas as well as attention, and consider began on Tuesday will adequate ranks. Heightened the country’s ports of entry alternative payment options conclude on January 15, intelligence led special including the Cheddi Jagan such as credit/debit cards,’’ 2023 and will see a operations, and heightened and Eugene F Correia McBeanstated. significant increase in drone, focusonnoisenuisance,also InternationalAirports. Similarly, Crime Chief foot, vehicular, marine, special emphasis will be “We intend to reduce Wendell Blanhum, said that canine and mounted patrols placed on commercial and crime, fear of crime, traffic like strategies are being inGeorgetown. r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a s , ” accidents and congestion implementedacrossthe Assistant Commissioner Commander McBean said at during this period,” he said (Continued on page 27)

10 Transport and Harbours staff to travel to India for training on new North West ferry

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana H.E. Dr. KJ Srinivasa with employees of the Transport and Harbours Department (Indian High Commission photo)

Ten employees from the The selected employees December3-7,2022. maintenance after arrival Transport and Harbours are: Victor Reid, Chief During a courtesy call on which is expected at the end Department will be Mechanical Engineer; High Commissioner of India ofJanuary2023. travelling to Kolkata, India Cleroy Haywood, Captain; H E Dr. KJ Srinivasa, The ferry was launched in December for training Orson Lindie, Mate; discussions were held on the into water in June 2022 by related to a new North West Matthew Burke, Mate; Paul progress of the project and Public Works Minister, Juan ferryvessel,MVMaLisha. Brotherson, Chief Engineer; training/inspection for which Edghill.

Theferryisbeingbuiltby Garfield Karl, Second theteamwillbevisitingIndia TheMVMaLishaOcean IndianDefensePublicSector Engineer; Courtney M e a n w h i l e , t w o going ferry will cater to the Enterprise Garden Reach Melville, Ordinary Seaman; representatives of the transportation needs of Ship Builders Ltd. under a Randy October, Ordinary Garden Reach Shipbuilders passengers and cargoes Government of India funded S e a m a n ; C o u r t n e y and Engineers Ltd are alongtheriverainandcoastal 12.77 million Grant/Line of McDonald, Surveyor of currently in Guyana, where routes of the North Western Creditline,apressreleaseby Ships; and Collis Bethune, they are coordinating final district of Guyana, fulfilling theIndianHighCommission Technician (Electrical) preparatory work for the a long standing demand of saidTuesday They will be in India from arrival of the ferry and theRegion.

TheGuyana

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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First, it was to be completed in September,

Then there was a long silence.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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Let us hope they are the ones that jump up and bite us.

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US$9B could turn out to be a hell of an expensive toy for this country that can’t afford to feed its people.

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— says her comments about economic climate here misleading

Businessman

Glenn Lall has takenumbrageto statements made by US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch that the economic prospects of this countryarepromising.

Lall and others have deplored the lopsided oil contractGuyanasignedwith ExxonMobil believes that this country is being robbed billions and will be left poorer after the oil reserves are fully exploited. In a front-page headlined article on Sunday, the Guyana Times reported Lynch as saying “Guyana’s economic climateverypromising.”

Her comments were made during an interview facilitated by the Wilson Center,whichthenewspaper republished. According to the Guyana Times, Lynch r e f e r e n c e d t h e M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding (MoU) that Guyana signed with the US Export-Import Bank in July ofthisyear

“The US Government, through the Export-Import Bank, also signed a historic MoU with Guyana, which

would allow for the accessing of up to US$2 billion of potential investment. So, with all these things we really find theclimatepromisinghere,” thediplomatexplained.

Going into detail on someoftheareastheUShas provided assistance to Guyana, Lynch spoke about the help the US has given in improving management and digital solutions in elections andtheJudiciary

“On economic growth, we’ve done so much to highlight the economic

investment opportunities, through virtual meetings, through trade missions, through conferences We work primarily in the areas of governance, economic development and security And as such, we work with Guyana to improve t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability, we provided assistance from the US Treasury to Guyana’s Revenue Authority to help them audit large contracts and improve their human resourcing efforts,” she was quoted in the GuyanaTimes assaying.

“And to improve standards, we’ve worked on even some people-to-people exchangeslikeourFulbright programme, to provide specialiststoworktoensure that certain programmes at theUniversityofGuyanaare accredited, like their engineeringprogramme.So, we have the accreditation board for engineering and technology that we’re working with And a Fulbrighter to help them,” Lynchsaid.

Lynch was asked about geopolitical interests in

Guyana, particularly since tenders for large projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) and components of thegas-to-shoreprojecttend to attract international bids from various countries includingtheUS.

“Chinese companies are bidding on these tenders, European companies, Canadian, US, we’re all bidding. Our hope is that what we can show, as the United States, is that our companies bring something thatnotallinvestorsbringto thetable.”

“And that’s quality, excellence,on-timeprojects, on-time budgets. So, we’re really hoping that we’re the partner of choice in the

majority of these projects,” thediplomatexplainedtothe interviewer

SICKENING

Meanwhile, reacting to the comments by the diplomat, Lall on his Monday night radio programme-‘TheGlennLall Show” said the news item was very sickening. He said Lynch is deliberately selling theGuyanesepeoplea“fake dream, a dead, stinking pig in a bag… that’s what she is doing to all of us with that string she is dangling in our face about promising economy.”

He said the Ambassador never one day talked about the “rip-off the American companies along with ExxonMobil doing to Guyana with that criminal oilcontract.Acontractadeal that cannot even repair the damage and destruction beingdonetoGuyanabythe oil companies who fetching outouroilwealth.”

Mr Lall said the US Ambassador would not speak about the security of Guyanaanditspeoplewhere full liability coverage is concerned.

“Guyana’s environment and its people is of no value to her, you think she is concerned if ExxonMobil paying taxes or not, but this is the promising economy

she is dangling in front of Guyanese…and the Guyana Times,Jagdeonewspaper,is proudtoputthatonthefront page – that’s the kind of message Jagdeo wants to plasterinthefaceseveryday ofcitizens.”

According to Lall from independence to now, there has been little progress in this country “All the gold, diamond and bauxite have been stolen by the billions every year, the country still sitting with a US$3B debt and keeps borrowing to buy COVID medicine and patch roads. The US Ambassador seesthataspromising.”

Lall said in the Guyana Times article readers were remindedoftheUS$2Bloan promised to Guyana by the US Exim Bank. “We will wait and see if Guyana will begetthe4%interestrateon the loan like what the developedworlddoespayor the 14% the black, brown and purple people pay,” he said.

Lall continued: “This is the promising economy the US Ambassador is talking about. Before we found oil, you couldn’t get a penny to borrow from them, because there was nothing for them, now we found oil and everybody wants to shove money down our throat by thebillionsinloans…”

Businessman, Glenn Lall

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch

With the rise in possible given that Guyana oil prices in faced a territorial threat and the1970s,oil- was a newcomer to the

producing industry The PPPC while countries were able to recognizing the flaws in the transform their fortunes agreement have refused to The discovery of oil in a budgeindemandingahigher short period of time brought royalty, ring-fencing and a untold wealth to many lowerceilingfordeductions. countries.

Glenn Lall in the Most of these countries, meantime continues to plug including those in the away in calling for

borrowing spree It is Persian Gulf, have renegotiation.And the more borrowing left, right and squandered their oil wealth. he does this, the more the center The Guyana The IMF recently did a governmentinsiststhatithas government is borrowing report which suggested that to respect the terms of the fromtheIDBand,now,even some of the Gulf States existing contract. The two – theAmericanshavesetaside could run out of money Lall and the government – US$200Bforustoborrow before they run out of oil. have not been on the same

Borrowing is a trap CountriesinAfricaandeven page when it comes to the When the OPEC countries the Caribbean state of PSA. came together and caused a TrinidadandTobago,aswell Finally, however, a spike in oil prices in the as Venezuela misused their government official has 1970, they enjoyed a oilwealth. come out and has said what windfallinoilrevenues.

Even these countries Lallhasbeensaying,butfor But when they were would not deny that they a different reasons. Lall has awash with revenues, they received substantial been claiming that the 2% could not utilize all and so revenues from oil and gas. royalties is a poor return for they banked them in the But many of them engaged our oil assets The western banks. The Western in profligate spending with governmentofficialhassaid banks in turn took that the result that many of them that our oil revenues are money and lent it to poor now face serious economic moderate in relation to our countries including Guyana. problems. developmentneeds. And this is how the debt

Guyana must learn from If this is so then it is crisis emerged for poor the examples of these states mind-blogging that the said countries. andthisiswhatthepublisher official belongs to a Guyana is therefore in a of the newspaper, Glenn government which vice. Our oil revenues are Lall, has been urging the adamantly refuses to nowdescribedastoomodest government. renegotiate the PSAso as to to meet our developmental

Heisafraidthatoilcould obtain greater revenues needs. be a curse unless there is a Surely,themerefactthatthe The Natural Resource proper plan for the oilrevenueswouldbeunable Fundwhichwascraftedwith utilization of oil revenues to satisfy our development support from the western and, more importantly, needs should imply that countries provides that the unless there is a better deal there is need for us to get bulkofouroilrevenueswill forthecountry morerevenueforouroil. remain in external banks

Both the APNU+AFC Unless Guyana obtains while the country has to and the PPPC governments more for its oil, then the borrow to finance the gap haveattemptedtodeflectthe country is not going to be between its financing needs criticisms which Lall and abletoimplementthesortof anditsrevenues. others have leveled against plans which the government

The more the country Production Sharing is promising. And that is borrows, the greater the risk Agreement (PSA) with the why this statement by the that we could end up being oil companies. He has also government official is an buriedindebt. beencriticalofthefailureof important development

It is a vicious cycle with the PPPC to renegotiate the becauseitsuggeststhateven noendinsight. deal which the very PPPC with the ramping up of oil (The views expressed in describedaslopsided. production, the higher this articles are those of the

TheAPNU+AFCwhich revenues generated would author and do not signedthePSAhadsoughtto stillnotbesufficienttomeet necessarily reflect the justify the terms of the ourdevelopmentneeds. opinions and beliefs of this agreement on the grounds Itmayalsoexplainwhy n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s that this was the best deal thegovernmentisgoingona affiliates.)

Dem boys seh...

De price of rum is de same

Christmas deh around de corner and price is rum. So while we might be able to peoplegettingworried.Onemanclaimhow drink we fill, we might not able to eat as depriceofduckis$1200perlb.Butdatgat muchduck,turkeyandham. tobeaspecialduckhegettingbecausedem De irony is that even though rum price boysknowdatducksellingfuh$800perlb. nah gone up, de price of ginger and sorrel Another man talk how it looking like a wah people does use fuh mek ginger beer bleak Christmas because de price of ham and sorrel drink on de rise. So while might be $3,000 per lb. De price of foreign Guyanesemightbeabletoaffordrum,dem turkeymightbehigher might not be able to afford ginger beer and

Dem housewives worry dat eggs can sorreldrink. end up being $100 each. That gan virtually

But Guyanese know how fuh mek de rule out having much cake this Christmas. most of de holidays. If dem gat to eat And dem boys know dat yuh can’t have a chicken instead of turkey, bacon instead of Guyanese Christmas without fruit cake, ham, and fish instead of duck, dem gan do sponge cake and black cake, the latter of dat. And so lang as dem gat plenty rum, whichisusuallymadeoffruitscuredinrum. Christmasganstillbenice!

De only thing which nah increase in Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

VincentAlexandersuesVPJagdeoforlibel

ice President,

Vprovide details on the Bharrat Jagdeo following, ” the Vice has been sued Presidentsaid.

over statements

But Alexander refuted

He also questioned how of alleged libel he made many persons benefitted againstVincentAlexanderin from capacity training, the his capacity as Chairman of types of training offered, l o c a l n o n p r o f i t , who conducted the training, International Decade for andwhatprocesswasusedto People of African Descent select both the trainers and Assembly Guyana beneficiariesofthetraining. (IDPADA-G).

According to the lawsuit muchof whatJagdeosaidat drafted by Attorney-at-law an IDPADA-G hosted press EusiAnderson,Alexanderis conference. Among claiminginexcessof$150M Alexander’s assertions was for damages and special that he is not paid for work damages done as a result of done for IDPADA-G, that thewordsutteredbyJagdeo. Jagdeo is trying to vilify the The statement of claim organisation and that the document lists Jagdeo, the organisation has been Department of Public spending money in the Information (DPI) and A f r i c a n G u y a n e s e AttorneyGeneralofGuyana community asrespondentsinthecase. “Weareproudofthefact

The document outlined that we are able to fund the that Jagdeo defamed Night Schools which have Alexander by claiming that brought back children into he had a personal financial the loop of the education interestintheadministration system This we do in oftheaffairsofIDPADA-G. Georgetown and in the Alexander has countered by Corentyne.Sothat’sanother saying he has never paid a instance of the outreach”, penny and acted purely as a Alexandersaid. volunteer

Further, Alexander said

The lawsuit accused “ many people would Jagdeoofmakingtheclaims know of the work that was when there has not been a done in the Mocha Arcadia shred of evidence to support market day, which we also them As a result, the funded. Many people would claimant is also seeking a know of the exhibitions we publicapology,retractionfor have had at Square of the information that was Revolution and the [Main broadcasted over the Street] Avenue,” Alexander accountable to the electronicmedia. said,describingtheactivities Government and has been

On August 19, during a asphysicalmanifestationsof conducting private audits in press conference, Jagdeo theorganisation’swork. relationtoitsspending. accused the organisation’s The organisation had

Jagdeo questioned how leaders of pocketing State also issued a statement in muchofthe$100Mperyear f u n d s t o s u p p o r t which it further defended IDPADA-G received since Afro–Guyanese. itselfanddetailedmoreofits 2019 was spent on salaries

Jagdeo had alleged that work. anddetailsonthosethatwere the organisation’s Board of

IDPADA-G falls under paid. Directors were personally the United Nations

“Firstoffletmestatethat benefitting from an almost designated International I have absolutely no $500M state allocation, and DecadeforPeopleofAfrican intention of apologising to singledoutAlexander,asone Descent (2015-2024) under VincentAlexander and he is ofthebeneficiarieswhohave thetheme‘PeopleofAfrican free to take whatever course done little to nothing for descent: recognition, justice of action he wishes. Afro- Afro-Guyanese. anddevelopment.’

Jagdeo stated too that

Guyanese still remain in the

It requires all nations dark as it relates to the while the organisation is with African descendants to benefitsoftheclosetohalfa registered as a private putinplacemechanismsthat billiondollarsutilised. agency, receiving State provide support for the

He should therefore funds, it has not been marginalizedethnicgroup.

Chairman of IDPADA-G, Vincent Alexander

Vice-President, Bharat Jagdeo

GUYANA HAS MORE CRUEL AIRPORT REJECTIONS THAN THE UK

T h e G u y a n e s e mistreatment of those that Diamond/Grove Police men It was a local press coverage nationalityhastraitsthatare havebeenrefusedentry Station after court businessman who paid their and people writing not only comical, asinine, So how Guyana would appearance and ordered passageoutofGuyana. letterstothemedia.I dangerous but completely have treated a visitor who deported but could not pay The media highlighted say unapologetically, illogical. Last week, a man was denied entry? After their transport out of the man from Linden who Guyanese authorities went to the UK with 400 stamping the passport, that Guyana. was sent back by UK at the airport treat poundstospendasixmonth person would have been I stand by every inch of immigration last week. The ineligible visitors far room at the airports at holidayandwassentback. transported to the Timehri columnspaceinthatarticle. media need to research how more disdainfully than the BarbadosandTrinidad. He was extremely lucky station lock up to remain I received that information many CARICOM nationals UKimmigrationofficials. We are now doing the for the generous treatment there until he/she can find from a source that was and LatinAmerican citizens And guess what? same to our neighbours – he received. He was sent passage back to his/her impeccable. One Brazilian were turned back at our Knowing this unbearable Venezuela and Brazil and a back to Guyana via homeland. detainee literally ran mad pointsofentrynotonlyatthe nation, no one is going to sister CARICOM country, Barbados Barbados is a This country was becausehewasincarcerated twoairports. highlight how we treat Haiti; included on the list is verysmallplacewithahigh violating international law indefinitely He used to hit It does not happen foreign arrivals who are Cuba. percentage of Guyanese by permanently holding hisheadontheconcretewall infrequently, it happens deniedanentrypermit. Our government should residents By now, the d e p o r t e e s a t daily Three prisoners were incessantly. Go to the We just could not be have a policy of humane gentleman may be back Diamond/Grove Police buriedsecretly immigrationofficeonCamp bothered. I am just eager to treatment when it comes to safelyinGuyana. Station. If you think At the time I came upon Street and see how doacolumnonthesubjectof deportees.Putthepeopleon The way that incident Guantanamo has prisoners thescoopandwroteaboutit, insultingly, Chinese, Guyana topping the list of a plane instead of played out in the UK would for decades without trial, I opined that the President VenezuelansandCubansare countries with the highest permanently imprisoning neverhaveendedlikethatin you had to see the Granger and Minister of treated.IwasattheMinistry levelofdiasporafolks.AndI them at various police thiscountry.Guyanahasone Diamond/Grove Police Home Affairs, Khemraj of Citizenship during the willdoitinthecomingdays. stations. of the highest, maybe the Station under the Ramjattan were in violation APNU+AFC government But I say with emotional Imagine some children highest level of immigrant APNU+AFCgovernment. of international law and the and the local official was vehemence,thiscountryhas in Brazil do not know their violationsthantherestofthe When I exposed this UN should intervene I literally shouting at and norighttocomplainwhena fathers were buried secretly world. scandal in my column of deeply believe that both insulting a group of Guyaneseisrefusedentryat inGuyana. But we who live here in Tuesday, March 26, 2019, Granger and Ramjattan Brazilians with their a foreign port. We do worse (The views expressed in Guyana do not know about titled, “Guyana secretly should now face criminal children.Itoldhershecould here. this articles are those of the cruel attitudes of Guyanese buries dead foreign charge by the relevant and should not speak to Itshouldneverhappenin author and do not immigrant officers because prisoners.” I got several internationaltribunal. innocentpeoplelikethat. Guyanabecausewehavefelt necessarily reflect the the families of the victims – emails from people who Some deportees were When I read the press thepangsofrefusalforover opinions and beliefs of this Brazilians, Cubans, were willing to buy airline languishing for years at the reports about the Guyanese 50 years at CARICOM n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s Venezuelans,andHaitians– tickets for the deportees. Brickdam lock-ups, among sent back from the UK, I airport. I was a young man affiliates.) do not publicize Guyana’s They were housed at the them were six Nepalese thoughtitwasnotworthyof whenIheardaboutaGuyana

FrederickKissoon

Norton prepared to up royalty rates and tax ExxonMobil

Aubrey Norton on Tuesday announced his readiness to ensurethatGuyanesebenefit more from the Stabroek Block, operated by ExxonMobilanditspartners by subjecting all future projects within the Block to newterms.

Norton was at the time responding to a question posed by Kaieteur News at hisweeklypressconference. Recently, the Opposition Leaderhadsaidthatthenew fiscal terms announced by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for the oil Blocks to be auctioned should also be extendedtofutureprojectsin theStabroekBlock.

“We have not seen all

thattheyhaveputout,[itis] mainly introductory We want to see the entire agreement and then we will be in a better position to comment but for now, we believe that the resources from oil must benefit our people and as a government inwaiting,wearecommitted to ensuring we get as much as possible out of the agreementwhileatthesame time ensuring that the investors get a reasonable return on their investment,” hesaid.

President Irfaan Ali had told reporters on Friday that the Opposition is taking an opportunistic position while blaming the former

Coalition Government for

the“lopsideddeal”.

Norton in response said, “I don’t know that there is anythingopportunisticabout our approach. First, we said whenthefirstagreementwas done the environment was a t o t a l l y d i f f e r e n t environment, now we know we have more barrels of oil. Now we know a number of things that we didn’t know then and therefore going forward, we are committed toensuringthatthepeopleof Guyanabenefit.”

Nortonassuredthatthere will be scrutiny of the existing contract. “All I am saying, we will look at that contract and once we are satisfied that those are the conditionsthatarethere,we

are prepared to do it but we arenotgoingtocommituntil we see the entire contract, know where the weaknesses lie, know where the strengths are so we can comment on them and then makeafirmcommitmenton whatwedoingovernment.”

Norton said it was critical to see the new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) because the terms in the document could be different from that announced by the Vice President.

Stakeholders have been c a l l i n g o n t h e Administration to renegotiate its contract with ExxonMobil since the Stabroek Block’s PSA was signed at a time when only 1.1 billion barrels of oil was discovered. Six years later, over 10 billion more barrels have been discovered in the country’s Exclusive EconomicZone(EEZ).

Further, the oil company has been making massive profits off the country’s wealth, while Guyana, for example refuses to impose taxes and hike the royalty

ratesfromtwopercent.

Both the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and the Alliance ForChange(AFC)havesaid thatthetermsofthenewPSA announcedbyVicePresident BharratJagdeoforthe14oil blocks that are to be auctioned,mustapplytothe Stabroek Block to level the playingfield.

Jagdeo said the new fiscaltermswillincludea10 percent royalty, 10 percent corporation tax and a ringfencing provision He explained that the 14 oil blocksvaryinsizebutrange from approximately 1000 square kilometres to 3000 square kilometres, with the majorityofthembeingclose to2000squarekilometres.

Meanwhile,theStabroek Block which covers approximately 26,800 square kilometres and is operated by ExxonMobil and its partners – Hess and CNOOC–remainsboundto a separate arrangement in which it only pays two percentroyalty,notaxesand also recovers expenses from multiple projects from the

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

revenue earned by development,intheabsence ofring-fencingprovisions.

Further, Exxon is allowedtodeduct75percent of costs from Guyana’s earnings upfront to cover its expenseswhilethenewPSA would cap cost recovery at 65 percent of earnings annually.

While Government maintains that the ‘sanctity of contract’is the reason for not renegotiating the agreement, it must be noted thatthedealwasmodifiedin the past to make it pellucid that royalty would not be recoveredbytheoperator

Opposition Leader

Norton chides British Envoy over ‘ill-informed’ statements on voters’ List

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton on Tuesday

chided British High

Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller for comments she made regarding Guyana’s voters’list. At his weekly press conference, Norton described Miller’s statementsas“ill-informed”.

Online news entity Demerara Waves on November 12, 2022 quoted Miller saying that Guyana’s voters’ list is being updated and could be used to hold general elections with sufficientsafeguards.

“Anywhereintheworld, you got to make sure your voters’ list is regularly updated and that is what’s happening here so always the people who have died and people who moved out thecountryorwhatever,you need to make sure it’s regularly updated and that’s the most important thing,” theBritishEnvoysaid.

The British High

Commissioner said too that the real test is on E-day where voters are required to provide authentic identification.Shesaidsheis

“satisfied” and thinks that “mechanismsarethere.”

Asked whether she thought Guyana needed a brand new registration, Miller said she would be guidedbywhatshehasbeen told. “From what I have heard,Ithinkthelistisgood enough and I think we just need to make sure that there are those mechanisms in place to make sure it is regularly updated and verified.”

However, on Tuesday at his party’s weekly press conference Norton said,

“While we pursue good relations with all countries, we are committed to ensuring our decisions are made by the people of Guyana and therefore we abhor the attempt by any diplomattoimposetheirwill onthepeopleofGuyana.”

The Opposition Leader continued, “The Guyanese people have long concluded thatthepresentvoters’listis bloated and therefore we need no one to tell us that with safeguards, the list can beused.”

Nortontoldreportersthat

t h e B r i t i s h H i g h

Commissioner was informed about the state of the Voters’ List during a meeting between the Coalition APNU+AFC and theABCEcountries.

“It is interesting that the ABCEcountrieschosetobe briefed together, but the British High Commissioner chose to go it all alone in making her ill informed comments The High

Commissioner must be reminded that all the observers to the 2020 elections underscored the

High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller

needforacleanvoters’list,” hesaid.

Norton reminded that callshavebeenmadebythe Continuedonpage23

UK

Govt. MPpresents motion to counter consolidated PAC examination of the audit reports

AmovebythemembersofthePublic Accounts Committee (PAC) to collectively examine the findings of the Auditor General reports for the years, 2019 and 2020 is being opposed by the Government representatives of the Committee

The issue came up at the meeting of the PAC on Monday Chair of the PAC Jermaine Figueira explained that he received a letter from Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira, who emphasized the government’spositiontohavethereports separately.

Teixeira in her letter explained that since the period represents a time when the A Partnership for National Unity

+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government was regarded as a caretaker government

Teixeira said with the caretaker government in place, the budgetary allocationwerenotlegallyinplace

As such, she noted that it was pertinent for the reports on the expenditures to be examined properly However,inhisresponsetotheMinister, Figueirasaidthatthereasonsprofferedby theGovernmentdonotholdmeritandare seenasmerelypoliticalinnature.

InalettertotheMinister,Figueirasaid “…Thereasonsyouhavepositedforyour government’s side, why the merging of theyears2019and2020shouldbehalted are immaterial to the business and

concerns of the Public Accounts Committee”

He continued “ Your identification of the years 2019 and 2020 as years that require much greater scrutiny and time, suggestinsultingly,thattheworkdoneby the previous and present members, including yourself, on the years concluded,werenotgivensuchadegree of scrutiny and time that you now in a dictatorial fashion demand for these particular years to be treated differently.”

“…Your dictates on how the committee’sbusinessshouldbemanaged andthereasonsyouhaveprovidedarenot soundinlogicinrelationtothePAC’s

Continued on page 19

Chair of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira

Govt. Member of Parliament (MP), Sanjeev Datadin

Digicel Guyana “Pick and Win” launches with over $10M in cash and prizes promotion

Digicel Guyana launched its Christmas promotion called “PICK AND WIN” yesterday The

promotion is poised to provide handset sales and toy donations in an effort to putsmilesonthefacesofits

customers and children throughout the country this holiday season. The Digital Operator’s Christmas

promotion, “PICK and Win,”promises“moreprizes tobewon”throughengaging digital interactions with its

customers. The handset sale startsonNovember16,2022 and ends on December 31, 2022, while the PICKAND WIN promotion starts on November 16, 2022 and concludes on January 4, 2023.

So how can one qualify: Prepaid and Postpaid customers must be on a Prime Bundle to participate. Prepaid customers activatinganyPrimeBundle willearnaninstantchanceto PICKAND WIN a prize on the day of activation. Using the MyDigicel app, customercanthenselectone

ofthreeboxesforachanceto win digital prizes such as credit, data or a discount on their next Prime Bundle purchase. On Wednesdays, prepaid and postpaid customers on any Prime B u n d l e w i l l b e GUARANTEEDadigitalor non-digital prize once they participateinthePICKAND WIN offer in the MyDigicel app.Therangeofnon-digital prizes includes laptops, smartphones, tablets and cash prizes of $10,000 and $20,000.

Prepaidcustomers Continuedonpage23

The launch of the Pick and Win Promotion yesterday

Govt. MPpresents motion to counter consolidated PAC...

Frompage14

mandateand thereforecannot and must stop beentertained.”

The Chairman of the PAC said that he hopesthatthecommittee’sworkisallowedto continue unencumbered, without these machinations designed to stymie the committee’sprogressbecomingunnecessary

roadblocks. Notwithstanding this, at the meetingonMonday,GovernmentMemberof Parliament(MP),SanjeevDatadinpresented amotiontocountertheconsolidatedhearing ofthereports.

Inhismotion,Datadinchronicledsimilar sentimentsasTeixeira,emphasizingtheneed forthereportstobeexaminedseparately

The PAC Chair believes that the governmentisbentonstymieingtheworkof thePAC.AccordingtoFigueira,thePAChas never prevented or denied any member the opportunitytoaskanynumberofquestionsin theirscrutinyoftheAuditorGeneral’sreport findings.Henotedthereforethathefindsthe reasonforthemotionabsurd,ridiculousand

ofnorelevance.

He added: “If one is to have a casual glance of the 2021 report findings then they willappreciatewhatwehavebeensayingand willunderstandwhythegovernmentistaking this obstructionist approach to prevent the PACfromdoingitsworkwiththetyrannyof theironeseatmajority.”

Emergency Medical Service launched in Reg. 5

- $28.7M fire station commissioned

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn (Centre), National Emergency Medical Director Dr. Zulfikar Bux (Right) and Chief Fire Officer Mr. Gregory Wickham (Left) poses with the Region 5 EMS Team.

emergency medical care, assist with the timely responders. “It is critically completedin2019wasnever whether it has to do with a responsetoemergencies. important to save lives, to commissioned However, heart attack, an accident or Meanwhile, Minister of reduce harm, to reduce the fire service had moved injuries sustained from a Home Affairs, Hon injury,topreservelife;thatis over to the new building in violent attack that requires Robeson Benn who also the particular responsibility 2020, and had been utilizing emergency care ” It is attended the launching and and mission ” Minister itsincethen.TheFireStation e s i d e n t s o f

New Fire Station at Onverwaagt

Since its commencement available, just by simply commissioning ceremony, Bennsaid.

RRegion 5 can as a pilot service in 2016, dialing the emergency 912 noted that it is critical for The new Onverwagt Fire DoodnauthConstruction.

was constructed by

now access and EMS has evolved over the number Trained paramedics services such as the EMS to Station constructed at a cost Also in attendance were benefit from quality years, providing a full range are standing by to be be expanded. He reasoned of $28,723,186M, was also the Regional Chairman of Emergency Medical Service of services to the people of immediately dispatched to that with many reports of officially commissioned by Region 5 Vickchand (EMS) with the official Region 5, with over 27,000 the scene of any emergency road traffic accidents etc, Minister Benn, with the R a m p h a l , R e g i o n a l launch of that service on medical emergencies within the region to render there must be properly unveilingoftheplaqueanda Commander Kurleigh

Monday November 14, handled Emergencies assistance. trained personnel to simple ribbon cutting SimonandChiefFireOfficer 2022.

ranging from road accidents, The Region 5 EMS team competently respond to ceremony Gregory Wickham among Speakingatthelaunchof home emergencies and the also has a new ambulance to incidents at the level of first The building which was otherdignitaries. the EMS in Region 5 and the delivery of babies will be commissioning of the handledintheregion. Onverwaagt Fire Station, Dr Bux said that there was National Emergency have been 27 deliveries by Medical Director Dr EMS to date, and while it is ZulfikarBuxwhosaid,“This stillanewservice,itrequires is the first time in the history much coordination behind ofGuyanathatsuchaservice the scenes, ”to ensure that will be made available to the when members of the public publicoutsideofRegion4.” who need access to

Kaneville man found murdered at Sand Hill Backdam

-Girlfriend’sfiancéontherun

Police believe that sleeping with another man’s fiancé might have resulted in the death of a Kaneville East Bank Demerara(EBD)man,whowasonMondayfoundmurdered atSandHillBackdam,RegionSeven.

Dead is Ravindra Alfred, a 37-year-old miner, of First Street Kaneville, Squatting Area, EBD. Alfred’s chopped body was reportedly found around 09:00 hrs by other miners inthearea.

Detectives identified the prime suspect as a 27-year-old Venezuelan man of Barinas, Venezuela. Alfred and the suspect, according to police, were associates and worked closetoeachotheratSandHillBackdam.

However,apparentlyAlfredhadstartedsleepingwiththe man’s fiancé (a Venezuelan woman) and police believe that thismightbethemotivebehindhisbrutalmurder

Alfred’s mother told police that the suspect’s fiancé visitedtheircampatSandHillonSundaymorning. Theyhad breakfast together, and when they were finished eating, Alfredandthewomanleftthecampheadingforthebackdam.

His mother told police that hours had passed and Alfred never returned. The following day, she became worried and went in search of him, and was told that some miners had foundhersondeadaround09:00hrsthatmorning.

She reported the matter to police via a phone call, and ranksweresentinfromtheBarticaPoliceStation.

Crime scene experts reported that Alfred’s body bore a laceration to his left hand, a gaping wound to the left side of theheadandtwochopwoundsacrosshisface.

Police have tried to locate the suspect and the woman Alfred had left his camp with on Sunday, but they could not befound.

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

Live in family, husbanddriving/ mechanic, wifesales person. Free living quarters. Call: 672-1703, 227-1813.

Temporary caretaker/ domestic helper needed in Georgetown. Call: 706-0654.

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

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

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

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

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

Servicemen for Interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 615-0545 or 231-2250.

Carwash workers to work at Romain carwash & detail center. Call: 643-3939.

Experienced cashiers, security officers and plumbers. Contact the HR department of Ramada Georgetown Princess hotel on Tele # 265-7001, ext 205/127.

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

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

Labour Ministry awards $2M contract before tender board open the bids

The Ministry of Labour in 2021 awarded two contracts totalling $1.995 million to conduct vehicular repairs, before bids for the same project were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

This incident was flagged by the Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma in his 2021 report.

He explained that upon examining the payment vouchers and other related documents for vehicle spares and services, it was revealed that the two contracts were awarded to a contractor for repairs to the Ministry’s vehicle.

However, the documents presented for audit revealed that in both instances, the tender board opening and approval documents were dated after the Contract Agreements were signed and dated.

Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton

Additionally, the Audit Office said the bills attached to the two Payment Vouchers were dated between June to September 2021, while the contracts were dated 13 September and 12 October 2021 respectively.

In response to the AG’s

finding, the Ministry explained that emergency repairs were required for the vehicles, since at the time, there was a shortage of vehicles. It also assured that the office has taken steps to prevent the recurrence of this situation.

The Audit Office therefore recommended that the Head of the Budget Agency ensure that there is strict adherence to the relevant tender board procedures, for the awarding of contracts.

On the other hand, the report outlined that the sum of $39.538 million was budgeted to conduct maintenance works for the year 2021, but an allotment transfer totalling $4M was made, taking the revised budgetary allocation to $43.538M.

According to the Appropriation Account, the sum of $33.460M was

expended as at 31 December 2021, resulting in an unspent amount of $10.078M, the AG report noted.

In response, the Ministry indicated that it had planned to conduct some construction works to facilitate repairs but did not have sufficient funds under the line item; hence a virement was done for the $4M. It went on to explain that it was later discovered via “repeated assessments” that the extent of the project would have classified it as capital instead of maintenance/ recurrent and this resulted in time delays and the funds not being spent.

The Audit Office recommended that the Head of the Budget Agency ensure that there is proper planning and execution of its budgeted programmes, so as to avoid huge balances remaining unexpended at the end of the financial year.

Pres. Ali pledges to crush racism, discrimination during term in office

President Irfaan Ali and church leaders

President Irfaan Ali has pledged to dismantle every single door of racism and discrimination in Guyana during his tenure in office.

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He told dozens of Christian leaders (both locally based and members of the diaspora) that the church is an important partner in achieving national unity. The President made the assertions this afternoon at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and said that under the banner of ‘One Guyana’, the country can truly be transformed. “There is a great opportunity for us to fuse ourselves together.” The Head of State noted that the Government and the Church have interconnecting roles to play in the development of Guyana. ”I see the church as fundamental to the development and advancement of our country.”

Guyanese to lead meaningful lives. “Today, I am very pleased to be here and to say to you that this should be the beginning of a system of interaction and communication to create a pathway.”

He said that Guyanese want to live in harmony and in peace and highlighted that in every single community across the country, there is a desire to achieve national

unity. Pastor Ejaz Nabie explained that the aim of the meeting was to discuss the President’s vision for ‘One Guyana’ and unity with a specific focus on the role of the church in addressing racism, reconciliation and nation building.

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The ‘One Guyana’ initiative, according to President Ali, extends beyond healing and unity to ensuring that the well-being of every single individual is taken care of. This, he explained, will allow all A bandit on Saturday, made it easier for the police to catch him, after he dropped his cell phone while escaping from a robbery, at Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Police were able to unlock the phone and find his photos stored inside the gallery.

After a fruitful discussion, the religious leaders commended President Ali’s vision of the ‘One Guyana’ initiative while

acknowledging the importance of today’s dialogue. They also pledged their collective commitment to do their part in promoting unity. The Minister of Public Works, the Honourable Bishop Juan Edghill and the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Honourable Oneidge Walrond were also at the meeting. (Office of the President)

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Cops identify bandit’s photo in cellphone dropped after robbery

customers.

Security cameras mounted on nearby buildings showed that a dark coloured car had pulled up in front of the shop, and the two suspects exited and ran into the business place.

phone fell.

The suspected bandit and an accomplice armed with knives, had stormed into a shop at Hope West during the early evening hours, and pounced on two

They reportedly attacked the two men and relieved them of the little cash they had, a cellphone and other personal belongings. One of the victims was wounded in the process.

While the bandits were making their escape, a cell

According to reports, the bandits did not bother to stop and ran towards their getaway car and escaped. The dropped phone was retrieved by the shop owners. It did not belong to the customers who were robbed. They soon realized that the phone belonged to one of the bandits.

It was handed over to police and detectives were able to find photos of the suspect inside.

Police on the East Coast Demerara are on the lookout for the suspects.

CourtordersreleaseofPanamanian vesselwhichslammedintoHarbourBridge

HighCourtJudge,Fidela Tradewind Passion vessel damages and that there has Corbin-Lincoln has ordered which slammed into the been no compensation the release of the structure causing over $1B despite several oral requests Panamanian vessel that worthindamages. demanding payment of the slammed into the Demerara The Panamanian sum. Harbour Bridge (DHB) on companyinturnhasfiledan Assuch,theCorporation October8,2022. action calling the detention is claiming $1B for special

The vessel was detained of the vessel unlawful as it damages and $50M in after the collision caused was done without or in damages for negligence extensive damage to critical excess of jurisdiction, sincethemasterofthevessel components of the DHB, without reasonable grounds, owned by the Panamanian which not only left it and not in compliance with company was negligent and inoperable but resulted in statutesandtheConstitution failed to exercise the thousandsofpassengersand ofGuyana. relevant international safety tons of agricultural produce On November 11, 2022, conventionsforsafetyatsea. strandedonbothsidesofthe theHighCourtruledthatthe The DHBC through its DemeraraRiver Canama Trading S De RL attorney Sanjeev Datadin

Whilerepairswerebeing Company is entitled to explained said that the carried out on the bridge constitute a limitation fund vessel’s master was which was reopened on under Section 414 (1) of the negligent since he failed to October 10, 2022, water Shipping Act by paying or sail at a safe speed; failed to taxiswhichnormallyoperate lodging with the Court, as report difficulties being for12hourswereallowedto security,$245,567,288.01in e n c o u n t e r e d u p o n workfor24hours. keepingwithanagreementit approaching the bridge; and The Demerara Harbour haswiththeDHBC. failedtousereasonablecare BridgeCorporation(DHBC) According to the and skill in its operation so hasfiledalawsuitagainstthe Statement of Claim (SoC) that the fuel tanker could Panamanian company filed at the High Court, the veer away from, thereby Canama Trading S De RL DHBCsaidthatthecollision avoiding collision with the vessel which owns the MT caused $1B and counting in bridge.

Row over ‘bush weed’ leaves man dead

Body of man found at Anna Catherina Seawall

occurred. According to the Tuesday admitted to police Police Report, Underwood that he had killed his reportedly punched the drinking partner at Police suspect and a fight ensued. Corner, La Parfaite During the fight, suspect Harmonie, West Bank allegedly whipped out a Demerara(WBD),duringan knife from his pants waist argument over “bush weed” and stabbed Underwood to (acheapkindofmarijuana). hisabdomen.

A 29-year-old man on

of East Indian descent.

Police reported that the ranks arrived at the scene Itborenomarksofviolence. discovery was made around around17:00hrs. The body was taken to 16:40hrs.

T h e p a r t i a l l y the Ezekiel Funeral Home, Ranks at the Leonora decomposed body, which awaitingidentification.

Dead is Sherwayne

The injured man Underwood, 32, of La reportedly, ran a short ParfaiteHarmonie,WBD. distance away before

The suspect told police collapsing. He was assisted that at around 03:00h, he byeyewitnesseswhorushed stabbed Underwood with a him to the West Demerara knife during an argument Regional Hospital for suspect reportedly accused over“bushweed”. medical attention. He died himofsmoking“bushweed”

Investigators were told whilereceivingtreatment. and not marijuana that Underwood began

The suspect was Underwood was reportedly smoking marijuana during subsequently arrested annoyed by the suspect’s the drinking spree and the Investigationsareongoing. statements and an argument

Digicel Guyana launches “Pick and Win” promotion...

Frompage18 hundred thousand dollars. MORE to its customers! activatingaPrimeBundleor GrandPrizedrawingwillbe Digicel would like to thank Postpaid customers paying heldonJanuary5th2023. its customers for their theirbillsinfullandontime In addition, Digicel is support throughout the year will be entered into a grand offering up to 50% off on and wish their family and prize drawing to win one of selected handsets for the lovedonesahappyholiday.” three fantastic prizes. For Christmas season Digicel Group is a total Prepaid customers, every Customers can choose from communications and dayonaPrimeBundleearns Samsung A037 for only entertainment provider with you an entry into the grand $31,000 and Logic L63 for operations in 31 markets prize draw Postpaid just $15000 These throughout the Caribbean, customers, once their bills affordable handsets will Central America and Asia are paid on time and in full, allow customers to give that Pacific. Digicel also runs a will earn 30 entries into the perfectgifttolovedonesand host of community based grandprizedraw Customers keep connected during the initiativesacrossitsmarkets, cankeeptrackoftheirentries holidayseason. including Digicel by dialing *122*4# Five And that’s not all; with Foundations in Haiti, hundred thousand dollars the purchase of one of these Jamaica,PapuaNewGuinea will be awarded to the first- handsets, you will receive a and Trinidad and Tobago place winner, three hundred FREEmonthlyprimebundle which focus on educational, thousand dollars will be thatgivesyou30entriesinto cultural and social awardedtothesecond-place the grand prize draw on developmentprograms.Visit winner, and the third-place January5th.ThisChristmas, www.digicelgroup.com for winner will receive two Digicel is definitely giving moreinformation.

NortonchidesBritishEnvoyover‘ill-informed’statements...

Frompage13

electoral fraud, as perpetrate a fraud on the Opposition “for biometrics demonstrated during the Guyanese people and at the place of poll.” He publicisednationalrecount,” undermine our democratic called on the British High apressreleasefromtheParty system.” Commissioner to state stated.

The AFC said it has whether the safeguards she Boththegovernmentand alreadycalledontheGuyana referred to include the Guyana Elections Elections Commission biometrics at the place of Commission (GECOM) (GECOM) to produce a poll. have rebuffed calls for a credible voters’ list by

“We reiterate our clean voters’ list before the conducting a certifiable position that we will hostingofLGE. house-to-house verification continue to struggle for a The AFC said that the andregistrationprocess. clean voters’ list since current list prima facie “Accordingly, we would credible elections demand a contains the names of the go as far as supporting the crediblelist,”hedeclared. deceased, migrated and postponementoftheLGEas

The Opposition has duplicates. wasdonein1992topresenta repeatedly questioned the “It is manifest that our “clean” voters’ list to the integrity of the Voters’ List electoral system is far from electorate” the press release whileraisingconcernsabout perfect, but we must not said while adding that the the holding of future wilfully perpetuate a party has indicated its elections with the existing deception on the people of acceptance of the use of list.

Guyana. biometrics and electronic

On Sunday, the National During the national equipment to enhance Executive Committee election in 2020, there were citizens’votingexperience. (NEC) of the Alliance For multiple instances where Further, the part noted Change (AFC) announced dead people, the migrated, that the aforementioned thatthepartywillnotcontest and a host of other measures will reduce the the Local Government shenanigans interfered with p r o p e n s i t y f o r Elections (LGE) slated for the electoral process. We impersonation. March 13, 2023 unless the shouldnotgothereagain!” “The people of Guyana current voters’ list is The Party said that its havearighttofeelconfident sanitised.

NEC believes that in its electoral system, like

“TheAFChasconcluded participating in the the voting public in the that no election should be upcoming elections with “a United Kingdom or held on the existing list of list proven deficient and elsewhere, without electorsbecauseitisbloated, containing widespread unnecessary workarounds,” illegitimate and a source of discrepancies would thepartyconcluded.

The body of an PoliceStationhadreceiveda wascladinagreenshirtanda unidentified man was on call around that time pair of short pants, was Tuesdayfoundfloatingsome informing them about a retrieved from the water by 20 feet away from theAnna f l o a t i n g c o r p s e the police and crime scene Catherina Seawall, West Investigatorsweresenttothe expertssaidthemanappears CoastDemerara(WCD). locationimmediatelyandthe to be

Dead: Sherwayne Underwood.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge after it was slammed on October 8, 2022.

Drunk driver flips car after hitting man, 60

Adrunk driver on Monday lost controlofhiscar

causing him to flip it into a building along the Ogle East Coast Demerara (ECD) Public Road,afterhittinga60-year oldpedestrian.

Police identified the pedestrian as Harrylall Boodram of Lusignan Area ‘B’,GrassField,ECD.

According to police, driver lost control of the to his body and head. An Unit(ICU). Boodram was struck down vehicle and slammed into ambulance was called and Back at the scene, police around16:50hrs. Boodram who was standing the emergency medical team detainedthedriverofthecar Investigators reported on the parapet. The impact onboardpickedhimupinan HewastakentoSparendaam that a speeding car driven by reportedly flung Boodram unconscious state and Police Station and a a 38 year old man of severalfeetaway,andthecar r u s h e d h i m t o t h e breathalyzer test conducted Industry Crown Dam, ECD ended up flipping into a Georgetown Public Hospital him showed that he had .118 was traveling west along the nearbybuilding. Corporation(GPHC). and 117, breath alcohol southern carriageway of the According to police, He was admitted and content, a level that is way Ogle Public Road, when the Boodram received injuries placed in the Intensive Care abovethelegallimit.

Man missing after plunging into Demerara River, running from cops

A

55 year old

man on Monday went missing

after he plunged intototheDemeraraRiverat Grove Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara (EBD) to evade cops he thought wanted to arresthim.

The missing man has been identified as Mohan MahadeoofGrove,EBDand according to his relatives, he jumped overboard at around 10:00hrswhilerunningaway fromthelawmen.

Mahadeo’s niece-in-law (name provided) told Kaieteur News that he works atherhusband’ssupermarket located at Grove, EBD and was sitting outside of the business place when the policearrived.

“He was smoking up and relatives that Mahadeo was de start cussing up and suh seen swimming while and behaving disorderly so another said the man the police just come over fuh appeared to be panting for tell he calm down but he breath as he attempted to thinkdemdewantlockheup returntoshore.

so he run away,” the woman Mahadeo’s relatives said recounted. thattheywaitedforhisreturn

Mahadeo reportedly ran but when he failed to showtowards the Grove Sea Dam upathomethatevening,they and his actions prompted the became worried and decided police to follow him there. tolookforhim.

Kaieteur News understands Their search was that when Mahadeo saw the unsuccessful prompting police following him, he them to file a missing decided that the best way to person’sreport.

avoid being arrested was to Mahadeo’s relatives fear plunge into the Demerara for the worse but remain River hopeful that he will return Police reportedly left the home. area after Mahadeo plunged Anyone knowing the intotheriver whereabouts of Mahadeo is Meanwhile, the man’s asked to contact his relatives niece-in-law said that one on telephone numbers, 626eyewitness informed 4237or265-3304.

The flipped car that struck down the pedestrian on Monday.

Missing: Mohan Mahadeo

Police Force to embark on 24-hour patrols during...

From page 6 country. Blanhum said there will be an increase in the deployment of uniformed and plain clothes ranks throughout the Christmas season.

Meanwhile, Traffic Chief Superintendent Dennis Stephen disclosed, during the unveiling of the Force’s Christmas policing plan, that the traffic ranks will also be working 24 hours but will be assigned day and night shifts in an attempt to minimize traffic accidents and congestions.

Stephen disclosed that in order to achieve his Department’s goals, there will be 24-hour vehicular patrols while foot patrols will be on a 12-hour basis with a four-hour shift system. Collaboration with the Force’s Corporate Communication Unit (CCU) will also be done in a bid to

educate road users through the electronic and printed media.

The Traffic Chief revealed that between January 1, 2022 and November 14, 2022, there has been 4 percent increase in road accidents and a 5 percent increase in road fatalities.

He said that 83 fatal accidents have been recorded so far this year in comparison to 80 last year for the same period. The number of deaths recorded this year stands at 90 in comparison to 86 recorded in 2021.

The number of fatal accidents involving males in 2021 was 71 and in 2022, the number stepped up to 74, and the number of females in 2021 was 15 and while this year, the number increased to 16.

Meanwhile, the number of children involved in fatal accidents this year increased to

6 as compared to 3 reported for 2021.

Stephen said that there were 42,194 traffic cases recorded this year. He noted that 256 warrants were executed which resulted in fines amounting to $2,976,445.

The Traffic Chief via a map-graph detailed how the Force intends to regulate its units. He said Georgetown has been divided into five sectors where attention would be placed for continuous police patrol and some streets will be blocked to pedestrians only.

“We are looking at Robb Street, no entry for vehicular traffic, going east between Alexander and Bourda Streets. That’s for pedestrian only; no vehicle is allowed to proceed there. We are also looking at Bourda Street, no entry for vehicular traffic, be-

tween Regent and North Road,” he explained.

The Traffic Chief said that traffic ranks will be dispersed throughout the country at key locations within commercial districts in Georgetown, Vreed-en-Hoop, Parika, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Bartica and Anna Regina.

DCB to host...

From page 32 Phillips, Carlos Clark, Corey Charles, Vikram Persaud and Shaukel Fiedtkou.

The Georgetown Team reads: Emmanuel Lewis (Captain), Darwin Larose (Vicecaptain), Reyaz Latif, Lomar Seecharran, Brandon Henry, Trilok Nanan, Ravin Singh, Julian Craig, Kadeem, Anel Haimnarine, Joshua Charles, Sameer Bhola, Samuel Barkoye and Shane Sivbarran. Reserves are Yusuf Hack, Fazal Samad, Thierry Davis, Ravindra Singh and Vikash Roopnarine. Coach Quasen Nedd and Manager Shaun Massiah.

Wednesday November 16, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Consider whether or not you're spending enough time with everyone who's special to you, Aries. If more hours are going to work colleagues, friends, or partner, there might be an imbalance that you need to look at.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

If your partner acts quickly on his or her passions today, Taurus, you will probably want to slow things down a bit. "Nice and easy" is the phrase of the day for you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Consider planning a romantic interlude, Gemini. With the influence from today's planetary aspects, it will be easy to connect with that special someone.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

If someone takes too long to do something today, your temper may flare up. Patience isn't always your strong suit, and you may believe in the "if you want it done right, do it yourself" philosophy. This isn't always fair.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

You might find it rather tough to take criticism today, Leo. This is something that's hard for many to hear, but it truly depends on your perspective. Rather than view it as a personal attack, try to see the value in the criticism.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Be careful not to fall prey to your own idealism today. While this is one of your most admirable qualities, as it contributes to your romantic, creative nature, too much of anything can be harmful.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't be surprised if you feel a real need for some breathing room today, Libra. As much as you enjoy the company of others, you need to have time to yourself as well.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) If things haven't been going too well with those you spend most of your time with, it might be time to consider your expectations of them. Ask what kinds of demands you place on others and if they're fair.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21) A little romantic time with your special someone may be in order today, Sagittarius. With the day-to-day chaos of working and living, it can be tough to get some quality time alone.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Take it slow and easy today. With the energy from the day's aspects, rushing around isn't likely to get you too far. In fact, you're more apt to make mistakes or leave a bunch of things unfinished.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

It may be time to look at where you are in life, Aquarius. Are you where you thought you'd be? If so, congratulations. This is a real accomplishment. If not, take heart.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

If you're feeling irritable and wrung out today, Pisces, it may be a result of putting far too much pressure on yourself. It might be wise to take a look at the expectations you have of yourself.

West Demerara Cricket Association Under15 team will be announced later.

In the first round matches East Coast will face off with Upper Demerara, while West Demerara will battle against East Bank. All matches will start at 9:00 hrs daily.

Rockaway Group of Companies,...

From page 30 Commander Paresram, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to be apart of such a sponsorship and encouraged the players with some words of wisdom and wished the team many successes in the tournament.

Munesh Outar on behalf of the players thanked the sponsors and promised their best efforts on and off the field.

The President and Executive of the East Coast Cricket Board would like to thank the sponsors for their collective effort, generosity and continued commitment and support.

‘Radical’ Kristian creates...

From page 31 fourth place. Second place went to Suleman Esuf (11:22.189), also of Barbados; Boodoosingh was third (11:28.454).

In the second Radical race, Jeffery had an improved performance, but his third-place finish (14:03.873) saw him coming behind Esuf (14:03.311) and Mark Maloney (14:00.658).

With the bonus point for the fastest lap – a time of one minute 16.413s (1:16.413), which now stands as the Radical Caribbean Cup Race Lap Record for the new circuitBoodoosingh extended his advantage to 19 points, with 50 still on the table.

The Radicals were the most-talked-about event, and Jeffery ensured that he gave the fans a show in the final race of the series.

While some drivers elected not to run as daylight was fading, the two Kristians were pumped and ready, with all to play for in the season’s final eight laps.

Spurred on by his home crowd, Jeffrey charged straight into the lead, knowing victory would secure the title, whatever happened to Boodoosingh, who ran in third place throughout.

Jamaica’s Senna Summerbell (12:24.309) had rocketed up to second by the end of the first lap and drove a brilliant race to finish less than a second behind Jeffrey (12:23.382).

Summerbell was disqualified for missing the weigh station after the race, as was Vieira, who had finished third.

So 18 points for second place left Boodoosingh (12:24.671) a tantalising five points shy of Jeffrey at yearend. At the same time, Justin Maloney finished his impressive season with third place, not quite enough to prevent Guyana from winning the Nations Cup by just a single point.

Athanaze, James top Zones’ batting and...

From page 33

complete the top five highest centurion club, Athanaze, Hurricanes have exited the performances go, Alick scorers list are Pride’s Shai Hodge (106*) and Carty tournament, opportunities Athanaze of Windward Hope (287), Volcanoes’ (103") are the only batsmen now lie ahead for Bulli and Islands is the leading run Kaveem Hodge (261), withmembership Motie, the closet players to scorer with 292 run from six Scorpions’ Brandon King I n t h e b o w l i n g overtakeJames’total. innings. He has also pegged (261) and Harpy Eagles’ department, Hurricanes’ Meanwhile, Romario thehighestindividualtotalof Tevin Imlach (248), in that Kofi James has been the Shepherd, Hodge, Shannon 140 with an average of order most effective with the ball Gabriel, Yannic Cariah and 48.66. Sunil Ambris (236), after snagging 14 wickets in Nicholson Gordon all have

The other batsmen that Keacy Carty (234), fiveinnings. ten wickets each, while Nicholas Pooran (223), Dennis Bulli occupies Justin Greaves, Akeal Rovman Powell (216) and thesecondplacespotwith12 Hosein and Jeavor Royal are Jahmar Hamilton (214) are wickets from four innings alltiedonninewicketseach. the next five highest while Guyana’s Gudakesh The finale is scheduled scorers, all of whom have Motie is third with 11 for Saturday, November 19, played six innings each wickets. at the Sir Vivian Richards However, in the season’s H o w e v e r , s i n c e Stadium.

Wakenaam Strikers win Seeraj Bhimsain U-19 40-over tourney

Wakenaam Strikers stand. Henry looked solid as defeated Wakenaam Royals he hit four fours, but was two games to one to win the taken off medium pacer Wa k e n a a m C r i c k e t Tomesh Persaud for 23 Committee Seeraj Bhimsain Evans was not afraid to play U19 40 over competition his shots and slammed six which concluded recently at fours and one six before he the Wakenaam Community was bowled by Golcharran Centreground. Chulaifor40.

Gladewin Henry collects his trophy from Khemraj Surujpaul.

Wakenaam Royals won Wakenaam Royals the final game of the three- eventually made 152 all out match series by five runs. in28overs.Chulaipickedup Batting first, Wakenaam 4-20,LallandAarvaSukram Royals lost opener Justin hadtwoeach. Dowlin (01) lbw to Ravy Wakenaam Strikers were back.Sukramcontributed11 five wickets was the MVP Nandalall before Gladewin given a decent start by as Wakenaam Strikers were and best batsman in the Henry Jr and Shahid Nandalall and Persaud, but bowled out for 147 in 26.1 competition while Chulai Mohamed steadied the Evans handed his team the overs.Poorancaptured3-21, with nine scalps was the best i n n i n g s s o m e w h a t ; breakthrough when he Evanshad2-24andHenry2- bowler Mohamed was caught off bowled Nandalall for 14 steadied the chase fairly as Tikeshwar Nankoo for 30, 28. Players from both teams W C C C h a i r m a n leg-spinner Bomesh Lall for with two fours while Pooran they rotated the strike well. while Pooran had Chulai received medals and both K h e m r a j S u r u j p a u l 12. Henry and Trivel Evans uprooted the stumps of Persaud

four’s

Henry with 126 runs and thankedthesponsors. they shared in a third-wicket Persaud and Chulai

38 with four fours teamstookhometrophies. congratulated the teams and continued to gather runs as NazamMohamedforthree. before he was

struck three

caught for

bowled by as Wakenaam Royals fought

Golcharran Chulai accepts his prize from boxer Elton Dharry.

Rockaway Group of Companies, Sunita Travel Service and Commander ‘C’ Division Kaliram Paresram outfits East Coast U-15 team

The Rockaway Group of At the GCB LBI Cricket Companies in collaboration Facility a simple handing with Sunita Travel Service over ceremony was held in out of New York and the the presence of players and Commander of ‘C’Division, management of the East Kaliram Paresram have Coastteams,Mr HafeezAli, come together on board with who is the CEO of the theEastCoastCricketBoard Rockaway Group and a and have outfitted the East staunch supporter of Cricket CoastUnder-15Teamforthe ontheEastCoast,wishedthe upcoming Demerara Cricket team well and urged the Board Under 15 Inter players present to wear the Association Tournament uniform proudly and which is scheduled to begin representtheteamtothebest on Friday November 18, oftheirabilities. 2022.

(Continued on page 27)

Hafeez Ali (left), CEO of the Rockaway Group and Commander of ‘C’ Division, Kaliram Paresram, hands over the uniforms.

Some of the players and team management display the uniforms.

‘Radical’ Kristian creates history!

- Jeffrey becomes first Guyanese to win Radical Caribbean Cup

Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey, who was the last Jeffrey became the first Guyanese to be crowned Guyanese to win the Radical Caribbean Champion in Caribbean Cup title after Group4,hadwonfourofthe clinching the title on Sunday nine races earlier in the by a margin of just five season, with two further points, with what he later p o d i u m s , w h i l e described as a “do or die Boodoosinghhadneverbeen effort”, winning the final off the podium, scoring race of the season on the maximum points three times SouthDakotaCircuit. inOctober

And there was a double AbattleoftheTitanswas celebration for the ecstatic in prospect with the added homecrowd,asGuyanawon spice of the extended layout the inaugural Nations Cup, at South Dakota up from with Jeffery (11:35 837) despite Barbadian brothers 0.78to1.6miles,beingraced finishing14.196sadriftin Stuart and Mark Maloney onforthefirsttime. (Continued on page 25) closing the gap to a single The weather played its point with victories in the part at the South Dakota day’sfirsttworaces. Circuit, but the Radical

Heading into the final drivers brought the heat, round, Jeffrey was 15 points much to the delight of the behind his year-long rival patrons that flooded the Kristian Boodoosingh of upgradedracingfacility Trinidad&Tobago,whohad In the first of three wrested the lead from the Radical races, Barbados’ Guyanese’s grasp last month Stuart Maloney took the on his home turf at chequered flag in the eightWallerfield International lap race in 11 minutes, Raceway 21.641 seconds (11:21.641),

GMR&SC president, Mahendra Boodhoo, with Guyana’s first claim to the Radical Caribbean Cup country championship.

DCB to host U-15 Inter Association tournament for early preparation of their county team

Adrian Kissoon, Nicholas Simon and Devendra Ramkarran. Reserves are

The Demerara Cricket tournament earlier than Alvin Rampersaud, Deshon Board will be hosting their expected. This tournament Stephens, Jayden Khargu Under15 Inter Associations will commence on Friday and Hemant Prasad. Coach November 18 and is LatchmanYadram and expected to conclude on managerRichardAlbert.

Friday November 25, 2022

The East Bank Team at venues across Demerara. reads: Roupie Rajaram Reason for an early start this ( C a p t a i n ) , D i l s h a n year is because of the Latchman, Alex Persaud, preparation plans the DCB Alex Singh, Dinesh has in store for their county Sheumber, Navindra Singh, teamsfor2023season. Ganesh Appanah, Devendra

After this tournament is Mohamed, Keshan Singh, concludedtheDCBselectors Tunil Suraj, Mahindra will be selecting a squad to Bankay, John Springer, commence training which Jeremiah Downer and will lead right into the GCB Kristan Brown Reserves under15InterCounty2023. are Jaden Benjamin and The teams in this Jordan Benjamin Coach tournamentarelistedbelow: Daniel Barker and The East Coast team ManagerFazalIshak. reads: Mickel Sharma

The Upper Demerara (Captain), Munesh Outar, Team reads: Dishon Ashby, Gopaul Ramcharran, Ravin Jonathan Hall, Joseph Hall, Persaud, Udesh Jaikaran, Rapheal Tappin, Tristan KyleGibson(Vice-captain), Peter’s,ChristopheHayman, Eric Phillips, Navin Narine, Taefarie Fredericks, Joshu Ruel Dindyal, Narindra Dash,SelwynSmith,Keon Isurdeen, Amit Shiwadansa, (Continued on page 27)

One Guyana President’s Cup...

From page 33 REGION 2 thepenaltymarktoseparate At the Ann Regina themselves from Central Multilateral School Ground New Amsterdam With in Region 2, Queenstown scores tied one goal apiece hammered Suddie 7 – 0, attheendofregulationtime, thanks to a hat-trick from Lower Corentyne prevailed AvinashRamanan. 5-4whentheywentdownto Ramanan netted his thedecidingformat. goals in the 60th, 63rd and North New Amsterdam 8 5 t h m i n u t e f o r a n d C a n j e h a d a n Queenstown, which also entertaining encounter as had goals from Mario bothteamsnettedfourtimes Walcott (40’, 42’), Rodley toforceanail-bitingclimax. Carter(75’)andJames(89’) From the penalty mark, to advance. The one-of-aNorth New Amsterdam kind tournament will wouldadvance4-2. feature two stages. First, 16

REGION 5 inter-ward teams in each Rosignol and Paradise administrative region of took care of business at the Guyana will compete for Rosignol Community tophonours.

Centre Ground to advance The second stage will to the next round of see a 25 man squad competition. comprising the best players

Paradise had the better of each of the 10 Regions of Number 28 Village 4-0, selectedforagrandbattleto a n d R o s i g n o l s e n t decidethevictorsoftheOne Monedderlust marching Guyana President’s Cup on fromthepenaltyspot. January1,2023.

Emmanuel Lewis Mickel Sharma

Roupie Rajaram

One Guyana President’s Cup moves to West Demerara, Georgetown today

Players from Communities in Georgetown and West Demerara will be in action on today as the Inter-Ward fraction of the inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup footballtournamentcontinues.

The knock-out format tournament that kicked off Sunday is the brainchild of President IrfaanAli and is being coordinated bytheGuyanaFootballFederation(GFF).

At the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, from 18:00 hrs, South/North Sophia will come up against the combined communities of Grove, Samatta Point andDiamond.

In the night’s second match, at 20:00 hrs, Albouystown/West Ruimveldt is set to collide with East Coast Demerara combinedMelanie/GoldenGroveunit.

Meanwhile, only one match is scheduled School ground, Blueberry Hill became the fortheWestDemerarazone,whereBellWest first team to exit the tournament, thanks to andParikaaredowntoplayat19:00hrsatthe Block22,3-4onkicksfromthepenaltymark. Leonora-based National Track and Field The two sides had ended regulation time 1 –Centre. 1.

2022/23 CG Insurance Super50 Cup… Athanaze, James top Zones’ batting and bowling lists

- Imlach, Motie and Shepherd among top performers

F o l l o w i n g t h e conclusion of the Group stage of the CG Insurance Super50 Cup on Monday, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados are billed to compete in the semifinals to see who advances to the 2022/23 finale.

The winner of that game will play Den

REGION 6 AmstelonSunday

The Scotts School Ground in New The tournament’s opening day saw Amsterdam hosted an exciting double matchesplayedinRegions2,5,6and10. header Both games went beyond regular REGION 10 time.LowerCorentyneneededkicksfrom In Linden, at the Wisburg Secondary (Continued on page 32)

Today, T&T Red Force face Barbados Pride, while Guyana Harpy Eagles take on the Jamaica Scorpions, tomorrow, November 16 Windward Island losses and a no result Both matches will be Volcanoeswerethirdwith12 Leeward Islands Hurricanes contested at the Sir Vivian points after winning three also had 14 points at the end Richards Stadium in matches and losing the same of the Zone but an inferior Antigua. amount, while Combined net run rate (NRR) caused When the Group stage Campuses and Colleges them to miss the opportunity completed, Red Force (CCC) had a tough toadvance. finished on top of Zone A tournament with five losses They had three wins, two with 18 points, which they andanoresult,toendontwo losses and a no result while accumulatedfrom four wins, points. the fourth place finisher, a loss and a no result, in the In Zone B, Jamaica won West Indies Academy, won six matches they’ve played. with16pointswithfourwins once and lost five times to Guyana finished second on and two losses while finishonfourpoints. 16 points from four wins and Barbadoscamesecondon14 Asfarasindividual twolosses. points with three wins, two (Continued on page 28)

The One Guyana President’s Cup trophy that is up for grabs at this year’s inaugural tournament. The trophy was done and donated by the Brass Aluminium and Cast Iron Foundry Ltd.

Tevin Imlach

Gudakesh Motie

Kristian Jeffrey blazing the South Dakota Circuit during his championship run in the Radical Caribbean Cup. (GT Tuners photo)

Kristian Jeffery becomes the first Guyanese to win the Radical Caribbean Cup series.