Kaieteur News

New PSA must be published before Govt. auctions new oil Blocks -Economist

As the government can have a better perspective especially important even as prepares to auction 14 new as to what exactly these this PSA is set to govern all oil blocks offshore Guyana terms will finally be because future oil blocks. Moreover, that will be governed by a of course there are many theVPhadsaiditwillfeature new Production Sharing waystomanipulateelements a Stability Clause, the said A g r e e m e n t ( P S A ) , ofthetermssothatthereturn provision that both the Economist Elson Low said tothenationwouldbewhatit OppositionandthePPPhave the agreement must be made appearstobe.Weneedtosee said must not be violated in public before the process the full terms of any new the process of seeking starts to allow for public PSA before it is signed. I renegotiations where scrutinyandcomments. think it is a matter of serious needed. The Economist said Inanexclusiveinterview urgencyevenasweapproach once the auction is with this publication earlier t h e a u c t i o n I t i s completed, before any intheweek,Lowpointedout unacceptable for them to agreements are signed, any that only a few terms have enter into any agreement variance to the terms of the beenannouncedsofarbythe with any oil company before PSA should also be country’s Vice President, thefullPSAispublic.” publicized so the nation is Bharrat Jagdeo. As such, he Low believes that there awareofanychanges. noted, “it is not acceptable should be time for public According to him, key that only some of the terms consultation and comments provisions must be clearly would be released. Instead, regarding the final terms outlined such as whether we need to see the entire Guyana demands from oil Royalty will be recoverable document so that the nation companies This is and the ceiling for cost recovery On November 3, the Vice President called a press conference where he told media operatives that some of the key provisions range from about 1000 operated by Exxon and its the absence of ring-fencing that will be featured in the square kilometres to 3000 partners - Hess and CNOOC provisions. It must also be new deal include a 10 square kilometres, with the -remainsboundtoaseparate noted that Exxon is allowed percent royalty, 10 percent majority of them being close arrangementinwhichitpays to deduct 75 percent of costs corporation tax and ring- to 2000 square kilometers. a mere two percent royalty, from Guyana’s earnings fencingprovision. Meanwhile, the Stabroek no taxes and also recovers upfront to cover its expenses I n m a k i n g t h e B l o c k t h a t c o v e r s expenses from multiple while the new PSA would announcement, the VP also approximately 26,800 projects from the revenue cap cost recovery at 65 clarified that the 14 blocks square kilometres and is earned by development, in percentofearningsannually

England in 6 months raises windfall tax on oil companies from 25% to 35%

British

on

announced that the governmentisincreasingthe windfall tax on oil and gas

interest in the Block. Hess ofGuyana’s(GOG)decision Articles 15.4 and 15.5 of the operatorsfromthecurrent25 Guyana Exploration Ltd to grant massive tax waivers petroleum agreement p e r c e n t w h i c h w a s holds30percentinterest,and to the oil companies and requiring the Minister announcedinMayof2022to CNOOC Petroleum Guyana their affiliates. Earlier this responsible for Petroleum to 35percent. Limited holds 25 percent month, Lall’s lawyer filed paytaxesforandonbehalfof A windfall tax is a one- interest. final submissions in the case the ERPGL, and the off tax imposed by a

No bail for alleged duck, chicken thief

A45 year old before Magistrate Esther man, Raphael Sam and pleaded not guilty Manttooes, a tothecharge.

For the third-quarter of and oral arguments into the Commissioner General to government on a company, 2022, Exxon announced that case will be conducted on issue certificates to that specifically targeting those its overall earnings was a December 12, 2022 and effect is therefore a violation that benefit from something record shattering US$19 7 February 22, 2023 was set ofthePetroleumAct. they were not responsible billion whereas Hess fortheruling. President Irfaan Ali was move for increase windfall windfall tax on oil and gas for In this instance, the reported that it earned a net The KN’s publisher’s recently reported in the tax comes as British oil and companies. On the local ongoingRussia-Ukrainewar income of US$515 million court case seeks to overturn media stating that Exxon gas giants, like Shell and BP, front, Guyana has found have sent oil prices soaring and CNOOC recording the expansive tax provisions will not be subjected to the continue to book record itself in a conundrum where and triggering a cost of US$5.1 billion. In January granted to the oil companies newtermshisadministration profits this year For the it is foregoing more than it living crisis in many 2022, K a i e t e u r N e w s as part of the PSA for oil announced for future oil third-quarter of 2022, BP earns. Exxon’s affiliate Esso countries, including Britain. Publisher, Glenn Lall, drilling exploration in the blocks, nor will Guyana be recorded US$8.2 billion for Exploration and Production Amid the war, oil and gas approached the High Court Stabroek Block. Among the implementing a windfall tax the three months through to Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), is the companies have been seeing tochallengetheGovernment grounds, Lall argues that ontheoilcompanies. the end of September operator of the country’s record-shattering profits and whereas Shell recorded richest oil block (Stabroek as such, many governments US$9.45billionforthesame Block) and continues to have introduced a windfall period. Earlier this month, enjoy tax free earnings tax on the big profits to President of the United owing to the Production alleviate the cost-of-living StatesofAmerica,JoeBiden Sharing Agreement (PSA) crisis and balance their threatenedtoincreasethetax Guyana signed onto with the economy o n t h e o i l m a j o r s oilmajor The British government ‘outrageous’ profits. Biden According to the 2016 move to further tax oil had said, “Give me a break, PSA, Guyana has agreed to, operators’ big profits comes enoughisenough,lookI’ma u n d e r t h e t a x a t i o n at a time when American oil CapitalistandIhavesaidthis p r o v i s i o n s , t o p a y g i a n t , E x x o n M o b i l before, I have no problem ExxonMobil’s share of subsidiary and its associates with corporations turning a Corporation and Income are enjoying tax-free profits fair profit and getting a Tax.As such it would mean, inGuyana. return on their investment that Guyana foregoes each

On Thursday, the British and innovation, but this is year, billions of US dollars. Finance Minister said, “I not remotely what’s O n t o p o f t h i s , havenoobjectiontowindfall happening. Oil companies’ documentation to this effect taxes if they are genuinely recording profits today are is then provided to the US aboutwindfallprofitscaused not because they are doing based company allowing it by unexpected increases in s o m e t h i n g n e w o r to not have to pay any taxes energy crisis.” Hunt then innovative,theirprofitsarea in its home country for its disclosed that the energy windfallofwar.” earningsoverseas. profits levy will increase

Countries like Norway Guyana’s Stabroek from 25 percent to 35 and Czech Republic are also Block is 6.6 million acres percent. He added that the clamping down on the (26,800 square kilometers) increasewilltakeeffectfrom energy giants and have and has approximately 11 January1,2023andlastuntil signaled their intentions to billion proven barrels of oil. March2028. raise US-billions through a EEPGL holds 45 percent

Amerindian Ministry still to receive $8M in radio transceivers one year after paying supplier in full

The Ministry of Amerindian Ministry said it has been in regular contact Affairs is yet to receive $8M withthesupplier,PBSTechnology(Guyana) worth in radio transceivers that Inc. for the delivery of the ICOM 78 HF

were paid for in May 2021. This Radio/Transceiversets. was revealed by theAuditor General’s (AG)

The Ministry disclosed that on August 2021report. 10, 2022, the company informed via a letter

l a b o u r e r Bail was refused and the nicknamed “Tag” of Better defendant was remanded to Success Public Road, prison. The case was put Essequibo Coast was down for November 28 2022 charged on Wednesday for fordisclosureofstatements. allegedly stealing 24 ducks, 50 chickens, two bags of fertilizer and one pig, valuingatotalof$371,000.

The theft was committed against 63 year-old Isaac Persaud, a farmer of Better Success, Essequibo Coast. Theactwassaidtohavebeen committed between 202210- 03 and 2022-10-04. The accusedappearedattheAnna Regina Magistrate’s Court

According to the Report, the National that the makers of ICOM radios has been Procurement and Tender Administration facing manufacturing delays due to the Board(NPTAB)awardedthecontractforthe unavailability/limitations of supplies within supply and delivery of fifteen new Radio thesemiconductorindustryusedtomakethe Transceiver (HF) Sets on May 6, 2021 in the radios and that it expects to supply the items sum of $8.252M to the lowest evaluated withinthenext45days. bidder

PBSTechnology(Guyana)Inc.hassince

The contract was signed by the Ministry provided the accessories to accompany the on May 18, 2021 for a duration period of radiosetswhicharevaluedat$4.477M. eight weeks after the signing of the contract.

Notwithstanding the response from the The supplier was paid in full. However, the Ministry,theAuditOfficehasrecommended Audit Report said that at the time of that the Head of the BudgetAgency ensures reporting,theitemswereyettobereceived. that the transceiver sets are delivered and In response to the AG’s findings, the used.

Finance Minister, Jeremy Hunt

Thursday

The British Government

British Finance Minister, Jeremy Hunt

Remanded, Raphael Manttooes

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

40 Guyanese, 5 civic groups; 1 President

Anumber of Guyanese, 40 of them, and 5 civil society groups have made a simple and sensible

request, a recommendation, to the 1 man officiallyinchargeofthiscountry

Itisthathestops,takesstockofthenation’soilsituation, weighs the risks, and then decides what is the best way forward. Becausethisisacommonsensecourseofaction,40 individuals, plus 5 groups of people, should represent significantweight,wieldmuchinfluence,onseriousmatters, suchasthestewardshipofthenation’soil. Thedifferenceis thatthisisnotaregularplace,wherereasoningandlogicare lostarts. ThisisGuyana,whereanythinggoes,andwhatever the one leader decides upon, no matter how flawed, this is howGuyanagoes.

Guyanaisarichplace,ofwhichtherecanbenoargument. AlsonowconfirmedisthatGuyanaisalsogiftedwithmany people,whoarenotthebestoflisteners,northeclearestand cleanest of thinkers, nor anywhere near the top of the pile wherestraighttruths,plaintruths,andonlytruthsareprized possessions. As is now obvious, the PPPC Government suffers from severe deficiencies of such negative attributes. For here we have a national leader being called upon, being shownthelight,andyetheisapictureofstubbornresistance.

What is it that he sees and knows that all Guyanese, not justthose40personsand5groups,finditsodifficulttograsp? The oil business is complicated and loaded with oil companies and their partners in crime that are experts in rippingoffpoor,ignorantoilproducingnations,andexposing themtoeverykindofdangerousrisks.

Thenameofthegameisprofitabilityatallcosts,andthe morethebetter,andthequickerthatsuchprofitscouldbehad, thenthatisbestofall.

At the rate that Guyana race along, there are financial risks(debtbingesandagonizinghangovers).Attherampeduprateofproduction,abovetherecommendedsafetylimits, there is great environmental risk. One slip of consequence andGuyanatumblesuncontrollablydowntheroadtonational bankruptcy It would be too late then, and oil companies, includingExxonMobil,Hess,andtherestwouldsimplycatch theirplanesandleaveGuyanainthemess. Theseareamong thethingsthatthose40concernedGuyanese,and5alarmed civilsocietygroups,haveplacedbeforethePresident.

Likewesaid,thereislittleoptimismthatthePresidentis listening,evergivestheclosehearingthatisrequiredofwhat goesagainsthispositions,hisnarratives.

Ithasbeenaconsistentfeatureoftheoneleaderthatcould make a difference, who is too consumed with his own wisdoms, a man carried away by the feel of his selfcongratulations. The sad fact, the worrying fact, is that the Presidentdoesn’tknowasmuchasshouldknow,yethecould careless,whichiswhatpushespasthispretenses.

Notwithstanding all this, Guyana’s President still knows what is right, the sensible thing, to do. For some reason unknowntous,heseemshelplesstomakeanymovesabout whatisgoodforGuyana.

Anational moratorium (pause) on oil production would be one such good development, as recommended by the alarmedGuyanese. Itissaidthatoneofthebestsignsofan outstandingleader,oronewhohasthepotentialtobesuch,is that he or she listens to what is not wished to be heard or constructivelyabsorbswhatnooneelseissayingtohisorher face.

Wethinkthatthe40Guyanesemenandwomen,andthe5 civil society groups that wrote the President did him a priceless favour They laid out in the frankest terms what hangs over Guyana’s head, possibly that of its neighbours. Regarding whether the President will return the favour by doing what was recommended to him, we don’t see that happening. ExxonMobil has too much power in Guyana. ExxonMobilholdsallthecards. ExxonMobilhasGuyana’s leadersbytheboltsandnutsanditisnotreleasingthatfatal grip. Ordinary Guyanese will be the ones paying the price, notanypolitician.

‘Bloated’ Voters’ List is not the Problem!

DEAREDITOR, thousands of Guyanese Government Elections their franchise No other I refer to Mr Sherwood livingandworkingabroad,is (LGEs)in2016and2018. individual right is more Lowe’sletterinthe Kaieteur not an unusual situation This updated voters’ list important and sacred than News (11/16/2022) on the Some countries allow dual wasalsousedasthebasisfor therighttovote. need to conduct another citizenship so that the 2020 National and There are other critical House to House (HtoH) individuals living and Regional Elections The issues that political parties registrationtocleanupwhat working abroad can vote in fundamental point is that shouldfocusonsuchasvoter he perceives to be a bloated theirhomecountryoncethey neither the Leader of the education, improving the voters’ list Mr Lowe areabove18yearsofageand Opposition Mr Aubrey counting of ballots (which believes that HtoH is the duly registered there (home Norton nor Mr Lowe could wasaweaknessidentifiedby only method of registration country) In a few produce evidence to show the Carter Center) at polling that could lead to a clean CARICOM countries, that the existing voters’list, stations, revising the rules voters’ list. He has citizens living and working which has been updated and protocols of the minimized the impact of abroadareentitledtovoteby through regular cycles of tabulation process and periods of “continuous returning home and casting “continuous registrations,” timely declaration of poll registration”and“claimsand their ballots. In Trinidad & and“claimsandobjections,” tabulation results.Alevel of objections”periodstoupdate Tobago (TT) the size of the isdeficient. duplicitous behaviour is the existing voters’ list. He voters’ list is equivalent to To claim that the voters’ recognized here. While the cites a 2008 statement from 81.1%ofitstotalpopulation. list is bloated or deficient PNCR’s partner AFC has GECOM to support his In Barbados, the size of the because Guyanese migrants cited the support of the position. voters’ list is equivalent to are on it, is not a smart Westerndiplomaticmissions

“The imperative to 92 4% of the country’s position. for constitutional reform, conduct House to House population. The Hon Chief Justice and while there is no Registrationwasbornoutof The size of Guyana’s had ruled in 2019 that that guarantee that the thousands theneedforthecreationofan voter’s list at 2020 elections those persons who are of“migrant”voterswouldbe indisputable NRRDB which was 84 0% Guyana had registered could not be disenfranchised in this couldbeusedasthebasisfor 470,000 voting age removedfromthelistexcept process, the PNCR the preparation of Electoral population in 2020 of which on death or on grounds set operatives have launched a Lists that would be 460,352 voted. There were outinArticle159(3)and(4) bitter attack on the British commonly acceptable by all 660,988 registered voters, oftheconstitution.Theright High Commissioner for stakeholders as being which meant that 181,000 to vote is a significant supposedly interfering in unblemished.” Guyanese would have been constitutional one, and it is Guyana’s internal affairs W h i l e a H t o H livingandworkingabroadat thegreatesttoolthatelectors when she said that the registration was conducted election time. Whether this have to influence public existing voters’ list can be in 2008 to consolidate and number of voters should be policy and programs To used with appropriate start a fresh list, there has removedfromthevoters’list arbitrarily deprive them of s a f e g u a r d s W h e n beennocommitmentorplan is a serious constitutional this right is not only a Congressman Hakeem to institute subsequently issue, to which I would violation of their Jeffries’ and NYS Attorney another HtoH registration to return. constitutional right but it is General Letitia James’ replace the existing voters’ Both the Attorney also a violation of natural interfere in Guyana’s list. Political leaders cannot General Mr Anil Nandlall justice. internal affairs, that makedecisionsforGECOM. a n d M i n i s t e r o f To argue in the name of behaviour was deemed as UnderGECOMChairJames Parliamentary Affairs Ms. t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d acceptablebytheopposition PattersonaHtoHregistration Gail Texeira stated that this accountabilitythatPresident forces. occurredfor6weekswhenit wasthesamevoters’listthat Desmond Hoyte moved to Finally, should the was stopped. This process has been updated via amend the constitution to political parties ever decide would have disenfranchised “continuous cycles of allowforelection“integrity” towalkonthemurkypathin thousands of voters living registration”and“claimsand (counting of ballots at the expectation to remove and working abroad objections”periods,thathad polling sites) and “trust” thousands of Guyanese Residency is not a been accepted to the PNCR (joint appointment of (migrants) from the voters’ qualificationforvoting. and other political parties at G E C O M C h a i r b y list, it is recommended that

The PPPC and other the 2011 National and government and opposition) they proceed to amend the political parties believe that Regional elections when the is not enough reason for the constitution by first the periods of “continuous PNCR won a majority in PPPC to agree to make conducting a referendum on registration”and“claimsand Parliament; it was the same similar constitutional this subject. Let the people objections” are adequate to updatedlistthatwasusedfor amendments. decide! After the people provideacleanvoters’list. National and Regional Trust and integrity are speak, then Parliament can

Thevoters’listwhichhas Electionsin2015;anditwas vastly different from actaccordingly been described as “bloated” the same updated list that depriving electors of their Regards, because it contains was used for Local inalienable right to exercise

Dr.TaraSingh

GPSCCU’s Management Committee had to follow court order to letter

DEAREDITOR, holdaSGMbyOctober24th, in person voting in the onlookers that the CoM had

The recent debacle and andthattheCoMshoulduse regions Days before the no intention to follow the failed attempt at holding of the same IT company out of holding of the SGM, the Judge’s order Their request the court ordered Special Trinidad and Tobago that CoMapproachedthecourtto to the court for a variation General Meeting (SGM) was used in 2021 for the vary its order to allow the wasameresham. following the request of the Annual General Meeting CoM to use a local IT Members ought not sit membersisaclearindication (AGM) at which the company instead. Without back and allow this sad the present Committee of Committeewaselected.The receiving the permission of situation to go unchecked. Management (CoM) had no Committee, in advertising the court, the CoM went This matter must be brought intention following the the SGM, failed to state the ahead and used the local IT back to the court for court’s order The members agenda for the meeting in company The CoM sanctionsonmembersofthe whotooktheCreditUnionto accordance with the rules of subsequently withdrew the CoMfortheirrefusaltocarry court, requested and the society and the order of variation application made outtheordersofthecourt. received orders from the the court. In addition, no tothecourt. Itseemsclearto Sincerely, courtinstructingtheCoMto venues were announced for the average member and JoshuaLuke

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Will the Real Roshan Khan Please Stand Up! Join with Glenn Lall

DEAREDITOR, you after such a long time.

JUDGEAND JURY

DEAREDITOR, contact my dad about went into a school complex

caring, honest, and genuine office in the future. Guyana with the living standard of Raw” video. Please take Iuseasreference;theold Forthepasttwoyears,Ihave voice out there, to date. He needstobeunited. the average person and the some constructive criticism. Roshan Khan I knew, our been scrutinizing the media doesnothavetofight,forhe Guyana has been kept conditionofthecountryasa LikeItoldyouinourprivate most recent messenger voices coming out of is well off, but he seems down in past, in part by the whole; one would have to conversation, you seem conversation and the “RK’s Guyana, to ascertain who is genuinely concerned for the tried and tested; divide and come to the logical bitter and angry, and I am Guyana Free!! Jailall!” reallyforthepeople,andthe poor and downtrodden. I conquer tactics, used by its conclusionthatsomethingis disappointed. FacebookVideo.Itwasvery Lord led me to Dr Glenn strongly believe that he colonizers, conquerors, definitely amiss – perhaps I will not say what you good to be in contact with Lall. Ifeelthatheisthemost should run for political exploiters and most diabolically amiss, even told me, regarding certain egregiously,itsleaders,from invariably,deviltryamiss. personal grievances, but I time immemorial. Every The Roshan Kan I know can truly sympathize with leader from Guyana’s isalsoamanlikeDr Glenn you. ItoldyouthatIamnot inception as a republic to Lall; humble, caring, your judge One author present has failed the concernedandtalented. You penned; “When you know Guyanese people, without assisted me when I was God,youcanbehumbleand exception. down, and I appreciate that when you know yourself,

I simply looked at the somethinglikethisinschool, in Berbice. Only a scooter caption, “QC Principal says Imaynotbealivetoday experienced his presence Judge intimidated Vice He would have had no TryasImay,Icannothelpto Principal over incident interest in who was right or put the judge’s presence in involving child” (SN wrong. One more thing: no the QC compound and all November 17), and I shrank teacher would have had to thathappenedtherewiththat indisbelief. fear his presence, though he armed fellow in Berbice. APrincipalcompelledto wasbuiltlikeaheavyweight One came with steel, the complainaboutaJudgeover wrestler otherwithavariationofit. achild? I assure the Honourable AsIleave,Iponderthese This can’t be, shouldn’t member from the realm of and other developments be;notwiththeofficialtitles local jurisprudence that I involvingthelegalfraternity, and elevations of the good, makenocomparison,orcast Ireachthiscrossroad. upstanding citizens anyaspersions. ButthisIdo If this is of officer(s) of identified. Exceptthatitis. putbeforeallofus:hisplace thelawinpublicaction,then I looked at the online wastobeimmovablyaffixed the private ones can only be caption, and didn’t read a tohischambers. subject to the worst of wordmore. That is, unless there was interpretations.

Though the story may clear and present danger to And with the way our have a score or more sides life and limb, I would go so society reacts to anything (head teacher’s, jurist’s, two farastoofferpeaceofmind. and everything these days, kids, bystanders, and that of Editor, I am thinking of fromthepossiblyinnocuous, the deputy), my position is our call to judgment, and tothelikelyfrivolous,tothe simple: matters should not how we can often mangle definitely raucous, then I have degraded to this. No that which is the thinnest of shuddertovisualizehowthis matter the gravity of the lines separating man from wondrous vision of ‘One issue, this should not be, monster Guyana’canemergefromits regardless of who was right Whitherourreserve? To tripleorseven-digitdistance or wrong Not in any where has gone that (in miles) to where we need institution of learning for hesitation,thatrestraintfrom to go and get, and which children. rushing into any fray, lookslessandlessattainable

Not with the prestigious including what may be when these underpinnings and reputable players adjudicated to be unworthy surface, and tell us who we involved. of anger, an excess of zeal, are, and what we have for a

The only judgement that andwhatfollows? societyandcitizenry Iwillpassonthejudgeisthat This was about children, If this is what results heshouldhaveknownbetter, and if we cannot manage from our learned, our held himself more in check. ourselves better than the admired,ourachievers,then I wish that the words and children, then I don’t know I am at a loss as to what actionsoftheprincipalofthe how we will ever rise above occursatlevelsnotsogifted. most renowned centre of where we are hopelessly, This explains our daily instruction in this country dreadfullymired. horrors,politicalandsocial. didn’t have to be made This is not about how Sincerely, public. well, or how poorly, the GHKLall

Thisisofthedifferences instructor onsite managed between two children, the thesituation. Itisabouthow way those unfolded, where we fail to observe certain those developments have protocols that civility and nowtakenus. plain common decency

Iregretthatthearmofthe requires. Pardon me, as I law at senior levels can be add, and the dignity summoned(orinfluenced)to becomingofcertainoffices. be present in less than a Perhaps the principal heartbeat, and with others didn’t do the best that she stillhigherinthepolicefood wascapableofincontaining chain to be embroiled in the situation within the whatwastheroutineissueof perimeter ofThomas Lands. youthful overstep, an Then again, the halls of educator’s on the ground justice and its extended arm wisdom, and all that has areamerestonethrowaway since ensued in the Ican’tbegintoimaginewhat simmering upheavals of the technology of today has whatGuyanahasbecome. unleashed.

Iamthinkingofthattime TheotherdayIreadofa of yore that if I were able to citizen with a cutlass who

Yes, some have done verymuch. you cannot be proud” better than others but that is I can never forget that. I Though we are not of the not our barometer; our truly think that Dr Glenn same ethnicity, you did not barometer is what is the Lall and the old Roshan let that stop you from position and condition Khan, that is, if he does not assistingmeup. (living standard) of the have to be resurrected, I thank you. I told you ordinary man. They say the wouldbeagoodteamtolead that you are to be loyal to measurement of a country’s a political party to contest God, not man. You judged caliber is how it treats its the next general election. I my motives and even most vulnerable citizens – truly think that you two accused me of being the poor, the young, the un- would do better for the sympathetic to a man and educated, the disabled, the people, than all the leaders party,Idonotevenknowor minorities, the single combined,fromitsinception have never supported. You mothers, the disadvantaged, asarepublic,totoday made a lot of assumptions themarginalizedetc. Now, regarding your andjumpedtoalot

From a strictly quantum soliloquy in your “In the (Continuedonpage6) perspective; Guyana has arguably,alwaysbeenoneof the wealthiest countries in the world, per capita, naturally

Now, due to the fact that the most invaluable natural resources are being tapped and quantified, Guyana is arguably one of the wealthiest countries, per capita, on the earth, at this presenttime.

Now let’s juxtapose that

High Court Judge accused of intimidating QC Vice Principal

- School Board launches investigation

An investigation is now a boy and a girl before her underway by the Board of regarding them hitting each Governors of Queen’s other on the shoulder. The College after it was alleged Principal in her letter said that High Court Judge thatbothstudentsconfirmed Navindra Singh intimidated that the female student was the Deputy Principal of the trying to enter the male college following a recent student’s class when he incident involving his child prevented her from entering and another student of the theclassroombyplacinghis college. arms across the door This In a letter addressed to resulted in the two students taken when “Justice Singh further stated that she then approachedbyJusticeSingh the Assistant Chief pushing and hitting each interrupted to say the made a call to the mother of whoinformedherthatheand officersMr Caesar(Headof Education Officer (for other following in a very the male student and related the police have a meeting Major Crimes Unit) and a Secondary) at the Ministry “I instructed both aggressive tone. ‘Who do the matter to her and how it with her this morning. “I female officer, shouted at of Education, acting studentstoapologisetoeach youthinkyouaretohavemy was resolved and implored indicated to him that I have her, calling her a liar and Principal of the school, other and they were child apologize to someone that she talks with him to no meeting scheduled with attemptedtohitherwhenthe CandaiceCave-Stephensaid cautioned not to repeat such who hit her? I am recording ensurethatsuchbehaviouris him and any police officer femalepoliceofficerstepped that the incident involving behaviours before being you, are you saying that if notrepeated. andwentintotheofficewith inandpushedhimaway.” theDeputyPrincipal,Lenise dismissed,” the Principal someone hits my child, she M e a n w h i l e , o n twoeducationofficers(Mrs. Upon hearing this and Parker and Justice Singh wrote. A few minutes later, mustnothitback?Youarean November 10, the Principal Atkinson and Mr Zameen) seeingthefearintheDeputy occurred on November 11 Principal Cave-Stephen said incompetent woman and I revealed that she had with whom I had another Principal and the fact that last while the matter she had received a call from will see to it that you are received a call from Mr meeting at the time. I asked JusticeSinghandtheofficers involving the two students Justice Navindra Singh, the removed from that office. Immanuel Bridgewater, the the Deputy Principal (ag) to were still outside of her occurredonOctober27. father of the young girl who This matter will be reported Principal Education Officer informJusticeSinghandthe office, Principal Cave Principal Cave-Stephen expressed his dissatisfaction tothepoliceandIwillbring (PEO)whoinquiredwhether policeofficersthatIwillnot Stephen explained that Ms. said that on October 27 last, with the way in which she the police into Queen’s she was aware that Justice be engaging them at the AtkinsoncalledanAssistant sometimeafterthedismissal resolvedthematter College to you ’ My Singh made a report to the school and they should visit Commissioner who ofschool,Ms.TeriAndrews, She stated that she response was ‘noted sir’ police of an assault on his the Ministry of Education,” subsequently sent two the supervisor for Grade attempted to explain why beforeendingthecall.” child by another student of shesaid. officersovertotheschoolto Eight, brought two students, that course of action was Principal Cave-Stephen thecollege,“whichIreplied In her letter, she addressthesituation. inthenegative.” disclosed that while in her Shestatedthatamember The following day, office, the Deputy Principal of the School Board’s November11,sheaddedthat (ag) returned in a Secretariat and both sometime after 11:00hrs, traumatizedstatetosaythat, education officers were also while in the foyer area “JusticeSingh(theparent)in presentinheroffice outsideofheroffice,shewas the presence of the two (Continuedonpage9)

Queen’s College

Will the Real Roshan Khan...

Frompage5

Dr IrfaanandVicePresident, butIhavetaughtaccounting of conclusions that has no Dr BharratJagdeotime;but in the past. Liquidity has basisinfact. ifthepastperformanceisan nothingtodowithtoomuch

What is most troubling, indicator, we have to not monies in an economy is you explanation of why onlygivethemtime;wehave Liquidity is simply the more monies is not pumped to pray and then we have to amount of liquid cash or into the economy; your act in the best interest of the current assets available, words; “putting too much Guyanese people, legally, to from a business perspective, monies into people’s hand holdthemandtheopposition as opposed to long term or wouldbringinflation”.Then accountable. fixed assets; which takes you went on to say that it Theopposition’sjobisto longer to convert to liquid would bring too much hold the administration cash; Liquidity is a good liquidity in the country and accountable, and the thing from a business prices would increase. “So, people’s job is to hold both perspective Most of the they have to do it the administration and the developed world gives their sporadically,slowlyandthey opposition accountable, and citizensmoneyonamonthly will do, wait and see in I agree with Dr Glenn Lall: basis and it has never raised another two years”. Thou I all have failed in their prices. agree with you of the fact obligations, in this regard Dr Khan, my brother that we have to give His miserably Now, I am an IT and friend. I know that you Excellency, Prime Minister, specialist not an economist, are a decent individual and myadmonitiontoyouwould be; would the real Dr RoshanKhanpleasestandup and join Dr Glenn Lall as a political team to unite our people and take Guyana to thenextlevel. Dr Lallis“In The Arena”; as in the likeness of Theodore Roosevelt’s poem, “The Man in the Arena”. Please join him in the arena and unite the Guyanese people and lead them to a better future; just as Moses led the children of Israel to the promiseland.

Yoursfaithfully, WinstonAbrams, Asinnersavedbygrace.

Justice Navindra Singh

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OIL MONEY NOT ENOUGH

It is the same tune from Guyanese politicians,

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Don’t expect much, the money is not enough.

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From one side of their mouth, it is of how Guyana is great and promising;

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From the other side, it is how we are poor, short, and stunted.

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Guyana pumping 350,000 barrels of oil daily,

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Guyanese don’t have GY$350 dollars to buy a proper meal.

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‘Minimum-wage public servants get $6000 monthly pay hike’

In a country with one of

Opposition Member of Eight Thousand Dollars) as

provided for each child to the world’s largest oil Parliament, Ganesh his salary increase. So Irfaan $30,000 and extending the reserves and dubbed the Mahipaul said the eight forDecemberwilltakehome programme to children ‘fastest growing economy in percent increase is over $3.5M (Three Million, attending private schools. In the world’ President Irfaan “disgraceful, distasteful, Five Hundred Thousand total, this provides $6 billion Ali on Thursday announced d i s r e s p e c t f u l a n d Dollars.),”Mahipaulsaid. of direct cash transfers to the a mere eight percent, across- unconscionable.”

He added that the parents of 200,000 the-board salary increase for

He pointed out that President ministers receive schoolchildren; and an public servants, retroactive President Ali receives a close to $900 000 monthly increase in the minimum fromJanuary2022. salary of somewhere around and with the 8% salary wage for private sector

Andhepromisedtomake $1, 800, 000 (One Million, increaseretroactivetheywill employees by 36 percent to another announcement for Eight Hundred Thousand each take home for $60,147, in keeping with the members of the joint Dollars ) “Based on his December their $900 000 recommendations of the services and healthcare announcement he will get plus $864 000, a total of $1, tripartitecommittee. workers next week. Ali’s 8% salary increase. 8% of 764, 000 (One Million, Ali said needless to say, announcement comes even $1,800,000 is $144 000 and Seven hundred and Sixty these and other similar after the state workers were when we multiply that by 12 FourThousandDollars.) measures augmented the givensevenpercentlastyear. months to cater for the “Point to note: the above many other steps taken by When analysed against the retroactive he will get $1, is just salaries. I made no our Government to remove public servants feel that the It must be noted that the rising cost of living, which 728, 000 (One Million, m e n t i o n o f t h e i r the punitive taxes that had increase is inadequate minimum wage in the public Ali acknowledged, many Seven Hundred and Twenty allowances.” b e e n i m p o s e d b y sector is $75,000, which APNU/AFC on electricity, means that the increase will water, medical and move the salary up to $6000 educational supplies, basic monthlyto$81,000. household necessities, and

Meanwhile, during a basic construction materials. televised announcement of Additionally, he said his the measure, President Ali government remains said the across the board mindful of the extraordinary increaseofeightpercentwill shocks experienced this year benefit public servants, in relation to the cost of teachers, members of the living, especially arising disciplined services, from imported factors. “It constitutional office holders, would be recalled that we as well as Government implemented a number of pensioners. measures to mitigate the

This increase will be effects of these imported granted retroactively to 1st shocks These include January 2022. He said work removal of the excise tax on will start immediately to fuel, capping the freight ensure that this increase is charges, used in calculating processed and paid to import taxes, providing eligible employees together fertiliserandothersupportto withtheirDecembersalary farmers to boost food President Ali said this production, and direct cash commitment by his transfers to especially government comes against vulnerablecommunities.” the backdrop of the several According to President other measures which they Ali consistent with all these have implemented since earlier measures, “I have assuming office, all with the instructed that options be aim of improving disposable identified for adjustment to incomes to public sector the salaries paid to a number employees and Guyanese at of specific categories of large. public sector employees

These measures include: These include, in the first The payment of a 7 percent phase, ranks of the Police across-the-board increase in Force, Prison Service, and 2021; the restoration of the FireService. one-month tax-free year-end Additionally, a similar bonuses to the disciplined exercise is currently being services totalling more than c o n d u c t e d a n d $1 billion per annum; an recommendations being increase of about 40 percent made in relation to specific in the monthly old age categories of employees in pension from $20,500 to our public healthcare $28,000, providing a total system, including nurses, pension payout of more than interns, doctors, and other $21 billion to our senior healthcare professionals. In citizens; an increase of 55 relationtothesecategoriesof percent in public assistance employees, I am planning to payments from $9,000 to make a more detailed $14,000 monthly, providing announcement during the atotalofmorethan$3billion course of next week ” in annual income support to President Ali added that his the beneficiaries of this Government continues to programme; restoration of value highly the hard work the cash grants to the parents that public servants do every of school aged children, day in delivering services to increasing the amount thepeopleofGuyana.

- as Pres. Ali announces 8% across-the-board increase

President Irfaan Ali

Opposition MP, Ganesh Mahipaul

Asingle parent moretaxes.Unlikelocaland between businesses and under fiscal incentive agreements exempting them teacher has foreign businesses she does government. agreements, but a hard fromtaxes. r e p o r t e d l y havethelibertyofaskingthe Under the Production working teacher, seeking to Acountry cannot be run

appealed to the government to waive all her Sharing Agreement (PSA) make ends meet has to withouttaxes.Peopleshould Presidenttowaivemorethan taxes. between the oil companies appeal to the President to be encouraged to pay their $300,000 in taxes, interest She is an individual andthegovernmentnotonly waive the taxes, interest and taxes The income tax and penalties assessed as taxpayer and not a member are most of taxes of these penalties assessed by the structureisslantedinfavour being owed by her to the of the bourgeois class and companies, including Guyana Revenue Authority of low income workers Guyana Revenue Authority thusisnotentitledtoafiscal corporation and import The President has the Belowacertainthreshold,no The teacher apparently does incentive agreement like the taxes, waived but whatever authority to direct taxes are payable and each penalties, interest and late a part time job and the ones recommended by the taxesareduehavetobepaid GOINVEST to support an year, there are pressures fees so as to encourage additional taxes were Guyana Office for for by the Government of investment proposal. But he placed on government to people to pay their taxes. accruedduetotheadditional Investment(GOINVEST). Guyana. hasnopowersunderthelaw increase the tax threshold. Whentheseinterest,feesand source of income from the GOINVESThasbecome Whatcanbemorevulgar towaiveamere$300,000in Thousands of low-income interest are compounded part-timejob. a concession factory than that Recently, the taxes and penalties of the workersdonotpayanytaxes withthetaxesowed,itserves Theappealfortaxrelief Businesses, large and small, PresidentoftheGeorgetown teacher and this should never be the asdisincentiveforpersonsto by the teacher has touched a apply to that investment Chamber of Commerce and This shows the extent to case. Everyone should pay settletheirindebtedness. rawnervewithinsociety As promotion agency seeking Industry reportedly called which the tax laws cater for taxes but the rate of lowB u t w h i l e t h e the publisher of this concessions for their forlocalbusinessestoenjoy the rich to the disadvantage income workers should be government will not newspaper has suggested in operations. greater parity with their ofthepoor kept low In other words, consider a limited amnesty his recent Tik Tok video, it Based on an agreement foreign counterparts when it That teacher should not thereshouldbeaprogressive for penalties, late fees and points to the inequity of our which they sign with the comestotaxconcessions.He bother to write to the taxsysteminplaceinwhich interest, it will continue to taxsystem. government extremely was reportedly taken to task President.Hehasnopowers asapersonincomeincreases grant tax waivers to AccordingtoGlennLall, generous concessions, forsayingthis. to waive her taxes, however the income taxes her or she companies, large and small thelargegoldminingandoil including on vehicles, are Years ago, when Yesu muchhemightwishtodoso. paysshouldalsoincrease. inGuyana.Allthisdoesisto companies operating in grantedtomanybusinesses. Persaud made a similar call, She should instead write to But the GRAalso has to perpetuate the inequities in Guyana are fetching out our The value of those he too was publicly the Head of the Guyana appreciate that its system of ourtaxsystem. goldandouroilrespectively concessions is estimated at castigated. The authorities Revenue Authority asking penalties, interests and late (The views expressed in and are not subject to billions of US dollars each rather than addressing the forawaiverofthepenalties, fees are too punitive and this articles are those of the corporationtaxes. year The Auditor General problem of tax inequity are interestandlatefees.Butshe prohibitive. author and do not But this poor teacher, has pointed to the massive insteadturningablindeyeto will have to pay the taxes The country is now necessarily reflect the struggling to make ends increase in concessions and it.Itisironicthataninvestor which have been assessed emerging out of pandemic opinions and beliefs of this meet,isforcedtotakeapart- exemptions on account of cangointoGOINVESTand because she is not one of andtheleastthegovernment n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s timejob,onlytohavetopay investment agreements negotiate tax concessions those companies which couldhavedonewastogrant affiliates.) enjoy fiscal incentives a limited amnesty for

HighCourtJudgeaccusedofintimidating...

Frompage6

“Our school must be a the President of the Guyana whenthereportswerebeing safe place for students, Teachers’Union(GTU),Mr giventotheofficers. teachers and all other MarkLyte.Whencontacted, Principal Cave-Stephen workers and we must be Lytetold Kaieteur News that in her letter to Assistant allowed to carry out our the Union is in support of ChiefEducationOfficersaid mandate of educating our teachers of the school that, “this experience was l e a r n e r s w i t h o u t “GTUsupportstheteachers; very traumatising to my intimidation, threats, theyarefeelingunsafeinthe Deputy Principal, me, disrespect and abuse by schoolenvironment…” students who were close anyone,” she pointed out. He said the GTU also enoughtohearandseewhat The Principal noted in her supports the demands the was happening and at least letter that the matter was teachers are making which one teacher who witnessed reported to the Board of include, additional security, the incident outside of my Governors of Queen’s and an apology from the office ” She further College and is seeking the judge. “Thesearethingswe expressed that it is a cause Ministry’s advice on what stand for because if parents for concern when persons measurescanbeputinplace areinvolvedincertainaction arethreateningtheprincipal, to alleviate “this fear of thatbringsteachersintofear teachers and students of this threat.” in their own place of work college. Theletterwasalsosentto thenthat’saconcernforus.”

Dem boys seh...

SCHOOLCHILDREN

ARGUING NOW LIKE LAWYER

When dem boys used to go to school, Butdistimenahlangtime.Demstudents dem teacher was like God. Dem word was now standing up fuh dem rights. Dem strongerdanajudge.Nobodydarequestion teachers can’t flog dem students without de whatateachersayordecide.Andifyuhwent permissionofdeheadteacher Demteachers’ homeandcomplaintoyuhparents,yuhsure authority now open to scrutiny, as it should togetagoodflogging.Sonuffofweusedto bebecauselangagonuffofdemteacherused tek we licks and insults at school and stay tousefeartokeepyuhinline. quietwhenwegohomeforfearofasecond Nowadays is a different ballgame. Dem roundoflicks. studentsdoesarguedemcaselikeifdemdeh Sometimes dem teachers did gat to inacourtroom.Anddemknowdemrights. protectdemstudentsfromdemparents.Dem Dem boys nah gat de facts about de boys remember de case well of a former matteratQC.Sodemboysnahgancomment judicial official who father went into he onit.Butdemboysfeeldayanystudentwah schoolandgiveheasoundcuttail.Depoor get assault gat a right to defend himself or childgettraumatized. herself.

And dem boys always feel dat he Andifdemboyschildgettreatwrongly haughty and arrogant attitude of de man in school, yuh can bet dat dem boys can go today is part of de aftershocks of he anddemandjustice. childhoodexperience.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

IS GOOD EDUCATION MATERIAL

Inmycolumnyesterday, the mechanism of polling agents in every listconsistofperambulating impossibility for I once more pleaded for the continuous registration station on Election Day in Guyanese who cross over 5000 Guyanese in need for people to expose began and the role of the March 2020. It is and will from North America to Guyana to have fictionsthatarefoundinthe private sector is bringing it remain impossible for Guyana and back with possessionoffive5000 mainstream media and about. thousands of impersonators increasing frequency What ID cards of registered social media that are M r G o u v e i a ’ s to vote The Guyana’s happensthenisPeggySmith Guyanese who are in ruling party in Barbados designed to deceive people contribution is excellent election system does not isonthevoter’slistbutgone the diaspora. You cannot won two elections with that andplaywiththeirminds. historical description which allowforsuchloopholes. toNewYork. vote for the absentees list. The other contestant in These abominable no Guyanese interested in Herearethepointsinthe You cannot deny Smith because you have to look both elections did get even intentions should be democracy should miss AG’s letter that makes for a therighttovotebecauseshe like them and you have to oneseat.Therehavebeenno confronted once they raise Please go to Youtube and learningexperience: isinNewYorkandyouhave completely dissolve the accusations against Mia their ugly heads The you will see a logical 1 C o n t i n u o u s totakehernameoffthelist. indelibleinkonyourfinger Mottley,thePMofBarbados promulgation of the presentationbyMr Gouveia registration which the PNC Ifatelectiontime,sheisnot 4 Names cannot be ofriggingtheelections.The accusation of the bloated of how the bloated list agreed to simply has an in the country then she does removedfromthelistsoitis APNU+AFC won the 2015 electoralrollasamechanism exclamation is pathetic inbuilt system whereby notgettovote.Endofstory absolutelystupidtofaultthe election and 2016 and 2018 to rig an election is a nonsense. when you reach over 18, Smith not voting because ruling party for benefiting Georgetown and New barefaced invention that Why should it be left to your name is transferred to she is away is the identical from a huge list when it did Amsterdam municipal polls cannot stand up to even theAG, a man terribly busy theelectoralroll. situation with the gold not put them there. They withthesame2020list. elementary reasoning to expose these consistent 2- The term “bloated” is mininglabourerwholivesin came on the list because of Finally, the AG laments muchless academic fallacies? There are pregnant with subliminal Kitty but was in the interior continuous registration.The the silence of civil society analysis. In a fine letter of countlesseducatedmindsin and overt influences. It is a onvotingday law does not allow for groups in joining the debate confronting this sinister andoutofGuyanathatknow deceitful word used to play Propagandists with an removalofregisteredvoters. abouttheuseofthefictional political stratagem, the thatahugenumberofnames with people’s mind It agenda to destroy Guyana 5-Plentynamesonalist term,“bloated”list.Butthat Attorney-General’s letter in on the electoral list cannot denotes illegal action. The then argue that there are are a common feature in the should come as no surprise yesterday’s edition of this translate into tampering listisnotbloated.Itconsists thousands like Smith and Caribbean but it does not todecentGuyanese. newspaper makes for whenthevotingprocedureis of names that were legally people will vote for them. leadtofraud.TheAGdidnot (The views expressed in enlightened reasoning. His backedbyalargenumberof placed there and cannot be This is impossible as Jerry mention Barbados. It has an this articles are those of the letter appeared on Thursday safeguards? removed by law The Gouveiaexplainedgiventhe electoral roll with more author and do not morning but the night One of these safeguards numbers appear large ubiquitous protective names on it than the necessarily reflect the before, Jerry Gouveia is polling agents from all because of the smallness of instruments including the population, according to opinions and beliefs of this explained on the Gildarie- parties The incumbent Guyana’spopulation. eyes of the parties’ polling UWI political scientist and n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s Freddie Kissoon Show how party, the APNU+AFC had 3- The numbers on the agents. It is a scientific pollster,PeterWickham.The affiliates.)

FrederickKissoon

We must grow up, be responsible for ourselves, live self-determination

By GHK

Lall invadingourspace,tellingus another nerve (“right with or against the British Ambassador nor corporate a public position for this one what is right for us, and how government”) Whether plenipotentiary’s statement. Country Head should be or the other on disputed Guyana is confirmed we should go about our they had a right to, or were Why? Because it favoured greeted warmly for matters,onlyfuelshighfires; with each new development business. wrong, to express publicly theirpolitics,andinterpreted venturing - I say straying - andreducesthespeaker(s)to as being less of a country, Advice is always what was said, with position to give them either a boost, into the chambers of our considerations of favouring and more of a brutal tribal welcomed, but in the end, taken, is not the primary or a battering ram. Even so, intimacies. one at the expense of the camp. We already knew movements rest with us, issue. My positions are my main consideration is Now,Iinsistthat“voters’ other Those who do that in that,neednoreminder Still, those controlling and/or public, and they are where I that there are some spaces list” and “inclusion” and domestic partner disputes wefoolourselvesinthinking influencing the home to stand. Not so much as what intowhichevenfriendsmust “right government” all have have learned that hard that we are anything but some degree The three isgoodorbadforthePNCor not be allowed to go. I their merits, regardless of lesson, pulled up sharply, tribal and ancient, or foreigners were the British PPP but what is good for continuetoemploythehome whoposits. Butthoseareall even locked out of shortsightedandnarrow High Commissioner to Guyana. I repeat what is (camp) to emphasize this sacred preserves of those friendship. It is obvious now that Guyana, the American good for Guyanese, not the simple illustration, the High who are part of the domestic As much as I am against therearesomeplacesthatwe Ambassador to Guyana, and PPPor PNC. Their interests Commissioner should be hearth; and which only the High Commissioner shrink from going; others Exxon’s Country Head in and my views of both are welcomedinourlivingroom Guyanese can resolve (“voters’ list”), and for the who should be warned and Guyana. The first addressed secondary to converse about trade and enduringly Helpful American Ambassador’s blocked from going there, that ticking time bomb Clearly, my fellow opportunities, culture and neighbours and caring government interest in are lauded for doing our (“voters list”), the second Guyanese see matters exchanges, or relationships family could offer wise “inclusion” in Guyana, I heavylifting,ourdirtyjobs. spoke of another disputed d i f f e r e n t l y F o r andgrowing. Butneitherthe counsel. Then go their way, thinkthatthesearetumors I reflect on three recent area (“inclusion”), and the immediately, segments of High Commissioner nor the andholdtheirpeace. Taking (Continued on page 21) instances of outsiders Country Head touched citizens readily identified

Govt. fears renegotiation of Exxon contract will chase away investors, hurt country’s reputation

If the government interferes with the two percent royalty

-MinisterBharrat

doing an injustice to our or any other fiscal country,”theministerstated. provision in the 2016

Bharrat said, “This is not Stabroek Block Production about the PPP or the Sharing Agreement (PSA) Coalition, this is about our signedwithExxonMobiland country Because if we do its partners, it could not only that, believe me, investors risk chasing away investors will no longer line up in but even hurt the country’s Guyana because there would reputationasasafehavenfor be this fear that every time companies’ investments the government changes, This is according to Natural there would be renegotiation ResourcesMinister,Vickram of contracts. We don’t want Bharrat. Guyana to be seen as that,

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

The Minister made these thisisabouthowpeoplelook and other comments while atusasapeople.” addressing stakeholders at FieldDevelopmentPlanfora

WhiletheExxonPSAfor Local Content Forum hosted fifth project at the Uaru field the Stabroek Block will by the Private Sector will be submitted very remain untouched, Bharrat C o m m i s s i o n ( P S C ) shortly by ExxonMobil and saidthegovernmenthaskept yesterday at the Pegasus i t s p a r t n e r s , H e s s its promise for new Suites and Corporate Centre Corporation and CNOOC petroleum agreements to be inKingston.

PetroleumGuyanaLimited. subjected to new fiscal terms

BharratsaidGuyana’soil “We are therefore on which were already sector has been moving at an course for exponential announcedbyVicePresident unprecedented pace. Since growth,” expressed Bharrat Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. These the discovery of oil in 2015, who said the government include a 50/50 profit a n d o i l p r o d u c t i o n m u s t c o m m e n d t h e sharing, a 10 percent royalty, commencingin2019,hesaid partnershipithaswithExxon payment of 10 percent Guyana is today producing for making this production Corporation tax and a 65 close to 380,000 barrels per ratepossible. percent cost recovery day via two oil ships namely Bharrat said over the ceiling. theLizaDestinyandtheLiza years, the company would

The Vice President had Unity have faced criticisms for the said that the 14 blocks to be

He said the country is on PSAsignedin2016.“Butwe part of the country’s maiden course to produce a million have made a commitment auction next year will range barrels of oil a day in four and our position is clear that from about 1000 square years. To ensure this occurs we will not renegotiate this kilometres to 3000 square in record time, he said contract because we want kilometers with the majority government signed off on Guyana to be seen as a stable of them being close to 2000 two production licences for country where investments square kilometers. Eleven of the Payara and Yellowtail are secured and there is these will be in the shallow Projects in the Stabroek predictability in companies area and three in the deep Block. investing in our country; AreaC.

The Minister said the otherwise, we would be

Three companies cleared to use GNBS

‘Made in Guyana’ trademark

The Guyana National Action INVEST Caribbean Bureau of Standards Inc., Mr Keon Smith for (GNBS) has certified three seeking to meet quality additional companies under requirements. its Made in Guyana Head of the GNBS C e r t i f i c a t i o n M a r k Certification Services Programme. Department Ms Andrea

The companies are Mendonca urged the D e n m o r G a r m e n t s company to maintain the Manufacturing, Guyana requirements of the Thermoplastic Limited programme (Toolsie Persaud Group of Companies) and Prestige Manufacturing & Bottling Enterprise. The companies were certified to use the Made in Guyana Standards have always Mark on their locally been focused on manufacturedproducts. quality and we

Denmor Garments are delighted to Manufacturing was certified join other local to use the mark on its safety manufacturing g a r m e n t s / P e r s o n a l companies that Protective Equipment (PPE) h a v e b e e n whichitsuppliestolocaland recognised and international companies in certified to use the Made many sectors including oil in Guyana Standards and gas, the GNBS said in a noting that the mark...” He added that his pressrelease. female led business is the company looks forward to

During the certification first in the garments industry continued work with the ceremony hosted at the to be certified. The second GNBS Team to implement GNBS Conference Room at c o m p a n y t o a t t a i n andimprovestandards. the Sophia ExhibitionOffice certification was Guyana Finally, on Wednesday, recently, Director and Thermoplastic Limited November 16, 2022, Company Secretary of (Toolsie Persaud Group of Prestige Manufacturing & D e n m o r G a r m e n t s Companies), which was Bottling Enterprise was Manufacturing, Ms. Upasna certified on Tuesday, granted approval to use the Mudliar noted that November 15, 2022, to use Made in Guyana Standards “manufacturing a safety the Made in Guyana Mark on its hot sauce, wear and being able to bring Standards Mark on its PVC mustard oil, mixed essence, it to a standard set the Pipes and PVC Conduits. almond essence, cake company apart from all This is the first Poly Vinyl colouring, mango achar, others.” She explained that Chloride (PVC) Pipes lime achar, tamarind achar, these garments are Manufacturer Certified to green seasoning, miracle manufactured according to use the Made in Guyana s e a s o n i n g , c a s s a v a the styles and colours StandardsMark. cassareep, Chinese sauce, requestedbycompanies. At a simple ceremony bilimbi achar and koraila in The company, which has hosted at the company’s lime. been in operation for more Providence, East Bank During the certification than two decades, was Demerara location, Director ceremony Office, Manager lauded by President of the of Guyana Thermoplastic of the company, Ms. Annie Guyana Manufacturing and Limited (Toolsie Persaud Rooplall noted, “we have Services Association Group of Companies) Mr been focused on utilizing (GMSA), Mr Rafeek Vinod Persaud, pridefully mostlylocalfruitsand Khanand Business Coach of stated “as a company, we (Continued on page 15)

Directors and Staff of the Denmor Garments Manufacturing Company

Director and staff of Toolsie Persaud Limited receive Made in Guyana Certificate from Technical Officers of the GNBS

Manager and staff of Prestige Manufacturing and Bottling Enterprise with members of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, Guyana Office for Investment and Region Three Chamber of Commerce

Cost for rehabilitation of Cliff Anderson Sports Hall increases

-engineerestimateA.Cunittocost$74.2M,electricalinstallation$38Mandroof$12.5M

fter previously estimating that the rehabilitation of the Cliff AndersonSportsHallwouldcost A approximately$103million-the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, has issuedanotherInvitationForBids(IFB)with anincreasedestimatedcostof$125million.

According to the new IFB, the engineer estimates that the Main Roof Modification would cost around $12 5 million, the electrical installation is estimated to cost $37.9 million and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) installation is estimatedtocost$74.2million.

On November 9, 2022, Kaieteur News reported that 19 contractors had applied for thecontracttorehabilitatetheCliffAnderson Sports Hall. The information on the contractors who had submitted their bids for the project was revealed by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board(NPTAB)office. the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Director of

The contractors were responding to the Sports, Steve Ninvalle during the opening Ministry’s October 2022 IFB, which was ceremony of the 2022 Heritage Games last advertised as “Rehabilitation of Cliff September had mentioned that the Anderson Sports Hall” at the engineer’s Government has plans to construct Sports estimate of $103 million. However, that Halls in several Regions come 2023. Those tender has since been scrapped and the facilities he shared will be placed in Regions ministry recently issued another IFB One,Three,Seven,EightandNine. Ninvalle separatingtherehabilitationworksthatareto had said, “We are having funds to make sure beundertakenattheSportsHall. that there is the construction of Sports Halls

The Sports Ministry, this year had in all of these regions to the tune of $80 received some $3.2 billion in the budget for million each.” Also opened at the Tender the continued development of sport in the Office on Tuesday was the construction of a country one stop Justice Centre which will be located

While the Ministry is looking to upgrade atLusignan.

Three companies cleared to use...

From page 13 Ireland,respectively

vegetables that are available during the The event was attended by President of seasons,andbeingMadeinGuyanacertified the Guyana Manufacturing and Services will ensure the quality and taste of our Association (GMSA), Mr Rafeek Khan products are recognized and secured in who lauded the company for its strides, and markets regionally and internationally, the GNBS for its fantastic work in while we continue to push the “buy local” promotingtheMadeinGuyanaBrand. campaign for authentic Guyanese The GNBS is encouraging more products.” businessestosignuptobeapartoftheMade

The Made in Guyana Certificate was inGuyanaCertificationMarkProgrammeto handed over by the GNBS Head of give their products that competitive Certification Services, Ms Andrea advantage in the local and international Mendonca and GNBS Technical Officer, markets.

Mr KeonRankintotheManagerofPrestige Application forms can be accessed at Manufacturing and Bottling Enterprise, Ms. https://gnbsgy org/certification/made in Annie Rooplall and Staff, Ms. Nancy guyana-certification/

Minister of Culture, Youths and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr.

Some sections of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Three Guyanese for ITEC

Scholarships in India

Suspect in burger stand robbery charged

Police on Tuesday December 2, 2022 charged one of the suspects Accordingtoreports,bandits in the armed robbery of had pulled up during the late Azeez’s burger stand at evening hours at Azeez Friendship, East Bank Burger Stand in what looked Demerara,(EBD). like a heavily tinted silver-

a Guards, Officers and staff of Scholarships, the Indian courtesy call on H.E. High the various ministries of the H i g h C o m m i s s i o n Commissioner, H.E. Dr KJ Government of Guyana and announcedThursday Srinivasa, on Thursday members of the public / The trio is Michael Theywerecongratulatedand privatesector Simon, a Staff Sergeant of briefed on how the ITEC The Indian High the Guyana Defence Force, programmehelpstopromote Commission in a press Rene Hamilton, an engineer India-Guyana collaboration release stated that from employed at the Guyana in areas of culture, 2 0 2 1 , l a r g e s c a l e Geology and Mines economic, military, medical cooperation in Defence Commission (GGMC) and andtechnical. training began. So far, 19 Greganne Garnett, an ITEC is Government of GDF Officers have been employee of the Guyana India’s flagship programme trained in India. Thirty-eight EnergyAgency instituted on September 15, areearmarkedfor2022.

Simon, will be attending 1964. It is aimed at sharing “The mission urges all theACSCentre&Collegein India’s own development Guyanese to make use of the Bangalore, India where he’ll experiences with fellow opportunity and begin their be studying ASC NCOs MT developing countries on the training at some of the most and Leadership for a period basis of partnership and prestigious universities in oftwomonths. cooperation for mutual India in various sectors. For Hamilton will be benefit. more information, please studying Petroleum To date, over 670 c o n t a c t Refining Technology and Guyanese from all walks of edu georgetown@mea govi Petrochemicals at India lifeandvariousregionshave n or access our website at Institute of Petroleum while been trained through the https://www.hcigeorgetown. Garnett will be studying P r o g r a m m e T h e gov in/pages php?id=373,” Advanced Communication beneficiaries include thepressreleasesaid.

Fire destroys century-old Anglican Church in Berbice

Fire on Thursday destroyed the St. Notwithstanding, fire fighters sprung into to Patrick’s Anglican Church located at East action. Canje, Berbice. The 100-year-old church “It is really a sad day given that the was one of the oldest historical structures in building is over 100 years old,” Mc Donald RegionSix. told reporters while noting that the fire

DivisionalFireOfficer,CliveMcDonald spread quickly throughout the church told reporters that at around 04:30h because of its age. “It’s sad we lost a Thursday the Operations Room of the historical building in this Thus far, Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in Berbice was preliminary investigation shows that it was informedofafireattheAnglicanChurch. deliberate,” the Divisional Fire Officer

He said two fire tenders were stated, Kaieteur News understands that the immediately sent to the location but upon church was closed for the past six months arrival, the church was already engulfed. andwaswithoutelectricity

The defendant was grey Toyota Allex motorcar identified as Joel Semple, 27 Security cameras mounted of 39 Samatta Point, Grove, on nearby buildings showed EBD.Therobberytookplace that the car remained parked on November 1 last and for a short while as if the police were able to arrest occupants were deciding SempleonFridayNovember what they should order, 11 He made his court whensuddenlythebackdoor a p p e a r a n c e a t t h e of the vehicle opened and Diamond/Golden Grove two men emerged from the Magistrate’s Court before backseat,asthecardroveoff ground. One of the men Principle Magistrate, Judy a short distance to wait on searched the stand for cash, Latchman. them. while the other pinned the

Charged for allegedly robbing Azeez Burger Stand at Friendship, Joel Semple

Semplewaschargedwith They ran up to the stand, woman on the ground and robbery under arms and jumped over the counter and searched her. The men pleaded not guilty to the grabbedthefemaleattendant reportedly grabbed some offence He was granted atthestand. $75,000 in cash and escaped $100,000 bail and is Shetriedtofendthemoff inthewaitingcar expectedtoreturntocourton but they wrestled her to the

A screengrab from footage of the robbery.

Michael Simon, a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Staff Sergeant (Second right) with Indian High Commissioner H.E. Dr. KJ Srinivasa (second left) and other officials.

Rene Hamilton, a Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) engineer, and Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) employee with Greganne Garnett (both centre), with Indian High Commissioner H.E. Dr. KJ Srinivasa (left) and another official (right).

Three Guyanese have Skills at the Times Officers of the Guyana been awarded Indian Professional Learning for Police Force (GPF), Guyana Technical and Economic approximatelyonemonth. DefenceForce(GDF),Coast Cooperation (ITEC) The recipients made

Flood-prone Corentyne villages to benefit from $77M drainage works

Residents of Corentyne, East assist in the drainage of water It is the soil along the dams. Bridges Berbice – Corentyne will benefit expected that the pump will be that are blocking the drains will be from the rehabilitation of drainage installed before year-end, a task removedduringtheprocess,hetold and dams in residential and assigned to the National Drainage the residents while urging them to cultivationareas. andIrrigationAuthority(NDIA). form a small committee and work Minister of Agriculture, “ F o r t h i s a r e a , along with the local NDC to Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday Whim/Bloomfield, we know for a monitortheproject. announced $77M has been fact that when you look at these “I am hoping before we have construction in Region 5. He said “We are now matching allocated to undertake the areas, the most flood prone areas is the heavy rainfall we can conclude that his ministry is working to investors with local farmers...we rehabilitation works during a Whim, so over the years, we have thisprojectandthatgoesforWhim, develop small ruminants and will are consolidating rice, sugar, fresh meeting with residents of seen what has happened here at Auchlyne, Letter Kenny and also be cross breeding Black Belly fruits and vegetables and that is BloomfieldVillage,Corentyne. Whim...,”MinisterMustaphasaid. Bloomfield,”hesaid.

Sheep with local sheep in an effort why we are developing the Thecommunitiestobenefitare: The Agriculture Minister said Inthecultivationareasbetween tohavequalitylivestock. livestock sector...we also cannot Alness, Whim, Auchlyne, that in the communities of Whim, Alness and Bloomfield, a number Government had announced continue to import feed, we have to Letterkenny and Bloomfield Auchlyne, Letter Kenny and ofcanalshavealreadybeencleaned that some $177 7M has been produce our own feed”, Mustapha Mustapha disclosed that $42M will Bloomfield the majority of the to assist farmers although more allocated to provide support the said. be spent on the cleaning of canals internal drains are clogged. As a work needs to be done

BlackBellySheepProject. Minister of Natural Resource, within the residential areas of the result, a ministerial decision was Additionally, works will continue As of Thursday, 341 Black Vickram Bharrat; Vice Chairman identified communities while taken to de-silt all the canals and in Kokrit Savannah in Black Bush Belly Sheep were imported from Region Six, Zamal Hussain; Chief $35M will be used to clean canals internaldrains. Polder, where farmers lost many Barbados for the project The Executive Officer at NDIA, Lionel and fix dams in the cultivation Associated Construction cattle during the heavy floods, and Government is currently in talks Wordsworth and Director General areas. The aim of the exercise is to Company is scheduled to begin otherareas. with a Brazilian company to have of the Ministry of Agriculture, preventfloodsintheareas. workstoday Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha embryotransplantdonetofacilitate MadanlallRamrajalsoattendedthe Further, the Minister said that a Mustapha assured that the announced that a $600M state of a“betterbreedofanimals.” meeting. pump will be stationed at Whim to contractor, Peter Lewis, will leave the art abattoir is earmarked for

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustaph a (standing) speaks during a meeting with residents of Bloomfield, Corentyne.

Private Sector Commission calls for appointment of Local Content Advisory Committee

- As form for feedback on legislation opens

Head of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Paul Cheong called on government yesterday to appoint members to the Local Content Advisory Committee- a key body that is provided for under the LocalContentLegislation.

According to the Act, the advisorybodywouldhelpthe Local Content Secretariat with the discharge of its functions which includes developing and maintaining measures for the effective implementation of local content by contractors, subcontractors and licencees Its members would be selected from the following agencies: Office of the President; the Ministries of Natural Resources, Finance, Home Affairs, Labour, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Education, Public Works; the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the

and Local Petroleum Organizations.

Cheong made the call for the appointment of the body during the opening ceremony of a forum hosted by PSC at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre for feedbackonthelegislation

Cheong said advocating forlocalcontentintheoiland gas industry has always been high on the agenda of the Private Sector Commission, while adding that the hosting of the forum is a further demonstration of its commitment to that aspect of the industry Following the enactment of the Local Content Law in December 2021, Cheong said the commission had established a Local Content Advisory Group which has been working and meeting monthly with the Local Content Secretariat to discuss key issues. He said these range from the

small to medium scale businesses within 30 to 45 days With regard to contract bundling, Cheong said, “We would have come across cases where companies are issuing tenders for a number of services under one contract when same could be competitively tendered to allow local companies to participate.

“How can there be a commitment to local content and the participation of Guyanese businesses in the value chain when such acts are taking place? How will Guyanese companies get that opportunity to build capacity,toinvest,togrow,if not given a chance? This has tobeaddressed.”

As regards fronting or the rent- a-citizen a tactic used by some companies to fool regulators that they are in genuine partnerships with locals, he urged the

fences 40 categories of work for Guyanese participation, Cheong said the business communityhasmadeseveral observations.Hesaiditisthe beliefofthecommissionthat the time has come for expansion of the categories which include rental of o f f i c e s p a c e , accommodation services, janitorial services, catering, laydown yard facilities, security, local accounting, insurance services, customs brokerage services and pest control. “The capacity and

businesses. It is now up to us to up our game to deliver quality services in keeping with the standards and requirements of the oil and gas sector,” expressed the PSCHead.

He also welcomed government’s recent statement regarding the drafting of regulations and guidelines to accompany the LocalContentAct

Cheong said the commission stands ready to work with government to ensure that these are put in place at earliest to enhance andstrengthenthelegislation

In closing, the PSC Chair said, “Guyana has comea far wayonlocalcontentinashort space of time I wish to commendtheGovernmentof Guyana for standing firm on local content and in passing legislation We recognize it hasnotbeeneasy

This legislation has openedthedoorforGuyanese companiestoparticipate

Wehavemuchworktodo to show we are up to the task.”

commission must temper its expectations when it comes totargetssincethecountryis not only gripped by a labour shortage but also a capacity deficit.

AsforGossai,hesaidthe Secretariat has kept an open line of communication with theprivatesectorasitisseen as a critical stakeholder and the engine of growth Frequent collaborations he said have allowed the regulatory body to better understand the role of all stakeholders in the sector and the measured approach that must be taken to better analyze the impacts of oil investments.

A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l ’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs; Guyana Office for Investment; Private Sector Commission, Labour Union, National Toshaos Council, Guyana B a r A s s o c i a t i o n , Parliamentary Opposition,

payment period for small a n d m e d i u m s i z e d businesses, contract bundling, and fronting to get companies registered. In relation to those matters, he thanked the government for its progress in getting oil companies to agree to pay

Secretariat to be aggressive in condemning this practice. He said the agency must use thefullforceofthelawtonip suchbehavioursinthebud.

S i n c e t h e implementation of the First Schedule of the Local Content Act which ring

skills of Guyana have expandedbeyondthis.Many companies have invested and established partnerships for more sophisticated works.

The Commission is p u s h i n g f o r m o r e opportunities for Guyanese

We must grow up, be responsible...

From page 12 and traumas that we have to work through ourselves and fix(orfail)ourselves,witha tactfuldiplomatichandfrom outsiders But all within bounds

Sometime or the other, wearegoingtohavetostand onourfeet,bethebestjudge of what is best for us. I understandandappreciateour hurtful political and socio culture Yet, I reject established norms in this cluster of diverse, damningly divided, bitter

peoples. Somethings,some matters, some issues, are (must be) beyond the customary reflexive of ‘PPP’ or ‘PNC.’ They are national, and house our pride as a polity, our selfrespect as a people. If and when, High Commissioner, Ambassador, Country Head, alltakeituponthemselvesto decide on where they go in our national home, and pronounce as they please, then where is the self determination of which we speak so boldly and loudly?

What can we do for ourselves when we shrivel from national challenges, c h e r i s h f o r e i g n dependency? This is bigger thanwhethertheyarewrong or had the right. It is about when we, the Guyanese people, will grow up, be responsible for ourselves. When ready to take present and future into our frail, shakyhands

I speak not of unity, only simple sensibility What transforms us into the politicallyprejudicedareway

larger than the PPP or PNC, and both together They are national in scope. We are either a nation, or we are dependent nincompoops We must be responsible for ourselves, and no matter how draining, we must start sometime, somewhere, to someplace. It is time we mature overnight, do some things on our own, and take ourdestinyinourownhands

If not, it is the next foreigner, leaving us chained to only PPP and PNChorrors.

Other presentations were made by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat and Senior Petroleum Coordinator,BobbyGossai.

Bharrat in his remarks was keen to remind that the legislation will continue to undergo periodic reviews to ensure it is strengthened and loopholes for abuse are closed. He was keen to note h o w e v e r t h a t t h e

Hewaskeentoremindthat Guyana’s Local Content Act prioritisestheuseofGuyanese nationalsandcompaniesinthe procurement of goods and services for the enhancement of the value chain of the oil sector The Act also serves to enable local capacity development and provide for the investigation, supervision, co ordination, monitoring and e v a l u a t i o n o f , a n d participation in, local content inGuyana.

The Local Content Secretariat of which he is apart, is mandated to ensure that the provisions of theAct are implemented and functions as the regulatory arm for the monitoring, evaluation, coordination and reporting of local content in the petroleum operations of Guyana.

PSC Head, Paul Cheong during his presentation

A section of the audience at the Local Content Forum

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Venezuela continues spurious claims to Essequibo

- contends that Guyana is not proper party to proceedings, wants UK added to case

By Rehanna Ramsay

Venezuela continued its spurious claims to Guyanas Essequibo regions when it presented submissions in the border controversy case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday. It argued that Guyana is not a proper party to the proceedings, but rather the United Kingdom which had negotiated the settlement of the then border dispute. As such, Venezuela wants the UK to be added to the proceedings if not then Guyanas application for a full and final settlement of the border controversy to be dismissed.

The ICJ - the principal judicial organ of the UN, is holding public hearings on the preliminary objections raised by Venezuela in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela). The hearings are slated to take place from 17 to 22 November 2022 at the Peace in The Hague, the seat of the ICJ. The sessions are being presided over by Judge Joan E. Donoghue, President of the Court. Guyana will present its case today as to

why its case should be entertained by the ICJ.

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In a lengthy presentation before the panel of ICJ judges, Venezuelas Vice President (VP) Delcy Rodriguez put forward the countrys position that ICJ does not have jurisdiction to hear Guyanas application over the territorial controversy. She held that according to the convention, it was the United Kingdom (UK) and Venezuela that had reached initially an agreement concerning the border that separates the Essequibo Region from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. As such, the VP said that the UK is an indispensable and necessary party to the border controversy proceeding. Alluding to the agreement to resolve the controversy between the UK and Venezuela, VP Rodriguez said that Guyana cannot now claim locus standi to now defend or challenge that claim. “…There is a serious problem of admissibility,” Rodriguez said adding that the application before the ICJ has been filed by (Guyana) someone who did not participate in the “arbitrary fraud committed against Venezuela by the UK.” Pointing to historical information dating back to when the Spanish crown ruled over the parts of the Region, Rodriguez said the United Kingdom never had a title over Guyana Essequibo province. She noted that throughout the 19th century, the United Kingdom sought to lay hold over new territories in this part of the world by publishing maps with falsified borders which favoured the British Empire. “This gave way for an organization to fraud, the aim of the United Kingdom was to steal the Venezuelan territory for their political and economic reasons…” the VP contended. Rodriguez h eld therefore that historically, there are two protagonists in the case, the colonist powers of the UK and Venezuela. She noted that at that time, Guyana did not exist. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana came into existence after the signing of the Geneva Agreement a fundamental part of the border controversy. She said that both British and Venezuelan historians “have chronicled the fraud committed against Venezuela by the United Kingdom.” The information, the VP said was documented and filed in the history books of both countries. “The Court should not accept Guyana’s application on the grounds of inadmissibility since the UK

as an indispensable party in the controversy is not participating in the case,” the VP said. She noted the ICJ cannot make a proper determination in the border controversy case without the concurrence of the UK a main actor in the matter. “This is the basis of Venezuela’s objection to the unilateral application by Guyana before the ICJ,” Rodriguez added.

PRELIMINARY ISSUES

Professor Andreas Zimmermann, attorney-at-law, who also presented on behalf of Venezuela, spoke on what he described as two preliminary issues that cannot be ignored when examining the case filed before the International Court. These two issues are whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the case and whether the case filed by Guyana was admissible. While the court has already determined that it has jurisdiction to hear the border case, Guyanas contention that the court should reject Venezuelas claim to the inadmissibility of the case is misleading, the attorney said. “It seems that Guyana is attempting to blur the red lines on these two preliminary objections. It does so by consistently referring to the question of whether the court has jurisdiction or not…” He claimed that though the court has jurisdiction, it does not mean it can exercise it. Prof. Z immermann noted therefore that the main contention raised by Venezuela over the United Kingdom not being a party to the proceeding hinges on the issue of admissibility rather than jurisdiction. He stressed that the Court had only determined the issue of jurisdiction but it must now determine whether the application presented by Guyana is admissible. The lawyer said it is essential for the UK- a necessary third party to the matter must participate in the case for the matter to be deemed admissible.

ARBITRARY FRAUD

In a follow-up presentation, Professor Carlos Esposito, who also represented Venezuela in the matter, conte nded that the court should not move forward with the case, given that the UK was never added as a third party to respond to the claims of fraud raised by Venezuela. He

claimed that this would result in essentially a grave miscarriage of justice. “Venezuela contends that there have been se veral instances of fraudulent conducts by lawyers and high-ranking parties of the United Kingdom, which affect the la wful of the arbitrary award which the Court would need to examine if it were to arrive at a correct decision to a proper conclusion…”

He emphasised therefore that the court cannot decide the case in the absence of Great Britain a necessary party that negotiated the arbitral awa rd. The lawyer stressed too that while Guyana argues that the award of 1989 is valid and should be maintained, it is Venezuelas contention that “the fraudulent and coercive conduct that preceded the agre ement renders it null and void.”

Esposito said that “for the Court to decide on the merits of the case, it will have to touch on the issue which forms a necessary part of the casemaking the United Kingdom—an indispensable party and Guyanas caseinadmissible.” The lawyer noted too that should the ICJ hear the merits of the case, it will be making a serious decision based on “tainted and adulterated maps that were drawn by the UK.”

Esposito noted that the court must rule on the UKs conduct if it were to properly determine the merits of the case. He said nonetheless that this should not be done in the absence of the UK. The hearings scheduled to end on Tuesday related to an application Guyana brought to the Court on 29 March 2018. The Court confirmed its jurisdiction over the case, rejecting Venezuelas objections, in a Judgment issued on 18 December 2020.

On 8 March 2022, Guyana filed its Memorial on the merits of its case against Venezuela in accordance with the Order of 8 March 2021 of the Court. Venezuela subsequently filed preliminary objections to the admissibility of Guyanas Application to the Court to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award on 7 June 2022. In accordance with its rules, the Court suspended the proceedings on the merits until the determination of the Court of the matter of Venezuelas preliminary objections.

Vaenezuela’s Vice President (VP) Delcy Rodriguez

Foreign companies cannot pluck random Guyanese from the sky to front as partners

...vows to plug loopholes for abuse

By Kiana Wilburg

Nensurethatatleast75percent too that you can just show acted in good faith and not they arise. He said highof executive and senior staff up, never pay a dollar to trytoresurrectpeoplesothat level meetings on the way atural Resources isGuyaneseandhaveatleast develop this country, don’t they can merely apply for a forward will occur with M i n i s t e r , 90 percent of non know how a road or school Guyanese passport and PresidentIrfaanAliandVice

VickramBharrat managerial staff is local. wasbuiltorhowpeoplewere claimaGuyaneseidentity President, Dr Bharrat has vowed that the People’s Since Ramps satisfied all punishing in Berbice for Though the certificate Jagdeosoon. Progressive Party Civic three, she ordered that the water like I did but you just was issued to Ramps, “Government is not (PPP/C) Administration will certificatebeissued. show up just like that and Bharrat said the government happy with this. This Local do everything in its power to Minister Bharrat said the wantbenefits.” has paid keen attention to Content Legislation was not strengthentheLocalContent government is not happy Bharrat said it was the what played out and will designed for companies to Legislation with the aim of with this decision. He said, government’s expectation ensure systems are in place take advantage of us,” the p r e v e n t i n g f o r e i g n

“The Local Content Law that companies would have to deal with these issues as ministerconcluded. companies from taking was designed to ensure advantage of certain Guyanese benefit from the loopholes. sector and there are only 40 Bharrat said the categoriesofwork.Thereare Administration will not over 100 services the sector CCH, SC said it was illegal stand idly by and see needs and we are saying for the agency to deny the companies pluck random leavethis40(whichincludes companythecertificate. people from the sky, claim logistics work) for

The chief judicial officer they have Guyanese Guyanese. We are not being said the Secretariat had parentage, and front with unfair.” asked Ramps to supply them as partners so as to Minister Bharrat said the several pieces of financial usurp multibillion dollar government has zero documentation, which were benefits carved out for tolerance for companies that not part of the legislation. Guyaneseinthelaw try to rent citizens. He said, This was requested by the Speaking to stakeholders “Weareseriousaboutpeople Secretariat, in an effort to at a Local Content Forum trying to acquire a Guyanese provethatRamps’51percent hosted by the Private Sector passport due to some family sale of the company to C o m m i s s i o n ( P S C ) lineage... It is only fair that Guyanese, Deepak Lall, was yesterday, Bharrat said the we here, who stayed and legitimate. government is keen on worked, toiled, scarified to

In June last, it was getting this done following develop the country that we revealed by Ramps that Lall, the results of a recent court benefit first. Not people who whowasnotborninGuyana, case with Ramps Logistics born elsewhere and today only got his Guyanese Guyana Inc. The company they suddenly come to passport for the first time in with Trinidadian parentage reclaim their citizenship just 2021. had taken the Local Content forbenefits.”

The Chief Justice had Secretariat to court for

The Minister added, saidinherrulingthatthelaw refusing to grant it a Local “People cannot show up or is very clear on the ContentCertificate. fall out of the sky or appear requirements to get a Local A preliminary version of after 17 or 18 years or Content Certificate The that ruling which was whateverthecaseandsayoh company must show that 51 handed down last week ‘I am Guyanese to the bone.’ percent of its shares are Friday by Chief Justice Itcan’tworksuh. owned by a Guyanese, Roxane George Wiltshire It is unfair It is hurtful

Suspect confesses to murdering Kaneville man over woman

- tells cops he was jealous

By Shervin Belgrave HillBackdam.

Detectives were led to

A murder suspect on believe that Alfred was Wednesday told detectives murdered for having an that jealousy resulted in him affair with another man’s chopping to death another fiancé and named ‘Spanish man on Sunday last at Sand man’astheirprimesuspect.

Hill Backdam , Cuyuni Crime Chief, Wendell River,RegionSeven. Blanhumtold Kaieteur News

The suspect, a 27-year that ‘Spanish Man’ old Venezuelan national confessedtokillingAlfred. called ‘Spanish man’ was Meanwhile, Kaieteur nabbed onTuesday at Itabali News understands that the the two of them together and LandingBarticawhiletrying suspect told investigators a became angry He recalled to escape with the woman he tale of a Soap Opera love seeing the woman on the hadkilledfor storythatendedinmurder man’slap.

Police were hunting him ‘ S p a n i s h M a n ’

‘Spanish Man’ said that down for the murder of reportedly claimed that he he called out to his girlfriend Ravendra Alfred, a 37-year was jealous because Alfred but she refused to answer old Kaneville man whose was having a relationship him Overwhelmed with choppedremainswerefound with his girlfriend He jealousy, he pulled out a around 09:00rs on Monday recalled that he was walking Braziliancutlasshehadwith lying on a bush trail at Sand down the trail when he saw

(Continued on page 24)

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

Dead: Ravendra Alfred

Herstelling man shot by cops after chasing brother with knife

ByShervinBelgrave

Police reportedly shot a 32-year-old man on Sunday November 6, 2022 after he was caught chasing his brother with a large knife at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara(EBD).

The injured man, Ryan Bannister of Herstelling, EBD is nursing a gunshot wound to his right leg. He has since been charged with threatening behaviour but was released on bail According to police, ranks were forced to shoot Bannister Sunday afternoon to protect themselves and prevent him from seriously harminghisbrother

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Wednesday, Police Commander of the East Bank Division, Mahendra Singh said, “Mr Bannister was shot in his foot when he attacked the police…While the police were on patrol, they were approached by a woman from the area [Herstelling] who pointed out Mr Bannister running her and her husband with a cutlass (huge knife). The police repeatedly told Mr Bannistertodesistfromwhat hewasdoingbutheappeared to be under the influence of alcohol or some drug and police had to exercise restraint and that is why he wasshot”.

Ryan Bannister

Relatives confirmed that Bannister was indeed drinking with relatives that day when an argument ensued between him and his brother A cellphone recorded video showed a chaotic situation among relatives.Oneoftherelatives claimed that efforts were made to calm the duo but the brother armed himself with two cutlasses and threatened tochopBannister

Through the intervention of relatives, the duo calmed down but the matter took a turn for the worse when Bannister’s brother slapped him as he was entering his home.

A second cellphone recorded video captured the moment and showed Bannister whipping out a large knife which he used to chase his brother In the background,apolicepick-up

couldbeseenarriving.

Meanwhile, the ranks after restraining Bannister placed him in the tray of the pick-up and rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Hewastreatedand a week later was discharged andplacedinpolicecustody

On Tuesday, Bannister w a s c h a r g e d w i t h threatening behaviour at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court. He was granted bail but had to be taken to the hospital again for treatment after his gunshot wound started to bleed.

Relatives said that they were told that ranks had beaten him that morning at the Diamond Police Station. Bannister recorded a video while in the hospital where heaccusedtheranksofusing a bottle to beat him because he had disobeyed their instructions.

However, Commander Singh denied the allegation and told Kaieteur News that, “No one was beaten by the police”. He said that it was Bannisterwhothrewhimself down repeatedly in the police station while ranks were taking him to court. AfterBannister’sfootstarted to bleed, the ranks took him back to the hospital for treatment.

Suspect confesses to murdering Kaneville...

From page 23 him and approached the couple.

He said he chopped Alfred until he dropped to the ground and then he escaped with the woman. ‘Spanish Man’ said he held her closely and forced her to go with him because he lovedherdeeply

The man disclosed that he hid the murder weapon in aparkedtruckalongatrailat Puruni and he and the woman spent the night at Balamali before making their way to Bartica. It was his intention to disappear

without a trace but was caughtbypolice.

When questioned, the woman corroborated Spanish Man’s confession.

She disclosed that she and the suspect were together for a year but had ended the relationship with him some two months ago after falling in love with Alfred. She admittedthatthoughshewas in love with Alfred, she was living in a mining camp with the suspect.The woman said sheevensharedthesamebed with the confessed killer but was never sexually involved withhimforthetwomonths.

On Sunday, Alfred visited her and the two of them went to his mother’s camp where they ate breakfast. They then left to go to a worksite in the Sand Hill Backdam and while walking along the trail, they decidedtorestforawhile.

It was while resting together,thewomansaidthat ‘SpanishMan’attackedfrom thebushes.

The woman recounted that Alfred told her to run beforehewasmurdered.She said that she left with ‘Spanish Man’ because she wasfearfulforherlife.

Nine graduate from eight-month advanced EMT programme

Nine persons graduated on Wednesday as Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) after successfully completing an eight month training exercise, the Guyana Fire andRescueServicessaidina pressrelease.

The training exercise, which was a collaborative effort between the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the National Emergency MedicalServices(EMS)and the Ministry of Health (MoH), aimed at improving the quality of service offered bytheEMS.

ThenewTechniciansare now qualified to administer medicationtopersonsbefore are transported to the hospitalfortreatment.

This capacity will allow for the saving of more lives,

thepressreleasesaid.

The top graduating students of the programme are Nandaram Dat and ClevelandKing.

The other graduates are Orletta Crandon, Nioka Deyounge, Kelvin James, Klein Knights, Andrew Patterson, Bhumika Sookdeo, and Sandor Walcott.

The training exercises were facilitated by Dr Shannon Langston and Andrea Fletcher of Vanderbilt University and involved Zoom classes for the theoretical aspect while the practical aspect was c o n d u c t e d a t t h e Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Emergency Room and MaternityUnit.

Home Affairs Minister

R o b e s o n B e n n i n congratulating the graduates urgedthemtoshowempathy andbemindfulofthequality of service they are expected toadminister Benn encourage the nine EMT to make full use of the resources available to them in the execution of their jobs while assuring that the Government will continuetosupportEMS

H e s a i d m o r e technicians are trained so as to service ambulances acrossthecountry

Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer (AG), Gregory Wickham, thanked the government and Ministry of Home Affairs for its continuous support while disclosing that the intent is to extend the EMS to Region3.

Thieves targeting Brickdam residents

Residents of Brickdam, Central Georgetown told Kaieteur News on Wednesdaythattheyarebeingforcedtostay indoorsatalltimesbecauseofthieves.

Kaieteur News learnt of this while speaking with them at a crime scene where the body of an unidentified man was found trapped under a bridge at Schuler and GomesOpticalServices.

In attempt to find out if the dead man could be a vagrant, Kaieteur News asked Gomes, the owner of the private eye clinic and other residents if such individuals would sleep or loiter in front of their properties. Gomes said, “No bai…but we doesgetproblemswiththieves”.

The eye clinics boss lives in the upper flat of his two-storey building on Brickdam andrelatedthathespendsmostofhistimeat

home just to keep an eye on his belongings. Thieves, according to him have been jumping his fence and stealing whatever they can find. Drums, buckets and other items have gone missing time and time again.

Kaieteur News learnt too that burglars hadbrokenintothehomeofanotherresident wholivesnextdoortoGomesbusinessplace and carted off a laptop. Another resident in the area also reported that thieves would prowl the area and steal from them too. Some have installed security cameras just likenearbybusinessplacesandinanattempt to avoid losing their belongings have opted to spend more time at home just to surveillance their premises. Brickdam is hometotheBrickdamPoliceStation,where theImpactBaseislocated.

The nine graduates of the advanced EMT training exercise.

Days after receiving certificate Exxon extends Ramps Logistics contract

( T R I N I D A D Ramps Guyana to seek

Chief Executive of Ramps Logistics, Shaun Rampersad

“The Secretariat in Guyana in June 2021. His Secretariat. EXPRESS) ONE DAYafter judicial review after it was considerationofthecriminal Guyanese passport was 2.July14: Ramps Logistics Guyana denied a local content charges has decided to halt issued on September 9, Ramps Guyana re received its local content certificate by the Local the application pending the 2021. Lall, a mechanical applies for Local Content certificatefromthecountry’s Content Committee which hearinganddeterminationof engineer, is the managing Certificate. Local Content Secretariat its compromised its ability to the criminal charges against director of the Point Lisas- 3.July12: logistics contract with provide services for its the Applicant In the based Qualitech Machining The Guyana Revenue ExxonMobil was extended clients. Last Friday, Chief c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h e Services Limited, a Authority (GRA) wrote to untilSeptember30,2023. Justice Roxane George, SC applicant’s application has machining services, Ramps Guyana informing R a m p s L o g i s t i c s ruled that Ramps Guyana be been put on hold until either engineering sales and them of an investigation into Guyana’s current five year awarded its local content t h e h e a r i n g a n d service and project delivery allegedfalsedeclarations. contract with the American certificate. determination of the provider in the Caribbean. 4.July25: multinational was supposed AG responds criminal charges or a He became a shareholder at Rampslawyerswrotethe to end this month and it was In her ruling, the Chief resolution of the matters as Ramps Logistics Guyana on GRAresponding on why the uncertain whether would Justice said that Minister of was previously done,” March 9, 2022, acquiring 51 allegations raised by the continue to provide services NaturalResourcesand/orthe Pertabhadsaid. per cent of the company in GRAhadnobasisinlawand for the company Chief Local Content Secretariat Background newly issued shares, for clearly outlined the sections ExecutiveShaunRampersad breachedSection6oftheAct A l o c a l c o n t e n t US$1 million. Lall told the of the Guyana Customs Act confirmed to Express when Ramps Logistics was certificate is essential for the Sunday Express that as part that they relied on to form Business yesterday that the refused the Certificate of company to operate in the of the wider diaspora, it was thisopinion. contract was extended until Registration and that the energy business in Guyana. an entry to contribute to the 5.September30: Sept 30, 2023. “We expect Minister of Natural for the interest of Guyanese The Local Content Act was country. Ramps Logistics, a Ramps Guyana files for Requests For Information to Resources and/or the Local and Guyanese companies passed in Guyana in family-owned business from Judicial Review against the come out later this year,” he Content Secretariat have operatinginthesector.” D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 1 t o Cunupia, expanded into LocalContentSecretariat. said. misconstrued and/or He said that Regulations encourage development and Guyanainto2013,andsetup 6.October5: L a s t m o n t h , misapplied Section 2 (a) (i) andGuidelinesarealreadyin greater participation for a subsidiary company, GRA issues a Press ExxonMobil, one of the and2(a)(ii)oftheActwhich draft and will now benefit Guyanese nationals in the RampsLogisticsGuyana.As Release to say they are filing world’s largest publicly defines what constitutes a from the Chief Justice’s petroleumindustry a pioneer investor in charges against RLG for traded oil and gas “Guyanesecompany”. ruling and experience Among the requirements Guyana, Ramps was “in the FalseDeclarations. companies, announced two Sheheldthatthedecision garnered in the sector. for certification was that the right place at the right time” 7.October20: additional discoveries at the of the Minister of Natural “These Regulations and company had to be to quote Rampersad, when Ramps first hearing on Sailfin-1andYarrow-1wells Resources and/or the Local Guidelines will further registered in Guyana, have ExxonMobil started drilling JudicialReviewMatter in the Stabroek block Content Secretariat to refuse enhance the legislative 90 per cent of its employees inGuyanain2015. 8.October21: offshore Guyana Despite to grant Ramps Logistics the framework,aswellassetout from Guyana, 75 per cent of I n 2 0 1 7 , R a m p s Ramps hearing on the this, ExxonMobil had not certificate is unlawful, criteria which will inform its management team to be Logistics Guyana was GRA matter Rampersad is announced who will handle illegal, null, void, and have theexerciseofdiscretionand Guyanese nationals and that awardedafive-yearlogistics fined$500,000Guyanese. logistics operations from noeffect. guide the decision-making it must be 51 per cent owned contract for ExxonMobil to 9.November11: next month, even though it The Chief Justice had processes enshrined in the byaGuyanesenational. coordinate its operations in Guyana’s High Court issued an international noted that the Minister of legislation. Rampersad sold 51 Guyana. orders the Local Content tenderinNovember2021for Natural Resources has no These measures will also percent of Ramps Guyana to Timeline of Ramps Committee to award Ramps thenextfiveyears. authority under the Act to address the conduct of Deepak Lall, a friend and Guyana’slegalmatters their local content The submission deadline make a decision whether to operators in the sector, businessman, a Trinidad 1.June9: certificate. wasJanuary6,2022. grantorrefuseanapplication including their compliance born, now naturalised Ramps Guyana is denied 10.November14: RampsLogisticsGuyana for a Certificate of levels with related Guyanese citizen this year Local Content Certificate by Ramps receives its Local wasfirstawardedafive-year Registration under the Act l e g i s l a t i v e a n d Lall’s birth was registered in the Guyana Local Content ContentCertificate. logistics contract by and that the Local Content administrativerequirements, ExxonMobilin2017. Act “clearly needs” as we strive to achieve the

Inastatementlastmonth, regulations to prevent legislation’s core intent, that ExxonMobilsaidithasmade arbitrary decision making is, to protect and promote more than 30 discoveries on In a statement following the Guyana’s best interest,” he the block since 2015, and it issuance of the certificate, said. has ramped up offshore Guyana’s Attorney General Ahead, Ramps Guyana development and production and Minister of Legal chairman Shaun Rampersad at a pace that far exceeds the Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC, still has a legal matter with i n d u s t r y a v e r a g e said that the written the Guyana Revenue ExxonMobil’s first two judgment of the Honourable Authority (GRA) which has sanctioned offshore Guyana Chief Justice “would be beenadjournedtoNovember projects, Liza Phase 1 and scrupulously examined for 25. In October, the GRA Liza Phase 2, are now the purpose of determining, instituted ten charges in the producing above design inter alia, whether there will Georgetown Magistrate’s capacity and achieved an befurtherproceedings.” Court against Ramps average of nearly 360,000 He said, “From the Logistics (Guyana) Inc for barrels of oil per day in the inception we indicated that false declarations to the third quarter Athird project, the Local Content Act, No. Authority Rampersad paid Payara, is expected to start- 18 of 2021 was an initial bail of GY$500,000 (about up by the end of 2023, and a attempt to create a novel TT$15,000) to Guyana’s fourth project, Yellowtail, is statutory framework in SupremeCourtandentereda expected to start-up in 2025. r e s p e c t o f a n e w pleaofnotguilty The company said that it is undertaking, indeed without InanaffidavitintheHigh c u r r e n t l y p u r s u i n g compare in the region. As a Court, Guyana’s director of environmental authorisation result, we promised that it itsLocalContentSecretariat, forafifthproject,Uaru. will remain under constant Martin Pertab had said that

By the end of the decade, review and will be modified the Ramps Logistics’ the company said it expects and refined with time and Guyana second application Guyana’s oil production experience. We are satisfied for a local content certificate capacity to be more than 1 that the Act provides a solid has been halted pending the million barrels a day The foundationwhichhasguided outcome of the company’s coveted multi-million dollar the sector thus far and matter with the Guyana logistics contract prompted enabledaprotectivenetwork Revenue Authority (GRA).

‘Shattabuck’ gets three years for robbing fisherman of G$5000

Mark Mendonca, a 25year old fisherman of Paradise, Essequibo Coast, Region Two was on Wednesday sentenced to three years imprisonment for robbing another fishermanof$5000.

Mendonca, better known as ‘Shattabuck’ was sentenced when he appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna ReginaMagistrates’Court.

The man was charged with Robbery Under Arms committed on Arvinda PersaudonJuly29,2022.

Reports are that Mendonca, using a knife, robbed Persaud, a 30-year old fisherman, at Walton Hall,EssequiboCoast.

Mark Mendonca

60th National Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships launched

The 60th National Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships was officially launched yesterday at the National Track and Field Center, Leonora.

The event is hosted by the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), from November 27 to December 2.

With the last championship held in 2019, organisers said they are extremely excited to see its return after two years of not having the competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing an overview of the up-

coming event, GTU president, Mark Lyte, stated that over six days, the nations best student-athletes and teachers from 15 districts, will compete for medals and bragging rights in swimming at the National Aquatic Centre, cycling at the National Park and athletics at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

On Monday, November 28, the National Park and the National Aquatic Center will be packed with cyclists and swimmers, while all roads will lead to the National Track and Field Center from November 29 to December 2 for the ath-

letics leg of the championships. Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson, said the Ministry of Education has prioritized sports development in the education system, noting that sports form part of the ministrys agenda to produce well-rounded students. “We believe that significant investments were injected by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education for the development of sports in schools. So, this is a big thing on the agenda because our national strategic plan speaks clearly to the promotion of sports.

After all, what we intend to do is to build the whole man speak to the body, the soul, and the spirit,” Dr Hutson said. Dr Hutson further called on students to be supportive of their peers during the competition. He also commended the work of the National Management Committee for its dedication to ensuring the event is hosted.

Also delivering remarks was Banks DIH Communications Manager, Troy Peters.

Banks DIH has been the championships biggest supporter over the years, with Peters expressing appreciation for being part of the event. He noted that the company remains committed to supporting the development of Guyanas youth through education and sport.

Committee, the Deputy Director of Sports, Melissa DowRichardson along with students and teachers from schools in Region Three.

The 59th edition of the

Championship saw District 10, Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani, winning their fifth consecutive overall title to take their total wins to an impressive 18 overall.

Ex-FIFA vice president Warner loses appeal against extradition from Trinidad

Friday November 18, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

There's an important lesson to learn today, Aries, so don't shy away from the classroom. It's important to control your attitude now or it's likely to control you. It could be that your ego is a bit too inflated

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Consider the romantic relationships in your life right now, Taurus. It's important to remember that regardless of how hot and steamy a partnership is at first,

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today is your day to become a hero, Gemini. You don't have to be dressed in fancy tights and a cape to make an important difference in someone's life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

There's a great deal of fun to be had today, Cancer. Money isn't always necessary to make this happen, however. In fact, money isn't a great way to keep score.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Remember that the important thing isn't necessarily what you're doing but the people you're with, Leo. There's a great deal of passion in the air today that you can latch onto and put to good use.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

You could learn a tough lesson today, Virgo. More than likely, the harder the message hits you, the more important it was for you to hear. It's important that you accept failure gracefully.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

There's a great deal of fuel to keep your fire raging today, Libra. Powerful situations are apt to come your way in which you're asked to take decisive action. Don't shy away from added responsibility.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Remember that one wrong move today could cause you to have a headache for a good long while, Scorpio. Don't take uncalculated risks. There's dynamism and confidence in the air.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It's a long road to becoming exactly the person you want to be, Sagittarius. You can't change who you are. Input from every person you know and lessons from every bump in the road.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You should always leave a loved one with loving words, Capricorn. Each time you exit a room, consider that you're never going to enter that room again. Perhaps you'll never see those people again.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Just when you think you have absolutely no energy left, you're able to kick into a higher gear. Push beyond your limits today, Aquarius. You'll find that you can achieve a great deal.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Regardless of how you feel today, Pisces, it's important to own up to your mistakes. Keep in mind that you're responsible for your actions. No matter how much you might want to shrink away,

Present at the event were members of the Management

Grove/ Diamond...

From page 29 similarly to the first game of the night, the experience came to the fore in the second half, where West Ruimveldts Colin Nelson broke the ice in the 56th minute with a well-taken free-kick that deflected off a defender, sending a diving Sean Adonis in goal in the wrong direction.

Further pursuits of a goal proved futile for both sides, as the Georgetown team took the narrow 1-0 victory.

The Region 4 leg of the One-Guyana Presidents Cup interward tournament continues on Sunday, November 20, with a doubleheader at the Guyana Football Federations National Training Center (NTC), Providence. The first match at 12.30hrs will see Highway challenging Alberttown/ Bourda, while at 15:00hrs, Top Zone comes up against South Ruimveldt/ Tucville.

Meanwhile, over in Region 3, at the National Track and Field Centre, the combination of Vergenoegen/Parika /Leguan made light work of Bell West 3 0 in a one-sided affair. The winners had their goals from Roy Singh, who netted a double in the first half (2, 44); Yohance Stuart slotted home his first of the competition in the 78th minute to seal the win. Region 3 will see more action tonight, with Uitvlugt facing Bagotville in the first match at 18:00hrs, and Pouderoyen will tackle Wales from 20:00hrs

The One Guyana Presidents Cup is a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana, the GFF and the Kashif and Shanghai Organization.

(Reuters) - Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner can be extradited from his homeland of Trinidad to the United States to face corruption charges, a London court said yesterday. Warner’s lawyers argued that his extradition was unlawful but London’s Privy Council, the highest court of appeal for many Commonwealth countries, unanimously dismissed his appeal.

Suspicion and rumours have surrounded the 2010 votes by FIFA’s executive to hand the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 edition to Qatar. In 2020 a U.S. Department of Justice indictment said bribes were paid to soccer officials to secure their votes for hosting rights. The DOJ alleged that then FIFA

vice-president Warner was paid $5 million through various shell companies to vote for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup.

His role as president of CONCACAF, which organises soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, gave him enormous influence as a powerbroker for former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter. A former member of the FIFA Executive Committee and former CONCACAF president Warner was suspended by FIFA in 2011 and in 2015, charged with wire fraud, racketeering and money-laundering by the U.S. FIFA banned him from all soccer-related activity for life in 2015. The 79-year-old has always denied any wrongdoing.

West Dem Cricket Association Selects U-15 Squad for DCB Inter Association Tourney

Parmeshwar Ram will lead the West Demerara team in the DCB Under-15 I n t e r A s s o c i a t i o n Tournament.

TheManageroftheteam is Denesh George, while Jermaine Maxwell will be thecoach.

Thefullteamreads: 1.Parmeshwar Ram(Captain) 2.NareshSankar (ViceCaptain) 3.ShameerJohn

4.MitleshEtwaroo

NathanPuran

ShakerRamesh

OrwinRaymond

KawasiDouglas

JoshuaIssacWilliams

John

NamitBalkissoon

Gulam

MahendraMohan

PatricceFrazer

RESERVES: 1.JosiahPersaud

Singh

RobinSeecharran

Pameshwar Ram

Busy weekend ahead in One Guyana Presidents Cup football tournament

The One Guyana Presidents Cup football tournament will have a busy weekend ahead, with matches continuing in Regions2,3,4,5,6and10.

REGION2

The Anna Regina Multilateral School ground will be buzzing tomorrow, when Mainstay takes on Henrietta from 13:00 hrs, andCapoeyfacesDartmouth at15:00hrs.

On Sunday, Wakapau andSupenaamwillcollideat 13:00 hrs, followed by Lima Sands versus Tapakuma at 15:00hrs.

REGION3

A Doubleheader is scheduled for the National Track and Field Centre in West Demerara today and Sunday(November20).

Tonight, Uitvlugt versus Bagotville from 18:00 hrs willkickthingsoff,followed by Pouderoyen and Wales at 20:00hrs.

Stewartville and Crane will get things going in the first match on Sunday at 18:00 hrs, while Parika will play for back to back victories when they face a star studded Dem Amstel sideat20:00hrs.

REGION4

Sunday, at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) NationalTrainingCentre,St. Cuthberts/Kuru Kurur/Swan will make the trip down the Linden Soesdyke Highway to face Albertown/Bourda at 12:30 hrs, then the T i m e h r i / S o e s d y k e combination will look to s e n d S o u t h Ruimveldt/Tucville packing intheirmatchat15:00hrs.

REGION5

In Berbice, at the RosignolCommunityCentre Ground, a doubleheader tonight will bring together #42 and Weldaad at 18:00 hrs, followed by Ithaca and Hopetownat20:00hrs.

REGION6

O v e r i n N e w Amsterdam, the Scott School will be the battleground for tomorrows clash between Siparuta and Corriverton at 17:00 hrs in game one, and in the second matchfrom19:00hrs,Orella will play South New Amsterdam.

REGION10

Meanwhile, in Region 10, that zone will be the buzzing, starting tonight at the Wisburg Secondary School ground, where Christianburg and Half Mile will play at 18:00 hrs. The second match will be between Wisroc and Silvertownfrom20:00hrs.

Tomorrow, football will return to the community of Ituniforthefirsttimeinages as the home side takes on their rivals from the Berbice river(Kwakwani)atnoon.

Aroima will face the Minesinthesecondmatchat 14:00hrs.

On Sunday, action will return to the Wisburg Secondary School ground where West Watooka will looktosendAlley/Valleyout of the tournament at 18:00 hrs; match two, Central Mackenzie versus South AmeliasWardat20:00hrs.

The One Guyana Presidents Cup is a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana, the GFF and the Kashif and ShanghaiOrganization

President Irfaan Ali displaying his One Guyana Presidents Cup winners trophy (Office of the President photos)

Powells century steers Scorpions...

From page 32

blistering start inspired muchhopeintheearlystages ofthechase.Walton(11)was the first to fall when he pulled one to Permaul at midwicket with the score on 23inthefourthover

Andre McCarthy (22) was the new batsman, a mere passenger in the 69 r u n s e c o n d w i c k e t partnershipwithKing He fell in the 13th over via the lbw route to Motie with the score on 92

During that time King reached 50 from 34 deliveries

The opener progressed to 64 before he miscued one from Motie and was caught at long on by

Savory Jamaica were 101 3 in 15 overs At the halfway mark of the innings, they were 173 3 and needed 146 from 150 deliveries to win; Powell and Williams were set on 40and36,respectively

Powell passed the 50 run mark on his 38th delivery while Williams fell five runs short of a half century when he was caught and bowled by Sinclair;Scorpionswere204

4inthe30thover Peat Salmon (8) was the next to fall ten runs later when he was caught behind off Motie

Powell was dropped on 64 by Hetmyer in the 35th over as the equation read 87 runs from 90 balls

Bulli, Powells new partner, contributed a run a ball 17 before the experience of Powell and Odean took Jamaica closer tothetarget

The skipper reached h i s c e n t u r y i n 8 9 deliveries as Jamaica needed 10 runs from 18 balls to enter the final.

Powell finished on 103 not out while Royal (18) hit a six to end the match emphatically

For the Harpy Eagles, Motie ended with three wickets, Nial Smith had two while Sinclair and Rutherford supported with oneeach.

Grove/ Diamond, West Ruimveldt/Albouystown and Vergenoegen/Parika /Leguan were the latest winners when the One Guyana Presidents Cup Football tournament continued on Wednesday in Regions3and4.

T h e t o u r n a m e n t , organized by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, saw the Region 4 leg getting off to a scintillating start at the Georgetown Football Club

(GFC)ground. A doubleheader was on the cards that saw G r o v e / S a m a t t a Point/Diamond and West Ruimveldt/Albouystown proving themselves worthy of advancing to the next round of the inter war fractionfollowingrespective victories. Grove/Samatta Point/Diamond, comprising players from the mentioned East Bank Demerara (EBD) communities, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after they found

themselves trailing 1-0 from the ninth to 72nd minute of their match against South/North Sophia, which took the early lead after Tevin Browne expertly chippedthegoalkeeper Although the East Bank outfit looked more composed in the second segment, their advances wereoftenthwarted.

Eventually, Devon Padmore found the equalizer for Grove/ Samatta Point/ Diamondinthe72ndminute.

Inabidtoavoidthegame

decided on kicks from the penalty mark, both sides uppedtheante,butitwasthe more experienced East Bank team that prevailed under pressure. It was the 76th minute of the encounter when Sophiabywayofafoul in the box, gave their opponents a penalty kick opportunity. Lloyd Matthews made no mistake, pushing the scoreto2 1inGrove/Samatta Point/Diamondsfavour.

The small but vibrant crowd that littered the GFC ground stuck around for the

second fixture, which turned outtobeaone-goalthriller

As West Ruimveldt Albouystown faced off with Golden Grove/ Melanie; there were near misses galore as both sides

struggledtofinish. TheEast Coast of Demerara (ECD) based unit did well to hold off West Ruimveldts continuous advances in the firsthalf. However, (Continued on page 27)

One day remains before the crowning of the ninth COURTSPeeWeeUnder-11 Tournament, as St. Pius and Enterprise Primary Schools are set to collide in the finals at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, onSaturday

Yesterday, Thursday, the finalists met at the playing venue where they spoke of expectations for the finale, whichkicksoffat15:00hrs.

Manager of the St. Pius unit, Melissa Rodrigues, saidthetournamenthasbeen a great experience while adding she always tells her players to play and have fun. The captain of her team, Omar Moses, disclosed that he is quite confident of winning the schools third PeeWeetitle.

Ontheotherhand,Headcoach of Enterprise, Troy Wright, revealed that he wanted his squad to at least secure a place in the final four but since they have progressed further, he now aims to claim the title to achieve a historic feat. His captain is Fabio Kowlessar, whoisalsoaimingtowinthe schoolsfirsttitle.

Atstake,achampionship trophy, medals and uniforms for the winning team, while each player will also be presented with a tablet, complimentsofCOURTS.

The second-place side will leave with a trophy, medals and balls while third place will collect a trophy

andballs.

Tablets, Cleats, balls and other prizes will be given to the player(s) judged the Most Valuable, best goalkeeper and the player withthemostgoals.

Prior to the tournament decider, Marian Academy and North Georgetown will contest the third place showdownfrom14:00hrs.

Theotherteamsinvolved in the tournament will turn o u t i n t h e p l a t e championships to decide places5 16.

The day will commence at 11:30 with the first two matches; Tucville and Mocha face each other for 15th place while Craig and Smiths Memorial battle to decide who claims positions 13and14.

At 12:20 hrs, Timehri take on Dem Amstel in the battle for ninth and tenth while Winfer Gardens and COLAACO contended for 11thand12thspots.

Anns Grove leap into action against Soesdyke in the showdown for seventh and eighth while West Ruimveldt and Redeemer clash in encounter to decide fifth and sixth, both from 13:10hrs.

This Guyana Football F e d e r a t i o n ( G F F ) sanctioned tournament is supported by Sterling Products Inc., MVP Sports, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, YouthandSport.

COURTS Pee Wee U-11 Tournament…

Devon Padmore (L) and Lloyd Matthews found the net for Grove/ Samatta Point/ Diamond in their 2 1 win over North/South Sophia.

Powells century steers Scorpions into the finale

Guyana Harpy Eagles were unable to hold off a surging Jamaica Scorpions unit in the second semifinal ofthe2022/23CGInsurance Super50 Tournament last evening at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.

The four-wicket win by Jamaica has now propelled them into the final, which they will play tomorrow, Saturday, against Trinidad andTobagoRedForce,atthe samevenuefrom1:30pm.

Yesterday, Guyana batted first to post a mammoth total of 318 9 then looked on haplessly as the opposition, powered by an unbeaten captains knock from Rovman Powell, reached322 7in48.1overs.

Guyanasinnings…

In posting the imposing total, Harpy Eagles had a lot of good starts from the top order, many of which were not converted into the half centurymilestone.

Openers Anthony Bramble (22) and Kemol Savory contributed 39 before pressure mounted on Bramble. It caused him to produce a loose shot that got atopedgeandwascaughtby AlwynWilliams at point, off the bowling of Jeavor Royal inthetenthover

Harpy Eagles highest scorer with the bat, Tevin Imlach, was the new batsmanwholosthispartner, Savory (15), four runs later to Nicholson Gordon, which took the HE score to 43 2 in 11 overs. That brought the skipper, Leon Johnson, to themiddle.

Imlach (20) and Johnson added 33-runs for the third wicket before Jamaicans ended that partnership with the score on 76 Odean Smith was responsible for Imlachs caught behind dismissal on the penultimate deliveryofthe19thover

In came Shimron Hetmyer, who partnered with Johnson (30) to add 37 runs for the fourth wicket, but the latter found himself in trouble attempting a sweep shot that got a top edge which resulted in him being caught at short third manbyBrandonKing.

Kings celebrations soon ended when he put down the

new batsman, Sherfane Rutherford, in slip before he got off the mark. That came back to haunt the opposition as Rutherford and Hetmyer combined to add 106 runs from 85 deliveries for the fifthwicket.

During that time, Hetmyer reached his 10th List-A half century in 47 balls while Rutherford took 41deliveriestocrossthat50markline.

The eventful 40th over bowled by Smith had Rutherford pulling to the midwicket boundary to reach the half century mark, then clobbered a six back over his head before a beautiful come back by Smith that saw the left hander edge one to Chadwick Walton with the gloves. Guyana were 219 5 when Kevin Sinclair e n t e r e d A 3 1 r u n partnership was established between Sinclair and the well-set Hetmyer but the latterlosthiswicketwiththe score on 250. Hetmyer was caught by King on 86 attempting a big shot against Smith He faced 76 deliveries in which he hit eightfoursandthreesixes.

That scenario brought together Romario Shepherd andSinclair,whobothbatted well to accumulate the second highest partnership (63) of the Guyanese innings.Withthepartnership on46,rainintervened.

After the interruption, Guyanareached300 6inthe 48th over A six each from SinclairthenShepherdinthe 49th over was followed by the latter being removed for 28 from 16 balls. Motie was the new batsman in and he immediately lost his wicket without scoring to set up Smiths hat-trick that was put in-transit.

Gordon bowled an excellent final over that cost onlysixrunsandclaimedthe wicket of Veerasammy Permaul (0). Sinclair ended on 45 from 33 while Nial Smithwasattheotherendon onewhentheoversexpired.

However, Smith was the most effective Scorpions bowler with 5 65 from nine overs, Gordon picked up 2 55,whileawicketeachwent toRoyalandBulli.

-King,Hetmyer&Rutherfordblast half-centuriesasover600runsscored

Jamaicasinnings…

One would think, psychologically, a total above 300 would have always been challenging for the Scorpions this season,

who passed the 200 run mark only twice in six matches,especiallyagainsta heavy spin attack, but that wasnotthecase.Kings

(Continued on page 30)

Sherfane Rutherfords contribution in the middle with the bat was crucial for Harpy Eagles.

St Pius captain (left) Omar Moses and Enterprises captain, Fabio Kowlessar, got a feel of the Championship hardware prior to the final showdown.

Rovman Powells

Shimron Hetmyer