Kaieteur News

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South African NEWS leader accuses Israel of war crimes AIETEUR

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

Wednesday Edition November 22, 2023 - Vol. 18 No. 45

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 (VAT Inclusive) readership yesterday, 59,078

...Putin and Xi strike more cautious note at meeting

ExxonM free to recover interest rates without

Minister’s approval

- oil contract

Teen brutally beaten by gang for standing up for mother Driver charged with manslaughter for killing cop at roadblock

Bryan Max battered with baseball bats, during attack by three men

‘CARICOM must remain a zone of peace’ ...Rowley says as Venezuela intensifies threats against Guyana

Exxon pressured, duped Granger Govt. into signing lopsided deal - Damning UK report reveals

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

No meter, no problem This is national negligence taken to the extreme. Which government determined to be the most vigilant protector would be so slack about meters to monitor offshore oil production? Which leader would be able to look the Guyanese people in the face, and say that there is no move to get meters to keep ExxonMobil honest with actual oil production numbers, but the best is being done? What is it that we at this paper do not know that can justify having no meters of our own to monitor what ExxonMobil is doing offshore?

In the best of circumstances, when there is a partner that has proven to be one that is credible, a chance may be taken in Guyana not having its own meters looking out for us, barrel by barrel. It is ironic that the PPPC Government has such discomfort, so many anxieties, with citizens clamoring for better from the nation's oil patrimony, but it does not manifest a single concern about what ExxonMobil could be doing in the oil fields 120 miles from shore, and those in control don't know the whole story. What could be made of this standard? Could it be that the Government of Guyana, of the Guyanese people, is in bed with ExxonMobil, and the tricks that it is pulling on this country with the amount of oil produced? Who are leaders listening to, being coached by, in slowing down getting vital meters?

What the government and its leadership team are doing does not make sense, nor give much comfort, when there is clear awareness of the kind of operator that ExxonMobil is.

The history of this American supergiant is one that is checkered, and its own records have often put it to shame, before regulators and the courts. Right here, ExxonMobil has been a prime exhibit of the partner from hell.

ExxonMobil has been about anything and everything that richly benefits itself, and what suffocates the promise of this country. Starting with an oil contract that is unspeakable, so reprehensible it is, ExxonMobil has been about pulling every trick in the book to get one over Guyana. A genuine partner does not operate in this greedy manner, not even in the cutthroat world that is about skimming secretly, and profiting perversely at the expense of those who are called partners. ExxonMobil has gone to great lengths to gouge Guyanese of their oil dollars, as the US$7.3 billion audit of Liza 1 and 2 projects has revealed. The US millions in expenses claimed are not about what is frivolous, they reek of what is covetous. From contract to expenses hidden and audits, the reports are of a partner, ExxonMobil, that seeks every opportunity to swindle Guyanese out of their already low oil revenues.

In a context such as this, it is unimaginable, therefore, that the Guyana Government (any government), and Guyana's leaders (any leaders anywhere) could be so casual, so irresponsible, in getting our own meters to monitor the flow of oil from the seabed through the company's systems, and to the storage tanks. At one time, many citizens were in an uproar over parking meters, and all because it was going to cost them. Now, when a bigger network of meters is urgently needed, Guyanese leaders and citizens have developed an acute case of tonsillitis.

The company's production records indicate 400,000 barrels pumped daily. Why should any Guyanese take this at face value, considering how ExxonMobil has come up with novel ways to grab improperly for additional pieces out of Guyana's paltry oil revenues, as the audit found? Which Guyanese leader or layman who still has his head on would place any trust in any record that ExxonMobil provides to the Ministry of Natural Resources? Only a complete tenderfoot would do so. Or someone who is part of ExxonMobil's program, deep into its bag of tricks.

Whatever the cost of getting our own meters, it would be money well spent, and the earlier that they are bought and installed the better for Guyana. There would be our own metering system, and our own people overseeing firsthand how much oil is passing through the pipes and lines, not some secondhand, probably trumped up, numbers from ExxonMobil.

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Decommissioning and restoration costs for oil Dear Editor, Reference is made to your article captioned 'Exxon must now put decommissioning fund in place for all Guyana projects – Minister Bharrat' (KN 1116-2023).

In that article, it is reported that '…the company (EMGL) would have to submit for the minister's approval, a proposed decommissioning plan and budget no later than two years before the expiration of a petroleum licence or no later than two years before the anticipated end of production.'.

Editor, this approach by the Government on this matter is ill-conceived, for to wait until 'two years before the expiration of a petroleum licence or no later than two years before the anticipated end of production' can only be identified as another bill to be paid by Guyana from its already meager share of 14.5 barrels out of every 100 barrels of oil.

It is therefore contended that the budget for the decommissioning of the oil project, and the restoration of the environment, must be components in the cost structure of every barrel of oil that is extracted from the oil reservoir.

N o t a b l y, t h e c o s t structure should include a budget for exploration, development, infrastructural maintenance, operating costs, insurance for an oil spill, the loss of income for the fishing sector, and the cost associated with the decommissioning of the

project, and the restoration of the environment.

For example, if an oil reservoir has 600 million barrels of extractable oil, and the estimated total cost of extracting the oil is US $15.323 billion, then it can be derived that the average total cost of a barrel of oil is US$25.54 (that is,

c o m p l e t e t h e decommissioning and restoration projects, estimated to be on or before some twenty years into the future when the reservoir is commercially exhausted.

Interestingly, since Liza 1 and Liza 2 have been in operation for the last 4 years (2019 to 2023), the

upon current policy makers to publish the financial data showing the amount of money that has been set aside for the DRF. F i n a l l y, i t c a n b e observed that in none of the cost categories identified in Table 1 is there any mention of the price of a barrel of oil.

The reason for highlighting

Table 1: Estimated Cost for Extracting 600 million Bar rells of Oil and Average Cost per Barrell of Oil Share of Total Cost Average Fixed Cost (percent Reservoirs: No. of Barrels (NB) of Oil 600,000,000 per Barrel (ACpB) ) Exploration Cost (a) $ 1,275,000,000.00 $ 2.13 8% Development Cost (b) $ 1,300,000,000.00 $ 2.17 8% Infrastructural Maintenance ( C) $ 1,300,000,000.00 $ 2.17 8% Oil Spill Insurance ( d) $ 4,000,000,000.00 $ 6.67 26% Income Loss for fishing Sector (e) $ 1,148,000,000.00 $ 1.91 7% Decommissioning & Restoration Cost (g) $ 1,500,000,000.00 $ 2.50 10% Total Fixed Cost (FC) = (sum a to g) $ 10,523,000,000.00 $ 17.54 69% Operating Costs (h) $ 4,800,000,000.00 $ 8.00 31% Total Costs (TC) = g + h $ 15,323,000,000.00 $ 25.54 100% Average Total Cost per Barrel (ATCpB) of Oil Breakeven Price $ 25.54

US$15.323 billion divided by 600 million).

Table 1 below contains an identification of the cost categories of a barrel of oil extracted from a hypothetical oil reservoir. It should be noted that decommissioning and restoration costs (US$1.5 Billion) are estimated at US$ 2.50 per barrel of oil, accounting for 10 percent of the average total cost of a barrel of oil at US$25.54 per barrel.

Consequently, allocating US$2.50 per barrel of cost oil and placing these funds in an interest-bearing bank account will guarantee that funds will be available to

Government of Guyana must be able to show the Guyanese people how much money has been deposited in the Decommissioning and Restoration Fund (DRF).

Undoubtedly, this will be the action of a caring Government; and the implication which can be drawn from this considered action is that future generations will not have the anxiety of finding money to clean and restore the environment. In other words, our current policy makers would have done a good job of passing on funds, instead of an unfunded liability to future generations.

Therefore, it is incumbent

this concern is because the cost recovery equation that EMGL employs in the PSA is specified as: Cost recovery is equal to 75 percent of Total Revenue, where Total Revenue is the price of a barrel of oil times the number of barrels of oil.

This arrangement is therefore a fictitious financial story of “a fake cost recovery equation that enables a Profit Squeeze that Guyana endures under the existing PSA”. This conundrum will be explained in another letter.

Sincerely, Dr. C. Kenrick Hunte Professor and Former Ambassador

Guyana oil tax: your future Dear Editor Parliaments decision to createwhat amounts toa zero tax clause in the petroleum production agreement keeps power and wealth in the hands of its foreign counterparties and contributes to Guyana’s economic inequality.

Additionally, it stagnates the potential for sustainable economic growth here in the local land. While the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) should be analyzed in its totality, a few details worth reading are found in Articles 15.2 - 15.4.

The rhetoric inscribed within the agreement places the income tax liability of the multinationals onto the shoulders of the Guyanese taxpayers.

This tax loophole exempts ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd., CNOOC, and Hess (now or soon to transfer to Chevron) from the income tax laws applicable to every other entity doing business in Guyana.

This is a monumental financial loss for all things Guyana; the type of revenue that oil taxes are generating should be making positive tangible changes for

everyday citizens here in the territory.

Ask yourself: Since the beginning of oil production in 2019, has your life or the life of your neighbors improved? Do you feel any richer? Does the outlook on life for your children seem any more prosperous? One can assume your answer to these questions is a resounding “No!” Well, fellow Guyanese, why and how is it that One Guyana, the much-propagandized motto of President Ali, has not been fulfilled?

The question begs, where should Guyanas tax revenue go? Well, look at the superpowers of the modern world, Russia, China, the United States of America. On their ascent to global primacy, how did these countries direct their own tax revenues? Answer: tax resources were allocated towards advantageous entitlement programs such as education systems, roads and bridges, advanced medical care, and technology, just to name a few. By providing local citizens additional opportunities for economic prosperity,

populations of these great nations were able to do more with their lives and, as a result, contributed greatly to the economic development of their respective countries.

More needs to be done by Guyana and its citizens to take an active role in increasing its own share of financial profits generated by offshore drilling. If one wishes to continue drilling into our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ out to 200 nautical miles) with complete disregard for the environment, then the answer is simple: an enforced 40% income tax rate on the oil companies.

Guyana can maintain a strong mutual relationship with the United States without offering one-sided tax breaks. It is illogical to provide oil tax incentives to an organization that generated US$11.7 billion in free cash flow in Q3 2023an increase of US$6.7 billion QOQ (Quarter on Quarter).

Make no mistake about it, Guyana, with its newfound fortunes of oil exploration and future oil reserves, has (Continued on page 6)

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

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The Venezuelan challenge Endorse Alliance with USA to deter Venezuela’s Aggression to Guyana’s border controversy and sovereignty Dear Editor, Our boundary with Venezuela, however, has been settled since 1899, though Venezuela is now rejecting this settlement.

International law also finds room for the principle of sovereignty under law, which should make “the Father of Sovereignty”.

A clear example is the text of the Declaration of Rights and Duties of States, prepared by the International Law Commission of the United Nations. This article reads:”Every State must conduct its relations with other States in accordance with International Law and with the principles that the sovereignty of each State is subject to the s u p r e m a c y o f international law”.

Together with the other countries where we enter collective arrangements, we must participate based on e q u a l i t y. C o l l e c t i v e

arrangements can only assist in the achievement of international cooperation, progressive international economic and social development, and the maintenance of international peace if all participants are equally prepared to merge the exercise of a part of their sovereignty into the common organization.

It is quite true that in the world as it is placed today it is ridiculous to try to stand for the absolute sovereignty of the individual state. For my part, I accept the renunciation of sovereign rights not for itself, not as an end in itself, but as a necessity, as the only means we have of rising above the national egotism, antagonism, and narrowness that are killing us.

The view of international law declares: “No democratic state will agree to limit on its sovereignty other than those which are

voluntary, reciprocal, fair and freely consent to. It will have nothing to do with the limitations of its s o v e re i g n t y t h a t a re unilateral and imposed from without”.

The Venezuela regime’s position seems unreasonable enough, and indeed almost platitudinous, but Ve n e z u e l a ’s c o n s t a n t insistence on its unlimited sovereignty conveys the impression that it is determined to avoid all limitations, even when “voluntary, reciprocal, etc.

Thus, its attitude is a major obstacle to all efforts toward effective international cooperation in the areas of economic zones.

Essequibo belongs to Guyana, by the Tradewinds “Not a blade of grass”.

Yours faithfully, Sherwood Clarke General Secretary Clerical &Commercial Workers Union (CCWU)

Outcome of meeting was decided even before team arrived in Linden Dear Editor It seems the jury is in on the fact finding visit to the mining town last Friday amid claims of partisanship and biasness by the visitors, the manipulating of the visitors and meeting to suit a stated purpose and outcome and the ignoring of brochures countering the claims of some.

The visitors sealed their fate when they chose to have their integrity compromised

by meeting with and locking themselves away with a selected few.

This was compounded further by the limited time given for residents to make presentations and respond to claims.

What other conclusions could be drawn but biasness and lack of transparency intended for a certain outcome.

The ignoring and leaving of the brochures is a clear

reaction to the government’s refusal to meet with the team.

It sent a clear message: you don’t want to hear from us we are not obligated to hear from you.

From all accounts the meeting was a charade. Its outcome was already decided even before the team landed in the Town.

Sincerely Shamshun Mohamed

Dear Editor, Veteran PPP Marxist stalwart and its former Minister for 23 years Clement Rohee, in a media commentary last week, urged that the Guyana government immediately seek the assistance of the USA to counter Venezuela Maduro’s serious threat to Guyana’s territory.

This is a welcome strategic shift and suggested tactical realignment in Guyana’s foreign relations.

This is a reversal of attitude towards USA by left wing Guyanese who consistently and habitually described the USA as the premier imperialist nation — a view that is in opposition to long time political activists like myself and colleagues who had consistently rebuffed the left wingers and advocated for a friendly Guyana alliance with Washington.

My colleagues and I had long seen the USA as a guarantor of security (and democracy) for Guyana and accordingly recommended that position. It has been in Guyana’s geo strategic interest to ally with USA. Venezuela is claiming Essequibo, some two-thirds of Guyana. Venezuela has scheduled a referendum on its claim for December 3 although there is a world court case before the ICJ on the matter.

Venezuelans are expected to overwhelmingly vote yes that Essequibo is part of their country never mind that it has been an integral part of Guyana for a couple of centuries ever since the Essequibo joined with

Demerara and Berbice to form British Guiana.

The Irfaan Ali administration should heed the advice of their senior socialist member and seek help from USA as well as the UN to counter Venezuela’s planned actions regarding our territory.

The matter of the referendum and the military build-up on Venezuela side of the border are serious threats to Guyana’s sovereignty and should immediately be brought to the attention of the UN Security Council. The UN would take appropriate actions. The world would get to understand our predicament and sympathize with us.

Guyana should also raise the matter with allies at all international forums and organisations of which Guyana is a member and other regional organisations around the globe. Guyana must seek help from everywhere, presenting its case that the claimed territory belongs to our country and that the matter is before the world court awaiting a judgement.

The United States, the reigning superpower since the end of the Cold War in 1990, has announced support for Guyana.

The US would gladly embrace and enter into a strategic military alliance or partnership with Guyana, especially that Venezuela under Maduro has a problematic relationship with Washington and has a problematic relationship with Washington and has allied with American rivals Russia and China.

The USA has been watching keenly Maduro’s moves in Guyana. America considers Guyana of strategic value to its economic and security interests. And with recently discovered huge reserves of oil and gas, America would push back against any move to seize Guyana’s territory.

With Middle East in turmoil and the war in Ukraine, Guyana’s energy is critical to USA and the west.

But the security of our natural resources is under threat. Guyana and America have a mutual interest. Such common interest is conducive to a security pact.

Georgetown should heed Rohee’s advice to ask Washington for help. More than that, Guyana should begin charting a new course of strategic partnership with America. Such a move finds support among the diaspora in conversations I have had with them.

There are more Guyanese in USA than in Guyana, and they endorse a USA-Guyana alliance. Guyanese Americans should lobby and pressure politicians in Guyana to enter into a security alliance with USA. They should also lobby Congress and the White House for such a security pact. It is in their interests as well as those of relatives back in Guyana.

Yours faithfully, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday November 22, 2023

The safety and security of this nation and people, is everybody’s business Dear Editor Traffic craziness, carelessness and confusion continue on the carriageways leading to constant corruption, chaos and carnage as more lives are wasted and lost, pedestrians and passengers are dismembered and injured and survivors and families remain hurt, humiliated and hapless.

Despite the cries, pleas and advise from The President, the Police and all stakeholders throughout Guyana, recklessness is a daily feature that can be observed by the minute on the roads and streets by unconcerned users, be it drivers, riders, bicyclists, pedestrians, workers and maintenance crew. No wonder there has been a 71 percent increase in road fatalities resulting in 151 deaths from 129 recorded accidents, as revealed by the Traffic Chief last week.

The grave situation is as

a result of many studies, monitored and noted reasons, causes, explanations, analysis and opinions, discussed and written already, including a failed system and an u n d i s c i p l i n e d s o c i e t y.

Recommendations for corrections and supplements to the rules and regulations, traffic laws, increased penalties and education, better and more roads to enhance improvement and prevent accidents, have all been tried and tested but are yet to curb or control the madness that is exercised and executed by a number of users and abusers, be it men, women and children, both male and female, experienced and novice.

The brandished, befuddled and bewildered behavior beats the brain as injured parties bemoan the tragic incident occurred last week when a two-week-old married cop was killed by a speeding driver, allegedly

intoxicated and who ignored the stop light to slam into the officer and her colleague who were manning a roadblock outside the BV Police Station. Perhaps, this is the epitome of a sad and unfortunate incident, demonstrating the callous, cruel and calamitous carelessness of a catastrophic driver.

This demonic drama demonstrates the demand for another penalty review.

Any drunk driver convicted of causing an accident resulting in the death of anyone, should be fined heavily, sentenced to nothing less than ten years imprisonment and should be banned for life from driving or riding any motorized vehicle. Tough times call for tough measures.

Last holiday Monday, 47 bicyclists were observed during the evening hours between 6:15 to 6:45 in Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank

Essequibo, at a popular junction on the main road. 45 did not display any headlights or reflectors while only one had a red reflector attached to the back wheel and another rider pitched his phone light as a warning or guidance.

There were numerous motor bikes, all of the riders speeding and wearing no helmets, two of them without any headlights on. Five Ebikes travelled the route without any headlights on, one of the riders was 12 or 13 years of age.

Many drivers were speeding on this busy road and three of them were driving without any lights on. 6 cars plied the route with loud, lawless and lewd music blaring as if they were playing at an open concert.

Many cars and mini buses stopped at the Chinese Supermarket.

The drivers and other occupants purchased beers and consumed same on the premise while competing to play their different music at high volume, much to the annoyance of the aggrieved residents in the area. Why do shop owners tolerate this nuisance? A police outpost is located within hearing and seeing distance! Imagine what is happening in the rest of the country!

This is not an exaggerated situation but a

norm in many areas. The police, public and private domain are well aware, acquainted and acknowledge this typical scenario.

There are many drivers and riders who obey the traffic law and act within the parameters of rules and regulations while operating with patience and diligence to adhere to the famous five Cs: care, caution, consideration, common sense and courtesy.

They should be commended. There are also many police officers who maintain the dignity of their uniforms to uphold honor by practicing and applying the l a w. T h e y s h o u l d b e recognised and awarded appropriately. Those road users who flaunt the law should be ashamed of themselves. Of course, they dont care and are not remorse over a guilty conscience.

They are simply mean and will remain a menace.

Those officers who “collect” instead of caution and correct others or fail to comply with the law, are a disgrace and detriment to the Force and should be dismissed.

As adumbrated before and is prevalent in many countries, unmarked cars should be used to patrol our roadways in order to catch those who break the law on

the roadway.

The placement of more CCTVs and cameras are needed for surveillance on all the roads, not only a few.

Plain clothes officers should be riding the mini buses to uphold the law by ensuring drivers are in strict compliance. Traffic lights are needed also in the rural areas. Radar guns should be a daily usage by the police.

Police should not hesitate to issue traffic tickets, including for over-loading.

Conductors on mini buses believe that they are DJs on a dance floor. Many can be seen drinking beers while on duty and in the buses. Overcharging is rampant.

Many buses refuse short drop passengers unless you pay a long drop premium.

Also, discrimination is practiced by choosing selected passengers. Is there a mini bus association? The Ministry for Commerce and Business may want to intervene along with others, including the Consumers Affairs Association, in order to protect and provide for passengers who are at the mercy of bus drivers. The safety and security of this nation and people, is everybodys business.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

Guyana oil tax...

From page 4 a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make things right for its people. This country is sitting on a liquid gold mine and this “gold” has the capacity to change the lives of every single Guyanese living today, including those unborn in the future. Let this letter be a loud proclamation to the great country that is Guyana.

Take note and hear these words clearly: If you do not pay attention to the vast amount of riches that are at your seashore, at minimum, you will have guaranteed that your children and your childrens children will remain living a life full of uncertainty, and you will have failed at giving them the greatest opportunity that Guyanas history could have afforded them.

Sincerely, Candice Dorwish

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

The PPP claims to be transparent and accountable. If this is the case why are ministers and the Vice President always ducking from the tough questions and the media?

“Move on,” “ask Vick,” and the famous “I'm not dealing with that today” are the infamous responses by former President, Bharrat Jagdeo who is tasked with overseeing oil and gas sector.

Jagdeo rather entertain jokers like the Guyanese Critic for a talk show instead of giving the nation answers on the management of its resources.

There could only be one reason for withholding information.

Reeking of corruption, Jagdeo, for all his transgressions should do the honourable thing and resign.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 22, 2023

PAGE 09

What is the interest rate?

A

t his first press conference, held after more than three years as a minister, the Minister of Natural Resources., Mr. Vickram Bharrat, said: “The government is not directly investing in the oil and gas sector” and that this is a mistaken idea that some people have.

The minister's statement is quite a naïve way of answering a fundamental question about which, the government has been evasive: What is the interest rate that ExxonMobil and its joint venture partners are charging to the government for the investment that is being made in Guyana?

The fact of the matter is that the government is investing in the oil and gas sector. It has a sunken investment in the form of the oil and gas resources. These resources belong to the people of Guyana and it is their investment in the oil and gas sector. Ironically, while Guyana and the oil companies are splitting profits half and half (after deducting expenses, of course), Guyana is carrying all the risks. Once oil was

discovered, the entire Basin was de-risked in the sense that the oil companies can recover whatever investments they made.

If oil was not discovered, then the oil companies would have had to bear the total precontract costs. But once the companies struck oil, they can recover their expenses at Guyana's cost. In other words, our investment is not only the oil that is being exploited but we are also repaying the oil companies every blind cent that they incur in bringing up the oil or what is called operational costs. The oil companies are not carrying the risks; it is Guyana that is carrying the risks. But Guyana is not only fetching the financial risks associated with the project. It is also shouldering the environmental risks. The absence of a full liability guarantee means that for Guyana to be indemnified due to any loss or damage, it will either have to depend on the goodwill of the oil companies to honour those obligations, or it will have to sue the oil companies.

International arbitration processes are not resolved overnight and the legal fees

are enormous. In the event on an oil spill, Guyana cannot afford neither.

But back to the issue of the interest rate. Obviously, the oil companies do not have a piggy bank with US$30B standing by to make the investments which they claim they have made in Guyana.

Therefore they have to borrow the money. And it is only fair that if they are going to reclaim costs, including their capital expenditure, they should be able to reclaim the interest which they have to make to procure and install the equipment for oil exploration and drilling.

But is it not also a reasonable entitlement that since Guyana must repay the money that Exxon says it invested, that Guyana knows the interest rate that is being charged. Suppose Exxon says that the rate is multiple times what exists internationally for such borrowing. Should Guyana be obligated to pay some unknown interest rate?

The government is being reckless in not declaring what is the interest rate which is being charged by the oil companies on their

Police looking for wounded bandit in Supermarket robbery The recovery of a blood stained hoodie with bullet holes have led police to believe that one of the gunmen involved in Monday night's robbery at the a South Ruimveldt Supermarket is wounded.

Police in a statement said “A red and black hoodie, that one of the suspects was wearing was found on the street where they had ran way”. According to the investigators the hoodie was blood stained and had two bullet holes.

“It is suspected that the said bandit who was wearing the said hoodie was shot”, Police said. Police also recovered two 9MM spent shells from the scene during investigations.

At around 19:00hrs on Monday three men armed with two handguns and wearing surgical masks carried out a robbery at the Lucky Central Supermarket, Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

It was no easy task for them, however, because one of the customers, a presidential guard traded bullets with them after they entered firing shots indiscriminately. Another customer, Colin Saul was shot to his lower back by the bandits during shooting but investigations are now revealing that he might not be the only one that left the scene wounded.

It appears as if one of the bandits was shot after the presidential guard returned fire and police are now looking for him and his accomplices.

Kaieteur News reported on Tuesday that it was a scene like the movies when an armed

customer at the Lucky Central Supermarket on Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt Park, fired back at two gun-toting men who attempted to rob the business location on Monday night.

Police reports are that the bandits had disarmed the security guard at the Supermarket of his loaded gun, a 9MM pistol before entering the supermarket and opening fire.

“Two men went in the supermarket armed with guns and started firing,” an Eyewitness had recalled.

Police said that owner of the business, Lee, male Chinese National, 40 sought cover as the bandits stole a number of Digicel and GT&T Cellphone Cards.

As the drama unfolded, and several customers ran for cover, an armed member of the presidential guard peeked out from behind an aisle and reportedly fired back at the gunmen.

Police identified him as a police Corporal and said he shot at the bandits five times. The gunmen then retreated and ran away.

The gunmen ran out of the building and their getaway car drove off, leaving one of the perpetrators behind. He reportedly ran along Aubrey Barker Road and turned into the Festival City Exit, and disappeared under the streetlights as he headed in the direction of Sophia.

The injured customer, Colin Saul is presently hospitalized in a stable condition.

Investigations are ongoing.

investment and how this interest rate compares with global interest rates for the sector. Suppose Exxon were to say that they borrowed US$40B this year alone to invest in Guyana. Suppose they claim that they are repaying this sum to their creditors at an interest rate of 10 percent. This would mean that Guyana would have to repay the oil companies US$4B per annum in interest payments alone. This will be far in excess of what Guyana will be earning from its oil revenues for this year. It speaks to the quality of governance over the oil and gas sector that such a fundamental issue as interest

rates on investment (not rate of return) the government is silent. There has been a stubborn refusal and downright evasiveness by the government is giving a direct answer to a direct question. It was hoped that during his inaugural press conference that the Minister with responsibility for Natural Resources would have been more enlightening on this question.

Perhaps, it is time for a new approach to obtain the necessary answers. Perhaps it is time for this question to be put to the oil companies.

After all, when the previous government was pussyfooting with making

public the Production Sharing Agreement, it was ExxonMobil which announced that it had no objection to the said contract being made public. And after all, Jagdeo was suggesting that the auditors get the production data from the government.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Wednesday Monday November May 02,22, 2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Bharrat Jagdeo condemns himself, eats his own words Guyana's Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, knows better. He knows how to manage the government's business better. He knows that he has to manage the oil business much better. Most of all, Bharrat Jagdeo is fully aware that there is a crying need for him to manage himself better.

Because he is fearful of addressing the latter, he has failed at the others, and whatever else is left unsaid.

The heavy lifting, the dirty job, is left to me.

Occasionally, I am treated to a tape that conveys pieces of the Vice President's

weekly press conferences. I grimace. The voice heard, and the tones and temperature are not those of a national leader.

Can't be. Those tricky answers cannot be from an Oil Czar in full control of his senses, the demands of his crucial portfolio. Really not so.

The impatience and arrogance are not of a citizen who was country head for 12 years.

Just shouldn't be. I say no more; nothing heavier or sharper. Like I said, the former headman knows better, and should take greater care that he doesn't

register locally and overseas as an out-of-control headcase.

As is, I won't. I come not to beatdown on Bharrat Jagdeo, but to give him a hand, to open his eyes, and reveal to him the side of him that he prefers stays secret, hence untouched.

Listening to Dr. Jagdeo and his surliness with oil issues, I say to myself: this is not the same man from a few short years back.

Parsing through his new positions and newer vocabulary (hedges and herrings), I hear a man sounding as I used to before

(investors and returns). This is the born again Jagdeo, a holy roller blasting for runs, like Rohan Kanhai.

The concern is that brother Bharrat is not scoring for Guyana, but for the opposing team, ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd. Quick aside: the only thing Guyana in that name change is the maximum that could be extracted from here at the least cost, and with the least interference.

Then, I hear Guyana's Oil Champion talking up a storm for Exxon, and I ask myself: where did this incarnation of Jagdeo come from? As the

leader Jagdeo rails in raucous recklessness at d i s s e n t i n g commentators, and the independent press that is critical, something dawned on me. This was Jagdeo three to four years ago denouncing the 2016 oil contract at his most feverish pitch, when he was Leader of the Opposition.

He was degrading more than the PNC Government for the contract; he was also degrading that other party to the same 2016 oil contract, Exxon.

The contract and Exxon go together, cannot be separated. This is regardless of how much the PNC Government contributed, and was rightly blistered by then Mr. Jagdeo, who was not so hung-up on honorary recognition and worship.

Exxon was the contract then, and the same Jagdeocondemned contract is Exxon today. Castigating the contract, thus, means kicking Exxon, its architect.

But today, the new and improved Bharrat Jagdeo criticizes (some say curse) those who do the same thing that he once did for a long season with that Exxon contract.

Today, Bharrat Jagdeo imagines himself to be some dusky imitation of a Native American Indian kowtowing and catering to the commands of the Great White Fathers in Duke Street and Texas, with Ogle in the making.

Today, Bharrat Jagdeo takes offense at commentators and the unbeholden media that stand for the exact same issues about contract (Exxon) perversities as he once did, save for differences in language and forms of presentation.

Today, Bharrat Jagdeo is up in arms against those who are saying, writing, doing what he would have been representing were he still the Opposition Leader.

I repeat so that Guyanese everywhere grasp this startling assertion and point: if Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo was still the Leader of the Opposition, he would be the loudest voice, the strongest presence, the most consistent spirit against the oil contract.

As I said before, because Exxon is inseparable from the oil contract, then in some sketch, shape, or schematic, Jagdeo would have been, (no matter how unstated, how unrepresented) against Exxon.

To d a y, p a t r i o t i c Guyanese commentators and media reporters are concentrating, writing, and speaking about what was dearest to Jagdeo some three plus years ago.

In other words, they are continuing the work that Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo was very much in the thick of just a few moons hence. Therefore, when Dr. Jagdeo is incensed at those who point to Exxon and call him out, he can only be incensed at himself. That is, unless he has eaten his own words, and there is no trouble doing so. Unless he has come to a new understanding (unaided by Exxon) of how the world of oil really works.

To e m p h a s i s e m y unchanging efforts in this country, there is no interest, no value to me, in making Vice President Jagdeo, Guyana's World Champion of Oil down to the canvas.

My sole objective is to lift this country up.

This means that my brother Bharrat could be lifted up too. But only if he is of that mind. I am here to heal not deal.

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

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 22, 2023

PAGE 19

South African leader accuses Israel of war crimes ...Putin and Xi strike more cautious note at meeting CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Israel of war crimes and acts “tantamount to genocide” in Gaza during a virtual meeting Tuesday of leaders of developing countries, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping.

Ramaphosa also condemned Hamas for its attack on Israeli civilians that sparked the war in Gaza and said both sides were guilty of violating international law.

“The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime,” Ramaphosa said at the start of the meeting of leaders and top diplomats from the BRICS bloc of countries.

“The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide.”

“In its attacks on civilians and by taking hostages, Hamas has also violated international law and must be held accountable for these

actions,” Ramaphosa said.

Putin and Xi struck more cautious notes, calling for a cease-fire and the release of civilian hostages but not launching the same level of criticism of either side as Ramaphosa. Also joining the meeting were leaders and officials from fellow BRICS members Brazil and India, and from Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, which are set to join the bloc in January.

Ramaphosa chaired the “extraordinary meeting” and made the opening remarks because of South Africa's position as current chair of BRICS. Putin said there was a “humanitarian catastrophe” unfolding in Gaza and it was “shocking to watch how surgeries are performed on children without anesthesia.” He again blamed the crisis on what he called failed diplomacy by the United States.

“All these events, in fact, are a direct consequence of the U.S. desire to monopolize mediation functions in the PalestinianIsraeli settlement,” Putin

said while appearing on teleconference from the Kremlin.

He called for a cease-fire in Gaza, the freeing of hostages and the evacuation of civilians from the Gaza Strip.

Putin's comments were in line with Russia's careful approach to the IsraelHamas war, which may present an opportunity for it to advance its role as a global p o w e r b r o k e r. P u t i n proposed last month that Moscow could mediate in the conflict due to its relationships with both Israel and the Palestinians. He said Tuesday that the BRICS bloc could play “a key role” in finding a political settlement.Putin has condemned the Oct. 7 attack

by Hamas militants on towns in southern Israel that led to Israel's offensive in Gaza, now in its seventh week, while warning Israel over its response and against blockading the Gaza Strip.

M o r e t h a n 11 , 0 0 0 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, two-thirds of them women and minors, and more than 2,700 others are missing and believed to be

buried under rubble, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

The ministry says it has been unable to update its count since Nov. 11 because of the health sector's collapse.

Gaza health officials say the toll has risen sharply since, and hospitals continue to report deaths from daily strikes, often dozens at a time.

The Health Ministry in the West Bank last reported a toll of 13,300 but stopped providing its own count Tuesday without giving a reason. Because of that, and because officials there declined to explain in detail how they tracked deaths after Nov. 11, the AP decided to stop reporting its count.

The Health Ministry toll does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

Israel says it has killed thousands of Hamas militants but has not provided evidence for its count. Russia and China are leading voices in BRICS, which has largely cast itself in recent years as standing against the perceived

dominance of the West in global affairs.

But it has struggled to adopt united policies or positions on many issues because of the differing priorities of the five current members.

The meeting came a day after China's top diplomat hosted the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Indonesia in Beijing, their first stop on a tour of U.N. Security Council permanent members. That underlined China's longstanding support for the Palestinians and its growing geopolitical influence.

India, which also wants to be seen as a leader of the developing world, has long walked a tightrope between Israel and the Palestinians and historically has close ties to both.

South Africa has been fiercely critical of Israel over the war in Gaza and had already filed a request with the International Criminal Court to investigate it's over alleged war crimes. South Africa has for years compared Israel's policies in

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa Gaza and the West Bank with its own past apartheid regime of racial segregation.

Ramaphosa called for the International Criminal Court t o “ u rg e n t l y ” i n i t i a t e prosecutions against those responsible for what he termed war crimes on both sides and said South Africa also wants to see a cease-fire and the deployment of a U.N. force to monitor the cease-fire.

Later Tuesday, a large majority of South African lawmakers voted in favor of a motion to shut down the Israeli Embassy and cut diplomatic ties with Israel until it agrees to a cease-fire in Gaza. Israel had recalled its ambassador for consultations before the vote took place.

CEASEFIRE: Israel's government approves deal for four-day Gaza truce, captive release (AL JAZEERA)- The Israeli cabinet has agreed to a temporary ceasefire deal that will enable the release of about 50 people who have been held captive in Gaza since the Hamas armed group stormed southern Israel on October 7.

The agreement came after talks on a Qatar-mediated deal that continued into the early hours of Wednesday morning, with Israeli media reporting heated exchanges between ministers of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

In the end, only three of the 38 members of the cabinet voted against the truce – National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two other members of his farright political party.

The prime minister's office said the deal would require Hamas to release at least 50 women and children during a four-day “pause in fighting”. For every additional 10 hostages released, the pause would be extended by a day, it said, without mentioning the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

“Israel's government is committed to return all the hostages home. Tonight, it approved the proposed deal as a

first stage to achieving this goal,” the statement said.

Hamas, which controls Gaza, also released a statement, confirming that 50 women and children currently held in the territory would be freed in exchange for Israel releasing 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails.

It said that Israel would also stop all military actions in Gaza, and that hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian, medical and fuel aid would be allowed into the territory.

The accord is the first truce of a war in which Israel has flattened vast swathes of Gaza, which is home to about 2.3 million people.

Palestinian officials say at least 14,100 people have been killed, while the United Nations says about 1.7 million people have been forced from their homes. Hamas killed at least 1,200 people in its attack on Israel.Officials from Qatar, the United States, Israel and Hamas have for days been saying a deal was imminent.

Qatar is likely to make the formal announcement on the ceasefire with the first captives being released about 24 hours after that.Ahead of the meeting to

Egyptian medics stand by with incubators to receive premature Palestinian babies evacuated from Gaza to the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing on November 20, 2023. [AFP] discuss the deal, Netanyahu stressed that Israel's broader mission had not changed.

“We are at war and we will continue the war until we achieve all our goals,” he said in a recorded message. “To destroy Hamas, return all our hostages and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel.”Analysts said the international community should use the pause to try and secure an end to the fighting.

“In the coming days, more aid will come in, more fuel, hopefully more medical supplies and the most seriously injured can be

evacuated, but beyond that, in these coming days of pause, there needs to be massive pressure on Israel to not recommence the fighting at the end of this period,” Antony Loewenstein, an independent journalist and author based in Australia, told Al Jazeera. ”About 237 captives from Israel and several other countries are thought to be in Gaza, but foreign nationals are not thought to be part of the agreement.

Hamas has released only four captives since the abductions took place more than a month ago – an American mother and her daughter

and two elderly Israeli women.

It has said some of the captives were killed in the Israeli bombardment.

The Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group which was also involved in Hamas's October 7 raid, said late on Tuesday that one of the Israelis it was holding captive had died.

“We previously expressed our willingness to release her for humanitarian reasons but the enemy was stalling and this led to her death,” they said on their Telegram channel.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

ExxonM free to recover...

From page 14 “kitchen table economics” since the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) rakes in a mere 1.36% in interest but the country could be borrowing loans at an average 10% interest rate.

IMF advice Several international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have warned Guyana about the abuse that can take place when companies are allowed to recover 100 percent of the interest on its investments.

In fact, the IMF c a u t i o n e d i n independent reports that Guyana should, as a protective measure, should cap the interest

that is allowed for recovery.

In a 2018 report, the IMF said “the treatment of interest expenses in the Stabroek Block PSA is very generous, constituting an important source of possible revenue leakage.”

In fact, the IMF said it examined several scenarios which illustrated how “excessive or abusive” oil companies can be in the use of loans to fund oil projects.

The IMF said it examined three scenarios, one of which looked at 75 percent to 100 percent of the development costs for the Liza One and Liza Two Projects in the Stabroek Block being funded by loans with a repayment period over 10 years with a 10 percent interest rate. The

IMF said the revenue loss could be as high as US$2.6B. Such a practice, the organization said can have a “detrimental impact” on government revenue.

The financial institution was also keen to highlight the uniqueness of the Stabroek Block PSA, in that it allows the recovery of interest as an expense, irrespective of where the financing is sourced from.

It therefore means that instead of using a bank or other traditional sources, ExxonMobil Corporation can provide its subsidiary (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) in the Stabroek Block with loans, charge an interest, and recover same without worry.

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

Drunk driver gets manslaughter for killing cop at roadblock WANTED

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Two Housekeepers needed for hotel and one Nanny preferably from ECD. 223-5273/ 225-0254.

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One Handyman needed to work in Peter's Hall. Call: 6748723.

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FOR RENT 4 bedroom furnished house, 6 beds and 2 parking available at Lamaha Gardens, Garnett street. Call: 679-2966.

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Vacancy for a Maid and a night Watchman cleaner.

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Fitzroy Aulder, 44, the driver who killed a policewoman at a roadblock last week at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara was on Tuesday charged with manslaughter when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court.

Aulder of Front Road East Ruimveldt, Georgetown appeared at the court before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool. He pleaded not guilty to the offence and was remanded to prison until December 15, 2023. Aulder around 22:00 hrs on Thursday last jumped a red traffic light near the Beterverwating Police Station while behind the wheels of a Jeep, bearing registration PVV 8278, and ploughed into two police women-killing one of them on the spot and leaving the other in a critical condition.

Following a breathalyzer test administered by the police, Aulder's blood alcohol level was found to be 67 percent-way above the legal limit.

The dead police woman was identified as Constable Annette Abel and her injured colleague was identified as Inspector Shenay Castello.

Police said that Castello and Abel along with other ranks were performing traffic duties at a roadblock in front of the Beterverwagting Police Station when tragedy struck.

Castello was reportedly commanding the roadblock while Abel, Corporal Keshan Collins, Lance Corporal Jenella Jonas, Constable Brian Tappin and Constable Wayne Daniels were assisting her.

Abel had just pulled over two cars in a routine traffic stop when Aulder jumped the

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Slapped with a motor manslaughter charge for killing a policewoman at a roadblock, Fitzroy Aulder

Govt. spent over $2B this ...

From page 16 accommodate some 750 students.

Back in September Region Three benefitted from a new $93 million secondary school located at De Willem. The new school currently accommodates over 350 learners.

In addition to the new schools commissioned this year, the Education Ministry also cut ribbons for a number of new teaching blocks at various schools.

These are the $172.6 million new Samuel B. Moffat Wing at East Ruimveldt Secondary School, the new $515.07 million Sister Hazel Campayne Block at the St

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Rose’s High School, the new $ $95.4 million Mrs. Maureen Massiah Wing at the Bishops’ High School, the $103.5 million Doodnauth Hetram block at Queen’s College, and the $85 million Ms. Avril Crawford Block at the St. Winefride’s Secondary School.

At one of the commissioning ceremonies, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand had stated that the Government of Guyana is investing in children across Guyana and will continue to do so to produce the quality of citizens that can further develop and move Guyana forward.

Agri Ministry yet to release FAO study on...

From page 13 that the fishing and shrimp sector have reduced since 2019. Bank of Guyana (BoG) statistics reveal as follows for shrimp (in tonnes) 201915,808, 2020- 13,543, 202110,962 and in 2022- 10,214.

Meanwhile, the Bank reported the following production of fish (in tonnes): 2019- 22,336, 2020- 19,993, 2021- 20,628, 2022- 23,389.

ERM’s Senior Project Manager and Technical Support, Jason Willey recently explained that during production activities offshore, the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels require sea water to be used as a cooling substance.

He also pointed out that the sea water is required on a “continuous basis” for this purpose.More importantly,

‘CARICOM must remain...

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red light with his jeep at the junction of Republic Drive and the public road. Aulder reportedly knocked down a line of traffic cones which were set-up at the roadblock.

He then drove into the women.

The motorist slammed into Abel, pinning her initially into one of the cars she had pulled over. The man's jeep then turned turtle, injuring him and the passengers traveling along with him. In the ensuing collision, the car which Abel was pinned to crashed into another other car that the woman had pulled over. The second car knocked down one of the drivers as well as Inspector Castello and some other officers.An ambulance was summoned and Constable Abel was pronounced dead at the scene and those injured were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Aulder was promptly arrested.

In 2015, Aulder was accused of driving a minibus recklessly resulting in the death of Romel Junor on Durban Street. He was charged and remanded to prison. His lawyer had repeatedly argued on his behalf that Junor had caused his own death by walking the road drunk. Aulder had alleged that the pedestrian walked into his path.Persons had testified that Junor had indeed left a bar in 'high spirits' with friends just moments before meeting his demise. Aulder was later cleared of all charges after the magistrate found him not guilty.

From page 18 position of Trinidad and Tobago, it is Venezuela. Because it was a Venezuelan issue where Venezuelan lifeblood was at stake that Trinidad and Tobago took its most public and principled position.”

He then referred to the 1970 Port-of-Spain Protocol, in which T&T’s first Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Williams, contributed to negotiating a 12-year moratorium on Venezuela’s

reclamation of the Essequibo.

“We are confident that the governments of Venezuela and Guyana would know that CARICOM’S position must be, and remain, a zone of peace is the best position for all of us. “And secondly, we all know that even in the darkest hour, Trinidad and Tobago’s position was that if difficulties arise, the response ought to be dialogue, dialogue and dialogue.”

Willey, a biologist within the ERM team explained that thousands, if not millions of fish eggs could be lost in the process, should this activity occur during spawning or reproductive season. “If the intake occurs at a time when like a spawning event happens, let’s say like when the fish are reproducing, and a lot of eggs and a lot of larvae are in the water, there can be thousands lost, potentially many more than that,” he said.

The biologist added, “It also depends on how many of those eggs and larva a certain species produces. Some produce millions of eggs and larva per single female, some produce a handful so it’s a large number of eggs and larva that could potentially be lost.”

Be that as it may, Willey sought to polish his response by indicating that this does not mean Guyana could potentially lose thousands or millions of fish product on the market.

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Wednesday November 22, 2023

error’ contributed to Teen brutally beaten ‘Human scandalous report PAC on Region by gang for standing Five fuel distribution - Mahipaul up for mother An 18-year-old man was brutally beaten by a gang of men on Monday afternoon after he rebuked them for verbally abusing his mother by their home at Soesdyke Junction, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The victim has been identified as Akeel Loel. The suspects are known by their aliases as, “Mark”, “Simba”, “Latto”, “Red Man”, “Burice”, “Sammy” and “James".

The step-father of the victim informed this publication that, Mark approached his wife at her shop, asking for her elder son who was not there at the time. Due to the mother not responding to other questions from Mark he allegedly got enraged and started to verbally abuse her. “Mark and this bai get some problem, so when he come asking for she son, she said, don't ask me fuh mi son,” the step-father indicated.

Following this more persons reportedly joined Mark, as he insulted Loel's mother. Loel, who was close by, reportedly intervened, by telling Mark, “Do not speak to my mother like that, don't disrespect she.”

This reportedly made Mark more upset and he was caught on camera advancing and threatening Loel to, “shoot him for fun.” Not long after, Mark returned with a gang of men with cutlasses and attacked Loel, assaulting him brutally. “This boy received over 200 lashes from them man, they just kept coming and lashing he up,” the step-father related.

His mother was seen on camera trying to fight off the irate men by putting herself in harm's way to protect her son. After the brawl, the stepfather highlighted that Loel was rushed to the Military Health Center, but was then transferred by ambulance to Diamond

Region Five official at the PAC hearing on Monday

A

Some of the injuries Akeel Loel received from the brutal beating Hospital.

Loel sustained multiple injuries on his head, which included a swollen left eye, a slash which required stitches right above the left eye and another slash on his head. Loel also received injuries about his body and a slash on one of his fingers. Subsequently, a report was lodged to the Police, but according to Loel's family members, ranks have made no attempts to arrest the suspects who returned to vandalize their shop.

China Heavy-Duty Truck Group 'Sinotruk' takes legal action against unauthorised Guyanese reseller Prominent Guyanese businessman and founder of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales Nasrudeen Mohamed, has officially expressed concerns for members of the Guyanese business community who fell victim to false advertising on the importation of the brand 'Sinotruk' Dump Trucks.

With over 32 years of experience and the holder of two exclusive franchise rights (XCMG & Sinotruk) Jumbo Jet has been instrumental in the growth of the mining, agricultural and construction sectors through the importation of thousands of heavy-duty machines, trucks & vehicles.

In a press release Jumbo Jet said that companies that continue to infringe on the legally-binding agreement between the China National Heavy-Duty Truck Group and Jumbo Jet Auto Sales

will be subjected to injunctions and swift legal action.

The demand for this new dump truck has increased tremendously, especially the 6X4 and 6X6 units.

“Thus far our customers have been extremely pleased w i t h t h e d u r a b i l i t y, r e l i a b i l i t y, o f f r o a d capabilities and the increased payload capacity of the units bought from Jumbo Jet Auto Sales who trade on their excellent after sale service and flexible payment plans.

When contacted to comment on the false advertising by local companies Mr. Taonaijie General Manager of Caribbean Operations: “We have issued an official legal document to a Guyanese businessman who is presently advertising the sale of dump trucks without

authorization.

When the footage was reviewed by our legal team a representative of the said company is seen in an interview uttering misleading and contradicting information about the said Sinotruk.

All unauthorised resellers both local and international will be served with legal documents to secure the binding agreement between the two official parties with the maximum penalty in the form of liquidated damages in the millions of US Dollars.”

Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and The China National Heavy-Duty Truck Group entered into a contractual agreement whereas Jumbo Jet will have exclusive rights to import and distribute all Sinotruk, HOWO & CNHTC brands in Guyana.

human error may have led to a scandalous report being presented before the Public Accounts Committee about Regional Council of Region Five's management and distribution of fuel under the previous A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance for Change ( A P N U + A F C ) Administration in 2019.

The Auditor General's report for that year shows fuel was purchased for 26 vehicles that were not in the region's inventory. The report said that there were 18 instances where 1195 litres of fuel were purchased for a vehicle, with licence plate PTT 1184, amounting to $253,913 in 2019. The year before, there were 41 instances of fuel being purchased for 26 vehicles that weren't in the region's inventory, totalling almost $500,000.

Additionally, there were some 35 instances totalling $282,619, where the bill date was before the date on the requisition to purchase.

The Audit Office had recommended that the regional administration put systems in place to ensure that all fuel purchased is only for vehicles owned and operated by the region, and that fuel is properly accounted for and utilised in an efficient manner During a hearing of the PAC on Monday, members of the PAC raised serious concerns over breaches in the Region Five administration's stores regulations, which were revealed in the 2019 Auditor General (AG) Report, which highlighted fuel was purchased for 26 vehicles that were not in the region's inventory.

However, it was pointed out that the service station had erroneously submitted vehicle numbers, creating an illusion of a scandal. The PAC also heard that one of the vehicles which collected fuel belonged to someone who was not part of the

Opposition MP, Ganesh Mahipaul

region. “Something is not right…. Let's see if we can get to the bottom of it and fix it. Because that practice that you are having right now is what you had in 2019, clearly, it's not the right practice… It is a breach of the store's regulations…,” Ganesh Mahipaul Opposition MP and Chair of the meeting said.

It was explained that at times, the region found that there was a “mix up” of the bill number, wrong figures and vehicle numbers that did not “match up” with the vehicle on their inventory.

PAC member Bishop Juan Edghill said that the region would have received management letters about these “human errors” before the AG finalised his report, and nothing was done.

In a statement following the meeting, Mahipaul sought to clarify that the issue. He noted that Regional authorities had explained that the errors were human, with the incorrect use of, for example, 'PWW' instead of 'PVV.' Mahipaul said to further validate their claims, the PAC sought verification from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which confirmed that most vehicle numbers did not exist in their

records. “This revelation strongly suggests that a genuine mistake occurred on the part of the service station.

However, to ensure an impartial conclusion, the PAC directed the Auditor General to conduct a thorough investigation. The aim is to verify the Region's defense, reconcile any discrepancies, and determine if there are substantial issues surrounding the distribution of fuel to authorized vehicles in the Region. The matter remains open and is yet to be conclusively addressed by the PAC.” Mahipaul said in an attempt to debunk newspaper reports that highlighted the scandal.

The Opposition MP stressed further that the dissemination of information to the public demands a commitment to truth and accuracy, with credibility as the foremost priority. “My response to these misleading reports is absolutely necessary, as we cannot permit misinformation to erode the foundations of our democratic principles. The media must rise above partisan interests and uphold the responsibility of being impartial conveyors of information for the public good,” he said.

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 22, 2023

US coach Berhalter slams 'inexcusable' Dest after Trinidad defeat AFP - United States coach Gregg Berhalter slammed the "inexcusable" sending off of defender Sergino Dest on Monday after his team stumbled to a 2-1 defeat against Trinidad & Tobago in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Despite the loss, the US advanced to the semi-finals of the Nations League -- and sealed their place in next year's Copa America -- with a 4-2 aggregate quarter-final victory.

But what should have been a routine second leg in Port of Spain was made harder than it needed to be after Dest's dismissal towards the end of the first half.

The US at the time were leading 10 after Antonee Robinson's 25thminute header and appeared to be cruising into the last four.

But the match was turned on its head in the 39th minute after a moment of madness from Dest.

The US defender was booked by

referee Walter Lopez after kicking the ball away petulantly, and then picked up a second yellow card after continuing to harangue the Guatemalan official.

Trinidad subsequently equalised through Reon Moore on 43 minutes and then scored a winner through Alvin Jones' free-kick on 57 minutes.

Although Trinidad never looked like scoring the five goals they required to win on aggregate, Berhalter could not hide his fury at Dest's self-inflicted red card after the game."He put a number of guys in jeopardy, made a number of guys do a lot of extra work in this weather, and it's inexcusable," Berhalter said of Dest.

"We pride ourselves in staying mentally disciplined, battling through any type of conditions, whether they're good decisions or bad decisions. We're supposed to keep going and respond in

an appropriate way, and that obviously wasn't the right response from Sergino."

Dest, who had been lambasted by team-mates Tim Ream and Matt Turner as he trudged off following his red card, issued an apology on Instagram after the game.

"I want to apologize to my teammates, staff and fans and whole nation for my behavior; it was unacceptable, selfish, and immature," Dest wrote on Instagram.

"I let my team down. It's something I have to learn from and it won't happen again."US goalscorer Robinson described Dest's dismissal as a "moment of unprofessionalism."

"Disappointed we didn't get the win," Robinson said. "We started the game pretty well and had things under control and then a moment of unprofessionalism kind of went against us.

Wednesday November 22, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19 Uncertainty about your financial future might have you developing some sort of savings or investment plan to give you more security.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A joint endeavor with a partner could lead to imaginative and creative opportunities. You feel energized and ready to take on just about anything.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today, you might have an irresistible impulse to put your home in order. You want to give it a thorough cleaning, do a little decorating, or perhaps make some minor but necessary repairs.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A specific task or goal could have you making a lot of calls, writing a lot of letters, or doing a lot of running around in the car.

You're feeling especially determined.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Unknown skills or talents that you didn't know you had might set you on a course that leads to increased income, if you're willing to put in some hard work.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A n u n w i t t i n g communication from a friend could set you off on a path that changes your life. This could involve business opportunities.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Whatever difficulties may have arisen over the past few days, you have the power to overcome them, gain new strength, and move on. Your physical energy is good - you won't wear out.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your association with a group could enable your spiritual progress today. Past emotional issues could come up, but don't despair.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you've been thinking about working out of your home, this is the time to put your plans into action.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Money or other resources could be made available to you today so you can increase your career prospects or advance in your occupation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A l t h o u g h y o u occasionally want to spend a whole day alone, this isn't the time. You have a lot of specific goals in mind that you want to take care of today, perhaps involving writing or speaking.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Doubts about a romantic or business partnership could have an energizing effect on you today. You're determined to resolve any problems or disagreements you may have with your partner. You'll probably do it.

PAGE 27

#70 Spartan beat...

From page 33 ceremony. Berbice Cricket Board president Hilbert Foster hailed the excellent organizing skill of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association under the leadership of Dennis D'Andrade and praised them for hosting a successful tournament in a few months.

Foster committed to hosting the overall Berbice championship final at the NO 69 ground and stated that #70 Spartan has joined Cotton Tree Cricket Club of the West Berbice area and Wiruni Cricket Club of the Berbice River area in the overall Berbice finals.

The remaining two subassociation champions would e m e rg e f r o m t h e N e w Amsterdam/Canje and Lower/

Central Corentyne area.

The BCB president noted that his administration in 2023 has organized a total of 33 tournaments at the under 11, under 13, under 15, under 17, under 19, under 23, female, primary school, secondary school, inter zone, grassroot, second division and first division levels. Foster also indicated that the BCB would shortly host a one day tournament for female teams in the Upper Corentyne area.

BCB competition committee chairman Leslie Solomon disclosed that three finals for second division teams in the sub-association have been completed in 2023.

They are Dave West Indian Imports 40 overs, Vishnu Superstore 40 overs and the Price is Right 20/20, while the NPG round Robin 20/20 would commence shortly.

Sponsor Dave Narine stated that he was very delighted to be associated with the Berbice cricket. The Guyanese born New York based businessman said that he was confident that more exciting talent for the future would emerge from the tournament.

RHTYSC cricket teams honors...

From page 30 levels while it has produced over 100 players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies since 1995. The RHTYSC has won three national tournaments and has received the Guyana Cricket Club of the year award five times. The RHTYSC is also the only youth and sports club in Guyana to have ever received a national award.

The cricket teams as part of their annual Christmas programme would be hosting several activities with the main objective of making a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate.

The activities planned includes the annual Christmas village from the 21st to the 24th of December in the Rose Hall primary school, distribution of 5000 toys and 1000 food hampers to less fortunate families. Other activities planned are Christmas concert, feeding of the poor programme, distribution of 500 special packages to single parent households, Christmas Day breakfast for senior citizen, children Christmas get together, while members of the St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church would also receive special gifts.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Golden Jaguars ascend to League A …Guyana dump Antigua & Barbuda 6 - 0

By Rawle Toney

I

n a night etched into the annals of football history, the Golden Jaguars orchestrated a dazzling performance, propelling the country's senior men's National team to the coveted League A of the Concacaf Nations League.

The backdrop was the Dominican Republic, where they faced Antigua and Barbuda and crafted a resounding 6-0 victory to remain perfect in Group D of League B. The Golden Jaguars needed just a draw to ascend to League A, but instead, they unleashed an offensive

masterpiece led by goals from Deon Moore, Kelsey Benjamin, Nathan MoriahWelsh, Omari Glasgow, Leo Lovell, and the debutant Osaze De Rosario.

Coach Jamaal Shabazz orchestrated the spectacle with a strategic 4-4-2 setup, deploying Glasgow and Benjamin as the dynamic forward duo.

In the midfield, MoriahWelsh, Stephen DukeMcKenna, Jeremy Grant, and Captain Daniel Wilson formed a cohesive unit.

The defensive line comprised Colin Nelson, Curtez Kellman, Jalen Jones, and Liam Gordon, stalwart guardians shielding the goal

tended by the formidable Quillian Roberts.

The opening act showcased Gordon's lightning run down the wing, delivering a precise setup for Benjamin to confidently slot home the opening goal just seven minutes into the contest.

Glasgow joined the party, netting his seventh goal of the Nations League season and 14th international goal in his 20th appearance for the Golden Jaguars.

Moriah-Welsh elevated the artistry just before halftime, stunning everyone with a freekick from the touchline, catching Antigua and Barbuda's goalkeeper,

Zaieem Scott, off-guard and off his goal line.

The precision-placed shot soared into the net, granting Guyana a comfortable 3-0 lead at halftime.

The second half witnessed Shabazz's strategic move, substituting Glasgow with debutant De Rosario, whose inaugural appearance left an indelible mark.

In a move reminiscent of his father, Dwayne De Rosario, a legendary attacker for Canada and in the MLS, Osaze artfully eluded defenders before curling his shot around Scott, notching the score to an impressive 4-0 in the 67th minute.

Guyana steamrolled Antigua 6-0 to advance to the Concacaf Nations League A. (Concacaf)

The Jaguars, insatiable in their quest for goals, secured another breakthrough in the 90th minute, courtesy of second-half substitute Leo Lovell.

As the clock wound down, Deon Moore added the finishing touch, burying his 90+3 effort and sealing an emphatic 6-0 triumph for Guyana.

This victory maintained Guyana's impeccable record

in the Nations League, building on earlier wins against Antigua and Barbuda (5-1), back-to-back 3-1 victories against Puerto Rico, and a thrilling 3-2 win against The Bahamas at home.

The curtain falls on Guyana's historic Nations run with anticipation with a showdown against The Bahamas, on a date eagerly awaited and soon to be announced by Concacaf.

Congratulations are in order to a dominant Golden Jaguars unit who hammered Antigua 6-0 to advance to League A of the Concacaf Nations League. (Concacaf)

Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 22, 2023

PAGE 29

GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph confirms preparations on track for Guyana vs. Suriname Under-17 girls' friendly series this weekend

G

uyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director Bryan Joseph has confirmed that preparations for the highly awaited Under17 Girls' international friendly series between Guyana and Suriname are on track to kick off on November 25.

Joseph said that all arrangements are in place to host Suriname for two home games on November 25 and 26 at venues in and around Georgetown since the GFF National Training Center pitch is still under maintenance.

“We are delighted to count down the days to the kickoff of this bilateral series with Suriname. This is part of a greater initiative between the countries to collaborate on several activities around the development of youth football. Over the coming years, we will have several youth male and female series aimed at boosting the exposure to international football for our youth players.

The girls of both

countries would have missed out on the CONCACAF U17 Qualifiers earlier in the year so this series provides the opportunity for them to have four international games under their belt before the conclusion of the year.

Not very often, the Guyanese fans get to see the youth national teams play on home soil so we are encouraging everyone to come out and support the players and staff over the two matches.”

The Junior Lady Jags will be fine tuning training with an aim to deliver impressive performances and prevent Suriname from securing a victory on their home turf on

Saturday and Sunday.

The series will wrap up in December, with Guyana competing in Suriname on December 16 and 17.

Suriname Football Association (SFA) Technical Director Biswajeet Kali said his team is ready to journey to Guyana this week and also confirmed that all arrangements have been finalised for the matches on December 16 and 17 in Suriname.

Kali noted, “We are pleased with this agreement with Guyana, to enable our young female players to gain international experiences and knowledge from an early age.

Our girls are a mix of our academy and it is therefore important to measure where we are and what the areas for improvement are.

We as technical directors of both countries have been instructed by our respective presidents to expand this in the different categories; But also to include French Guiana in the process next year.”

These highly anticipated matches will also mark the

West Indies “A” trail South Africa “A” by 241 runs at stumps on day one of first unofficial four-day “Test” The West Indies “A” Team had a good opening day against South Africa “A” in their first unofficial four-day “Test” match.

SportsMax - The West Indies “A” Team will enter day two of their first unofficial four-day “Test” match against South Africa “A” at Willowmoore Park in Benoni trailing by 241 runs after a decent day with bat and ball.

The hosts, who have six players in their 11 with Test experience, won the toss and chose to bat first yesterday, posting 287-9 before declaring.

They were led by half centuries from Keegan Petersen (59), Tony De Zorzi (55) and Clyde Fortuin (53) while David Bedingham also played well for his 47.

Jayden Seales bowled excellently

up front with 3023 in 15.5 overs while Akeem Jordan took 3-61 from 18 overs. Kevin Sinclair also bowled 18 overs and took 2-64.

The West Indian opening pair of Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Zachary McCaskie were able to put on 46 in nine overs before stumps on day one.

Chanderpaul will enter day two 28* while McCaskie is on 17*.

Full scores: South Africa “A” 287-9 dec. off 78.5 overs (Keegan Petersen 59, Tony De Zorzi 55, Clyde Fortuin 53, David Bedingham 47, Jayden Seales 3-23, Akeem Jordan 3-61, Kevin Sinclair 2-64); West Indies “A” 46-0 off nine overs (Tagenarine Chanderpaul 28*, Zachary McCaskie 17*).

conclusion of the 2023 competitive season for both

teams. GFF urges all fans to unite in support of the junior

Lady Jags as they once again proudly represent Guyana.

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

RHTYSC cricket teams honors 5 outstanding Police officers The cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS on Friday

last officially launched their 2023 Christmas outreach programme. The teams

launched the programme by hosting its annual Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers'

- Donates toys and cricket gear to Region 6 police Award. Five outstanding police officers were honored by the cricket teams for outstanding service in protecting citizens on the Corentyne Coast.

R H T Y S C Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that for over two decades the club has been honoring outstanding role models who have served Guyana well.

Awards ceremonies are held annually to honor firemen, police officers, postal workers, municipality workers, teachers, retired teachers and sportsmen under the club's tribute to heroes programme. The 2023 list of awardees honored were Sergeant 16276 Wilburgh, corporal 21249 Mentore, special constable 13727 Profitt, Detective Constable 21224 Nelson and constable 25333 Ramkisson.

They were selected by the leadership of the administration of the Region Six division based on their personal discipline, dedication, honesty and willingness to work beyond the call of duty.

Foster congratulated the officers on a job well done and urged them to uphold the high traditions they have set themselves in the past.

The RHTYSC, he noted is also willing to assist the Guyana Police Force to fulfill its mandate to protect the nation from criminal activities. This relationship

RHTYSC secretary Hilbert Foster hands over cricket gears and toys to Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus and Division Two Head Michael Newland. started in 1992 and has developed over the years.

The two entities have worked together to host several programmes including the RHTYSC annual cricket academy, grade 6 summer camp and the annual Christmas village.

Each of the awardees received a framed certificate of excellence, a medal of excellence and two special gifts from the cricket teams.

Police commander Shivpersaud Bacchus, who handed over the awards, expressed thanks to the RHTYSC for its continued cooperation to the force. He also congratulated the

Constable 25333 Ramkissoon is honored

by Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus.

awardees and noted that they are role models to their peers.

The cricket teams also handed over a collection of Christmas toys to subdivision two of the region for distribution to less fortunate children. Foster, who is also the president of the Berbice Cricket Board, also handed a set of cricket equipment to the cricket team of the force.

The items donated were a box of cricket balls, a batting pad, wicketkeeping pad and wicketkeeping gloves.

The BCB president noted that the police team had received several donations during the year including practice net, cricket balls and gear.

RHTYSC organizing secretary Robby Kissoonlall informed that the cricket teams of the club are Poonai Pharmacy under 11 and under 13, Farfan and Mendes under 15, Bakewell under 17 and Second Division, Metro females, Pepsi under 19 and under 23, Namilco Thunderbolt under 21 and First Division.

Among the players who represent the club are Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Clinton Pestano, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia, Matthew Pottaya, Eon Hooper, Slyus Tyndall, Shemaine Campbell, Sahabeka Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Sheneeta Grimmond, Mahendra Gopilall and Shawn Pereira.

The club has won over 120 cricket tournaments at all (Continued on page 27)

Kaieteur News

Wednesday November 22, 2023

PAGE 31

Letter to the Sports Editor Is this the best time Forde's performance below of year to have/host average after two terms How much longer could played sport, it enjoys administrator, especially in Dear Sports Editor, the Regional School As December 9 draws participation in almost every the sports realm, having held lovers of the sport and its incumbent President country on the planet, but or still holds executive participants endure this Athletic Championship? closer, of the Guyana Football following eight years of p o s i t i o n s i n m a n y scenario?

Dear Sports Editor, For the past few years, I have been trying to convince the Athletic Association of Guyana, the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports, and the Guyana Teachers Union, that they need to reschedule the Regional Schools Athletic Track and Field Championships to a time of year that coincides with the Caribbean premier secondary school athletic championship and one that will ensure optimum performance by our student athletes.

The situation in secondary school track and field in Guyana for many years now has been extremely abysmal at best.

To the best of my knowledge, we do not have a secondary school track and field championship in Guyana, what we have is a Regional Championship, but this is not the issue that I want to highlight here, my bone of contention is that this championship is held at the wrong time of the year.

The premier secondary school track and field championship is the Junior Carifta Games normally held over the Easter weekend or days leading up to the Easter weekend every year since its inception.

Mr. editor, permit me to list the dates that all the Caribbean countries held their secondary school championships this year (2023); Antigua and Barbuda March 10th - 12th; Barbados March 29th – 31st; Jamaica March 28 t h – April 1 s t ; Bermuda March 14th – 17th; St Lucia March 11 th - 12 th ; Granada March, St Kitts and Nevis March, Cayman Island March 22nd; T r i n i d a d a n d To b a g o March1 s t - 2 nd ; Dominica March 12th; Guyana November 27th – December 2 nd 2022; the Junior Carifta Games was held April 7th- 9th 2023.

The problem is obvious, our young athletes are being set-up for failure, there are peaking at the end of November when they should be peaking at the same time as the rest of the Caribbean athletes and that is March-April; a time

closest to the championship.

The point that I am trying to make here is that our InterSchools and Inter-Regional Track and Field Championship should be held towards the end of January or mid-March in order to coincide with the Carifta games.

This will be in keeping not only with the rest of the Caribbean countries but also with the rest of the western world which start their indoor season in January and ends in March;(the outdoor season starts in April and ends in June).

Only in Guyana our track season runs from September to November.

What is wrong, as noted above is that all the other Caribbean countries have their secondary school championships in March which means that their athletes are in peak competition readiness and conditioning at the right time.

Sending our young athletes to these games should not only be about medals, it should also be about showcasing their talent for them to secure scholarships.

Universities and colleges in the USA are awarding thousands of athletics scholarships every year to young athletes from around the world.

These colleges send their scouts to our regional championships like the Junior Carifta Games; scouting for new talent, and for this reason we need to take full advantage of this golden opportunity of getting our youth a free university education and exposure to the NCAA Division 1 sports.

For the reasons stated above and many more, too much to mention in this letter, I would like to advise the Ministry of Education and t h e G u y a n a Te a c h e r s Union to take a serious look at this issue and reschedule our National Championship to a time closer to the Junior Carifta Games.

The current timing of these championships is wrong and we are setting our student athletes up for failure.

Donald P. Archer.

Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde's duration in office seems to be coming to an eagerly anticipated end.

This appears to be the overwhelming conclusion of many observers, who all give the impression that they are resigned to the impending fate of the top official, following two terms in office.

According to the views of many observers, much of the electorate have expressed disappointment with the performance of the Forde-led administration over the period and is eager to see change in the management of the sport.

They are excited at the prospect of having the opportunity to effect change in the administration following a challenging period that saw the sport plummet in every area of development.

Football is without doubt the world's most popular and

Forde's rule, it has rapidly suffered from failing health, an unbearable incidence that the electorate is determined to rectify, at the impending Electoral Congress.

The occasion, which is scheduled to be held at the GFF National Training Centre, is being touted as extremely important and could decide the destiny of Guyana's football.

Therefore, those genuinely interested in the future of the sport here, and vested with the responsibility of casting a vote are not remiss of this crucial obligation.

Forde will be going up against the Franklin Wilsonled slate which is loaded with individuals of good repute and superior administrative acumen, making it a formidable opponent for the current executive.Wilson, himself a former President of the GFF, is a very experienced

organisations.

Additionally, Wilson has demonstrated in the past his willingness to engage across the divide, a critical factor that can only be helpful for the game and its progress.

Under Forde, the support from the corporate community went missing and was the main reason for the slump in visibility and grassroots development.

The sport had to rely on private promoters and organisers to prop up its void from the mainstream in the absence of the GFF. Had it not been for promoters such as the Petra Organisation, Banks DIH under its Guinness brand, and a few others, it is anyone's guess where the sport might have been locally.Fans have been largely absent from the sport and this disgraceful spectacle is painfully observed in GFF or its affiliates competitions.

Forde has done more harm to the sport than any other President in recent memory and this e m b a r r a s s i n g characterisation of his performance is occurring during a period when the largesse from FIFA has been at its peak. On the other hand, Wilson's brief tenure in office was loaded with several firsts, including Guyana advancing to its farthest in World Cup qualifiers, enjoying its highest place on the FIFA list of ranking countries, playing over twenty friendlies with a positive win ratio and the honors go on.

In eighteen days, it is anticipated that Guyana's football will experience a paradigm shift that is expected to lift the hopes of footballers and fans alike, while at the same time restoring the sport's rightful standing on the sports' roster.

Diehard Football fan.

BCB hails Shepherd, Motie, Hetmyer following Windies selection for England series Shimron Hetmyer

Romario Shepherd

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) recently lauded its 3 county-men following their selection to the West Indies team ahead of the upcoming series versus England.

“We are confident that Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie would make us proud and keep the legacy of Kanhai and butcher alive,” read the statement from the BCB.

The BCB further hailed three other Berbicians who are in South Africa with the A team, Kevin Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson and Shamar Joseph while all-rounder Junior Sinclair is currently with the Windies Academy team playing Ireland.

Three of the female cricketers also recently returned from the West Indies A female team tour to Pakistan, Sheneta

Gudakesh Motie Grimmond, Shabaka Gajnabi and vicecaptain Sheneta Grimmond.

Senior women all-rounder Shemaine Campbelle is also the vice captain of the female senior team.

Pacer Isai Thorne has gained selection to the Academy's Red Ball team to play Ireland, further adding to the BCB recognizing their players' respective contributions to West Indies cricket.

Wednesday November 22, 2023

PAGE 32

Ramdass century, Lindore 5-Fer headline opening round Big Man Over-40 Inter-County tournament...

A

breathtaking century from Ryan Ramdass helped the Demerara Capitals beat Essequibo Jaguars by a whopping 120-run win, as the action got underway in the Big Man Cricket Over-40 inter-county tournament.

The ex-West Indies opener turned back the clock, hitting 135 with 10 sixes and 13 fours off just 72 deliveries, prior to retiring hurt.

The class of Ramdass powered Demerara Capitals to an imposing 306-2 in their 30 overs, batting first.

Ramdass alongside, Shazam Ramjohn, who hit 66 not out, added a mammoth 248 runs for the 2nd wicket.

Essequibo Jaguars, in reply were bowled out 181 inside 22 overs, led by Vishwanauth Lall (65).

Bowling for the Capitals, veteran seamer Randy Lindore snared 5-36 from 4 overs with a few catches to go

Ryan Ramdass shares the Man of the Match award with Randy Lindore.

along with his figures.

He found strong support from Ucil Armstrong chipping in with 3-28, to help complete a comprehensive win.

In the second game played at the Blairmont Community Centre Ground in Berbice. Berbice Gladiators powered to a 120-

Ryan Ramdass copped the MVP award for his magical century.

BMC Head Raj SIngh hands over the MOM award to Devon Clements run win over President's X1 Warriors, after posting 212-7 in a game reduced to 25-over per-side.

Ex-National youth batsman Devon Clements

cracked 68 for the Gladiators, who knocked over the Warriors, for a measly 92 in 16 overs. The tournament continues with Demerara Capitals facing President's

X1 Warriors at Enmore on Saturday, 25 November, while Essequibo Jaguars battle Berbice Gladiators at Blairmont on Sunday, 26 November.

Young, Nandu hit fifties to lead West Indies Academy to 2-1 One-Day series win over Emerging Ireland SportsMax - Captain Nyeem Young and opener Matthew Nandu both hit unbeaten half-centuries as the West Indies Academy defeated Emerging Ireland by six wickets in the third One-Day match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua to take a 2-1 series win.The Academy first dismissed the Irish for 175 in 43.4 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.

Emerging Ireland captain Stephen Doheny top scored with 64 from 96 balls including s ix f o u r s w h ile Tom M ay es h i t 2 7 a n d M o rg a n To p p i n g 2 0 against excellent bowling from J os h u a Bis hop ( 3 - 3 2 from 1 0 over s ), A shmead Nedd (3-28 from nine overs) and

Matthew Nandu hit an unbeaten half-century, 63*, off 107 balls.

West Indies Academy skipper Nyeem Young top scored with 75* Kevin Wickham (3-42 from 8.4 overs).

The hosts then needed only 40.3 overs to successfully reach 179-4 and seal the series win.

Young led the way with a 67ball 75* including eight fours and three sixes while Nandu batted through the innings to finish 63* off 107 balls including three fours.

Matthew Humphreys took two of the three wickets for Emerging Ireland.

The teams will now turn their attention to a pair of four-day matches from November 25-28 and December 2-5 at Coolidge.

Wednesday November 22, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

BCB 2023 cricket season...

#70 Spartan beat Crabwood Creek Gladiators to win DAVE'S West Indian imports 40overs championship

T

he NO 69 Vikings cricket ground was packed on Sunday last by spectators as the Berbice Cricket Board in conjunction with the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association hosted the final of the Upper Corentyne Dave's West Indian Imports 40overs tournament. The tournament for the Upper Corentyne involved 29 teams and is one of six tournaments across the county to determine the overall champion of Berbice at the second division level. The BCB has now successfully completed subassociation tournaments in Berbice River, Upper Corentyne and West Berbice with finals coming up for New Amsterdam/Canje and Lower/Central Corentyne.

The final on Sunday was

contested between #70 Spartan and Crabwood Creek Gladiators. #70 Spartan won the toss and elected to take first strike in very humid conditions. They were led to a total of 233 all out from their allotted 40 overs. Their main batsmen were Tharesh Ramgohan who scored 50 with six delightful boundaries and a 6, Charran Singh 52 with four boundaries and Latchman Roopchand who struck 4 boundaries and three massive sixes.

Singh and Roopchan added a fifth wicket partnership of 94 to lead their team to a solid total. Bowling for Crabwood Creek Gladiators, Mohammad Ally claimed 3 for 47 from 4 overs, Joel Dhanraj 2 for 42 and Trevon Sukhoo 2 for 39.

Needing to score 234 runs from their 40 overs, Crabwood Creek

The winning #70 Spartan team poses with sponsor Dave Narine.

Gladiators were never in the hunt as the #70 Spartans team bowled well and was well backed up with sharp fielding. They lost wickets on a regular basis as Clark 2, Alistair 16, Dharesh Bruce 29, Kevin Saywack Man of the finals Charran Singh receives his 7, Trevon Sukhoo 7, Zahir award from you UCCA president Dennis D'Andrade.

Mohammed 20, Alvon Jeffrey 1,

Joanne King 4 and Joel Dhanraj 1 fell cheaply. Seenarine and Mohammed added 47 for 4th wicket to offer some hope but when Seenarine was stumped off Charan Singh for 30 it was all over for Crabwood Creek. They were eventually bowled out for 150 in

29.1 overs. Singh was the best bowler for the champions with three wickets for 29 runs from 4 overs.

The Champions, runner up and man of the finals received trophies and cash prizes at the presentation (Continued on page 27)

Golden Jaguars ascend to League A …Guyana dump Antigua & Barbuda 6 - 0

rts o p S

The Golden Jaguars celebrating their promotion to League A of the CONCACAF Nations League after beating Antigua & Barbados 6 – 0. (Concacaf)

West Indies Academy as they celebrate series win over Emerging Ireland.

Young, Nandu hit fifties to lead West Indies Academy to 2-1 One-Day series win over Emerging Ireland Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.