Kaieteur News

Guyana asks ICJ to dismiss Venezuela’s application

By Rehanna Ramsay

Guyana asked the

International Court of Justice (ICJ) to dismiss an application by Venezuela, whichsoughttostrikedown this country’s case for a juridical settlement of the decades old border controversy

The ICJ – the Principal JudicialOrganoftheUNhas

concluded hearings on the preliminary objections raised by Venezuela in the case concerning theArbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyanav.Venezuela).

Venezuela had argued that the Court should not entertain Guyana’s substantive application on several grounds and one of those grounds is that the Britainshouldbepartytothe

caseinsteadofGuyana.

ProfessorPhillipeSands, one of Guyana’s Lawyers, h i g h l i g h t e d t h e inconsistencies in the arguments presented by Venezuela.TheLawyersaid that the burden is on Venezuela to prove its contention that the arbitration process was corrupted.“Ithasofferedno evidence to support such an argument,”hesubmitted.

Professor Sands addressed the Court on a number of points including the United Kingdom’s consent to the Court’s

jurisdiction, and the

Monetary Gold PrincipleProcedural legal rule that came with the historical practice of the ICJ—which means that international courts are not competent to settle disputes between states unless those states agreetoexercisejurisdiction over the dispute by the Court.

He said that although Venezuela’s initial argument,inpart,wasbased on the wrongful conduct of theBritishGovernmentorits legal team whose position changed during Venezuela’s

secondpresentation.

“If a tribunal is corrupt someone must have corrupted it you cannot collude on your own,” Professor Sands said while submittingthat“Thealleged wrongful conduct of the Arbitrators has disappeared, despitethefactthattheCourt hasruledthatitsJurisdiction is focused on the validity of the Arbitral Award To succeed on the merits, it is not enough forVenezuela to prove wrongful conduct by the United Kingdom. It will beinsufficienttoarguethata

The International Court of Justice, (ICJ) today heard closing arguments from Guyana in response to Venezuela’s application for the Court to throw out the merits of Guyana’s case on the basis of admissibility.

ExxonM among Oil Majors

lagging behind with global tax reports

American oil

g i a n t , ExxonMobil

Corporation was named among three US Oil Majors whoarelaggingbehindwith their Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard tax-reports.

This is according to Ian Gary, Director of the Financial Accountability andCorporateTransparency (FACT) Coalition The FACT Coalition is a US based organisation that fights offshore tax abuses, promotes transparency in corporate ownership and operations, and advocates anti money laundering policies.

Gary who once worked with British Advocacy Group, Oxfam, was quoted in their Press Release as disclosing that US Oil Giants,Exxon,Chevronand ConocoPhillips are lagging behind their peers with their GRI standard tax reports The Financial Director said, “US extractive companies Hess and Newmont publish GRI-aligned tax reports, as do international oil companies including Shell, BP, and Total,” adding that, “Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillipsareseriously laggingbehindtheirpeers.”

The GRI standard tax reports is the world’s most utilised corporate reporting framework The reports would include country-bycountryreporting(CbCR)of certain company financial information, including revenues, profits and losses, and tax payments within each jurisdiction – critical i n f o r m a t i o n t o understandingrisksofprofit shiftingandtaxavoidance.

Kaieteur News had reported that on Monday, Oxfam filed a shareholder’s resolution against ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillipscallingthem out on their alleged ‘secretive’ tax practices Oxfam’s resolution ask the companies to publish tax transparency reports in line with the GRI standard and highlighted that despite repeated requests from themselves and others, Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips have declined to release a tax report in line with the GRI standard. Oxfam is a British foundedconfederationof21 independent charitable organisations focusing on the alleviation of global poverty The resolution that

Gary, Director of the FinancialAccountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition

they filed, is called a ‘shareholder resolution’ which is usually a 500 word request submitted to a company by a shareholder asking the company to addressanissueofconcern.

In their ‘shareholder’s resolution’, Oxfam stated that Oil Majors’ lack of transparency creates a material risk for long term investors who want to safeguard against risks of reputational damage “Worse still, these secretive practices undermine the public’s interest in a fair tax system, especially in Global South countries with the greatest tax revenue needs” Oxfamalsosaid.

Daniel Mulé, Policy Lead on Extractive IndustriesandTaxatOxfam America said, “Exxon, C h e v r o n , a n d ConocoPhillips’s threadbare tax disclosures leave investors, watchdog groups, andthegeneralpublicinthe dark about the companies’ secretivetaxpractices.”

Oxfam in their Press Release stated too that a November 2022 Report shows that public CbCR could reduce tax revenue losses due to cross-border profit shifting by US$89 billion and that the oil and gas sector is a particularly high risk sector for

corporate tax avoidance –and emissions from oil and gas are also fueling the climatecrisis.

“Oil and gas companies frequently point to their contributions to the tax base in producer countries as a justification for their continued operations, particularly in poor countries, but secretive tax practicesmakeitimpossible to verify whether the companies actually contribute to shared prosperity,”saidMulé.

“If oil and gas projects are alleviating poverty, why hide the numbers?” he added. Itwasexplainedthat public country by country reporting allows companies to get out ahead of potential impending regulatory changes and can help to showwhethercompaniesare paying taxes in line with their economic activity in every country where they operate.

According to Oxfam, its resolutions would be put to shareholders at Exxon, C h e v r o n , a n d ConocoPhillips’s annual general meetings in May 2023. It was also stated that the company expects to attract co filers on the resolutionspriortothefiling deadlines.

“As a shareholder that advocates for responsible corporate governance, Oxfam challenges companies for their lack of transparency and their broader lack of social responsibility – including promoting climate disinformationandlobbying against extractive industry transparencymeasures–and uses its shares in the companies to hold the company to account,” Oxfam stated in the Press Release.

Moreover, Jason Ward, Principal Analyst at the Centre for International C o r p o r a t e T a x Accountability and Research (CICTAR) said, “Shareholders need a full understanding of potential risks,”adding“Corporations should respect shareholders and lead the way to let the sunlight in ” Oxfam’s shareholder’s resolution comes at a time when Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL) the operator of Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block and its partners, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, and

CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, are enjoying taxfreeprofitsinGuyana.

This is due to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed onto with Exxon. Underthe2016PSA,neither Exxon nor its affiliates pay taxes. In fact, Guyana has agreedto,underthetaxation provisions, to pay ExxonMobil’s share of Corporation and Income Tax.Assuch,itwouldmean that Guyana foregoes each year,billionsofUSdollars.

On top of this, documentation to this effect is then provided to the US based company allowing it

to not have to pay any taxes in its home country for its earningsoverseas.

Guyana’s Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers) and has approximately 11 billion proven barrels of oil.

In January 2022, Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall, approached the High Court tochallengetheGovernment ofGuyana’s(GOG)decision tograntmassivetaxwaivers to the oil companies and theiraffiliates.

Earlierthismonth,Lall’s Lawyer filed final submissions in the case and oral arguments into the case will be conducted on

December 12, 2022 and February 22, 2023 is set for the ruling The KN’s Publisher’s court case seeks tooverturntheexpansivetax provisions granted to the oil companiesaspartofthePSA foroildrillingexplorationin theStabroekBlock.

Amongthegrounds,Lall arguesthatArticles15.4and 15 5 of the Petroleum Agreement requiring the Minister responsible for Petroleum to pay taxes for andonbehalfoftheERPGL, and the Commissioner General to issue certificates to that effect, is therefore a violation of the Petroleum Act.

Chief Executive of ExxonMobil Corporation, Darren Woods

Ian

EDITORIAL

WHATABOUTUS?

FirstitwastheAmericansandChinese,aspresent in the ExxonMobil-spearheaded oil consortium.

Then,itwastheDutchcompanySBM,despiteit checkeredhistorywithbribery Now,itistheJapaneseand Danes,andbeforethemtheBritish(Tullow)andtheSpanish (Repsol). Every Tom, Dick, and Harry company coming hereandbenefitingfromthisnation’soilwealth. Theydon’t comealone,butwiththeirfriendsalleagertopartakeofthe profitableGuyanaoilprize. WepointtoAmericanAirlines, British Airways, and assorted hoteliers and downstream operators,somefromtheCARICOMregion,andaslewof them from the more distant north. In the fewest words: anybodyandeverybodymakingakillingfromGuyana’soil riches.

The questions we put before the PPP/C Government, PresidentAli,andVicePresidentJagdeoarethesimplestof no brainers. What happened to the wellbeing of the Guyanesepeople,allofthem,notjusttheselectedrichones? Dotheynotknowofprosperity,oftheuseandvalueofthe moneythattheyoughttobegettingfromtheiroil? Isthisa caseinGuyaneselingoofgoatbitingoutourbraincells? Or of cat eating the dinner of the Guyanese people, especially the multitude of poor ones? Or is this a situation where leadersinthePPP/CGovernmentconspireandconcoctwith foreignoilcompaniestofeedthecatsourdinner?

Theworldiscominghereandgettingasweetslice,arich piece, of Guyana’s oil action. But Guyanese living right here,can’tgetanything,notevenapercentofapercent,of whattheforeignersdreamaboutgrabbingfromGuyana,and then get it. Already wealthy Guyanese business interests, with tight connections to the PPP/C Government and cozy relationships with its two-headed leadership arrangement, have positioned themselves to get the biggest share out of whatever part of the oil wealth flows to locals. Through joint ventures with foreign companies for downstream oil business, or numerousbilliondollargifts (taxconcessions, public works contracts, and so forth) from the PPP/C Government, Guyana’s richest grow richer still. These comparatively few in Guyana’s population thrive under a cascadeofflourishingdealsthatistheenvyofthoselocked outofthelushbusinessdealings.

Meanwhile, the mass of citizens, the poor, the working class, the man-in-the-street, the distressed and depressed, andothersfailingtocope,arelefttofighteachotherinthe scrambletogetadroportwoofthefinancialtricklesthatare leftforthem.

Itmaybeabitofanexaggeration,butforeverymillion in American dollars that the foreigners and handful of insiderlocalsmake,theordinaryGuyanesehastobecontent with a local dollar, and that is if or she is lucky, or among thosefavoredbythePPP/CGovernment.

Allthingsconsidered,thediscoveryofbillionsofbarrels of oil equivalents has inflicted a great injury on poor Guyanese. It filled them with feelings of hope, with the beliefthattheirdayhascome,andthat,finally,theyarenow goingtomakeit,standproudlyontheirownfeet. Thereality isthattheirhopeshavebeenshatteredbycompromisedand crookedPoliticians,leavingmanywithdeepbitternessand growing frustrations. The oil instilled hope and then it vanished. AsmoreGuyanesecometogripswiththedevious and deceptive nature of their leaders, with perceptions of howmuchtheyareinthepocketsofExxonMobilandothers, and at their back and call, their once bright hopes now disappear

This is compounded by the continuing stream of news articles of how much foreign companies from a variety of countries are benefiting from our oil. The more the foreigners make, the less Guyanese get, and when more of theseforeignersgetrichfromouroilwealth,thefeweristhe numberofGuyanesewhogetanythingfromthisoil.

Guyanesearenotanti-foreign,norareweanti-anybody It is nothing but an injustice that all could come here and prosper,whilewearereducedtobystandersandbeggarsfor whatisours.Howcanthisberight? HowcananyLeader, anyGovernment,beforsomethinglikethis?

Ali’s vision versus Norton’s farces, Guyanese are the best judge

DEAREDITOR, Estatenoronethousandturn- concomitantly yet, ‘talk de ting straight So,Aubrey Norton, who key homes within the first The hopes of its citizens up’… aspirestoleadGuyanaasits term of the Government, or to benefit from free Does the all rounded, President, wants the Dr the hundreds of millions in universityeducationby2025 careful approach by Mohamed Irfaan Ali led road rehabilitations would be dashed against the President Ali to national PPP/C administration to currentlyunderway exorbitant fees the d e v e l o p m e n t a n d abandon its sound national He would rather the APNU+AFCintroducedand transformation, where t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l residents of South planned to keep increasing; everyone and every sector agenda Norton wants the Georgetown, Belladrum, the Government would grow together at an even Government to halt its BuxtonandNewAmsterdam spend sixty billion of oil pace make sense to you; or exponential build out of the remain underemployed, revenueinone-offpayments Aubrey Norton’s plan to traditionalsectors. u n e m p o w e r e d a n d of $300,000 to each shareoutalltheoilmoneyat

He wants the PPP/C hopelesslydeprivedofclean, household annually and $300,000 a household, then Government to ignore the green recreational spaces condemn them to continue beabletodonothingelsefor sound, globally established and facilities, improved suffering in blackouts, the country’s sustainable economic sustainability infrastructure,andeconomic falling waist deep into development,nada? conventionsofsmartlyusing opportunities. potholes, receiving only a I have every confidence thebulkofearlyoilrevenues Aubrey Norton could chest sounding and a in the intellectual ability of tobuildamulti-dimensional carelessaboutthethousands prescriptionateveryhospital every Guyanese to easily economy, which becomes of Amerindians whom and clinic, drinking fecal reasonthisout,whetherfrom robust enough in short order G r a n g e r r e n d e r e d coliformfromtheirtaps,and an academic or a streetto sustainably improve the unemployed and penniless, receivingeducationonslates smarts point of view, to see livelihoodsofallGuyanese. andforsure,hewouldrather under the flickers of an 8% retroactive increase Hiseconomicalternative see the thousands of sugar flambeaus. for public servants along calls for the Government to workers who were sent According to his short- with adjustments to all pause the building of new packing into nothingness sighted lunacy, all the categoriesofsalaryscalesto highways that are opening remainthere. myriad cost of living be announced in the coming land for new businesses that It is a task of virtual cushioning given to every days, and all the other willcreategood-payingjobs impossibility, for Norton to sectorandcitizentoweather support programs already across the country; not begin to comprehend the the storm of the global enacted and with more to bother with building a new verybasicsofhowacountry meltdown over the past two come, as prudent fiscal four-lane bridge across the that wants to leapfrog from yearswouldhavebeenleftto management.Itrustthatyou Demerara River; not the outer bands of perpetual the magic and economic would think for yourselves, prioritize a fully poverty to the upper gymnastics of his one-off choose for yourselves, and rehabilitatedhighwayforthe echelonsofwealthforallits $300,000toeachhousehold, determine which is the people of Linden, nor the citizens, must prudently and full-stop. smarter path to your Pan-American highway to strategically manage its Then according to my Guyanese future of wealth South America that will development agenda to grandmother, everything andempowerment. potentially transform that a c h i e v e c o n s t a n t , else‘wuddasucksalt.’ Yoursfaithfully, townintoathrivingcity exponential, and sustainable My fellow Guyanese, HonKwameMcCoy He thinks Lindeners do growth for both its people look around for yourself, Minister within the not deserve an Industrial and its sector webs, reason logically, or better OfficeofthePrimeMinister

WhyisNandlallsofiercelyopposing fingerprintidentificationattheplaceofpoll?

DEAREDITOR, In an effort to confront November 17, 2022 I wrote acts.

On November 7, 2022 I and prevent the mischief of anotherletterontheissue.In 1.Hecompletelyignores penned a letter in which I those names being used for that letter, I referred to mypropositionfortheuseof made two fundamental fraudulent voting, I Regulation 40 of the biometric electronic finger points:- recommended that: National Registration Act. I print identification at the

1. ‘It is the practice of “provisions of the specified that I was citing place of poll, but deems me Legislators to make laws RepresentationofthePeople thoseRegulationstoindicate partially guilty for not withtheintentofeliminating Act which provide for the that the PPP/C Government solving the problem of the specified wrong doings Elector ‘to hand his or her had acknowledged, since deletion of the names of the (mischiefs).’ identification paper to the 2 0 0 5 , w h e n t h e y overseasdeadfromthelist.I

2. ‘Casting of votes, at Poll Clerk’ be amended to promulgated those have identified the real the 2020 elections, in the provide for the Elector to regulations,the possible problem and submitted a names of persons who were also have his or her finger mischief of votes being cast proposal which he has not either not present or dead prints, electronically, for persons not-present. Yet addressed nor have the was verified by the relevant matched with those of the in Nandlall‘s letters of Government nominated authorities.’This is a wrong named Elector which was November 20 and 21 he Commissioners at GECOM doing that needs to be captured at the time of sought to suggest that I was addressed it. He ignores it a d d r e s s e d I a l s o registration, as the basis for proposing, ‘approbating’, and they sideline it. My acknowledged the Chief the determination of his or theinvocationofRegulation proposal on bio metric Justice‘s Ruling that the heridentityandeligibilityas 40.Indoingsohecompletely finger print identification at RegisterofRegistrantscould a p a r t i c u l a r ignored what I actually the place of poll has not be retired or names voter/elector/registrant ” proposed in my letter of languished at GECOM for deleted from it other than The letter which included November7,2022andcited months Thankfully, he those of the registered dead. this recommendation was above. accepts that the overseas The implication being that also copied to the Minister In Nandlall‘s letters of deadstillresideonourvoters the extracted voters‘ list responsible for Governance. November 20 and 21, he list. would have the names of In effect, I was contributing indulges in skirting the 2. He regurgitates all of persons whose deaths were totheprocessforthereform issues,blamingothersforhis themeasuresthatareinplace not registered, including the of the electoral laws. No omissions and seeking to to stop voter impersonation thousands of registered acknowledgement or refute the irrefutable. Here andonthatbasis Guyanesewhodieoverseas. response was received. On are some examples of those

Public Servants 8% is a subversion of equality

DEAREDITOR, This announcement is that it is not the President’s couldhardlybeproudofthe mythicalstructureof‘salary themostconstipatedcaketo President Ali has nothing to be excited about. fault; rather more the treatment meted out to scales’. beingestedanywhere… announcedanincreaseof8% It is merely another ‘grant’ constipated mindset of his possiblythemostproductive Thelatteronceagainnot It would be interesting to on salaries retrospective to forChristmas. so called professional component of the public utilized, so that indifferent observehowitwouldtasteto January01,2022for:Public Thisunilateralgestureis advisors–indeedasituation service our education management results in the the Public Service Union, Servants, Teachers, once again a profound that all previous political system managed and chronic situation known as Guyana Teachers’ Union, Disciplined Services; subversionofequalitywhich Administrations of the last deliveredbyTeachers ‘bunching’,whichisamost Te a c h i n g S e r v i c e Constitutional Office is otherwise touted – in a threedecadeshavesuffered. Why is this insistence in demotivating situation Commission, Guyana Holders; Government glaring insult to the Guyana In the milieu however, it ignoring the fact that the wherein those recruited in Nurses’ Association; and Pensioners. PublicServiceUnionandthe does not appear that the r e l a t e d j o b a n d 2022 at whatever level, will The Public Service There is also indication GuyanaTeachersUnion. advisers referred to the compensation structures enjoyexactlythesamebasic Commission (when of further adjustments to Itisnotasifthisgesture Budget of 2022 to be were conceived and salary as his/her counterpart appointed), Private Sector ‘specific categories of of imperialism is not being reminded that all jobs listed implemented since the withseveralyearsofservice. Commission, which are all workers’ Further observed by our Caricom thereinareofpublicservice; colonial era, and have It is not as if the Harold members of ONE NATION i m p r o v e m e n t s f o r counterparts and other soitisdifficulttounderstand become probably the most Lutchman Commission of required to share the small Policemen and Health informed agencies, the differentiation identified demotivating system of Inquiry into the Public slices for an indefinite workers including our own private in awards to the Police, remuneration in Guyana, Service of 2016 did not future.

Options are to be sector in relation to which prison ranks, and public Caricom and elsewhere. It address this fundamental Yoursfaithfully, identified for:Ranks of the thereisaMinistryofLabour health workers,for keepscryingoutforthemost compensation defect most E.B.John Police Force, Prison required to insist on example. comprehensive consultancy comprehensively, but it Human Resources Service, Fire Service It is negotiations between This is not to say that reviewinourhistory continues to be ignored to Management also reported that a ‘similar Employer and Employee theymaynotdeservespecial Space does not allow the nationwide stress of and Organisation exercise’is being conducted This non negotiable attention;buttoreinforcethe opportunity to present permanent pensionable DevelopmentConsultant for employees in Public constipated increase, once official fact that they fall details of even the internal PublicServants Health – Nurses, Doctors, more, dishonours our within the constitution of inconsistencies which have But it is not say that the Interns and other health constitutional rights ‘Public Servants’ been made available several aforementioned situation careprofessionals. However,itcouldbeargued Meanwhile, the advisers timespubliclybythiswriter has not been ignominiously

WhyisNandlallsofiercelyopposing...

Frompage4 responsibility for delivering whichIposedinmyletterof contendsthatitcannotoccur a “free, fair and compliant November 7, 2022 If That at best is conjecture. elections”, it is the reform Nandlall accepts that we are Thefactis,itdidoccur process, which is under his yet to find a mechanism for The correlation of the command that can propose the removal of the names of names of those listed on the theamendmentofSection69 the overseas dead from the pink voters‘ list as having of the Representation of the voters‘ list, why is he so votedand the immigration PeopleActtoprovideforthe fiercely opposing finger records clearly identifies use of electronic bio-metric print identification at the persons who were not in the finger print identification at placeofpoll? country and for whom votes theplaceofpoll.

Yourstruly, werecast. I close my case by VincentAlexander

3. While, GECOM has embellishing the question

But there is the more compounded by the psychological stress factor introduction of the category whichneedstobebroughtto of ‘Contracted Employees’ attention once again to all recruited at any salary at all Administrations, which levels, much to the chagrin continue to be pompously of a non-functioning Public ignored,whichisthatnoone ServiceCommission anywhere had benefitted So that in the final over the last three decades analysis all that we have for from what is now the Christmas2022isthegiftof

Voters list for local government’s election published - GECOM

Opposition Member of GECOM, however, in a uploaded to the Elections Parliament (MP), Mervin Press Release issued just Commission’s website, it Williams on Tuesday said moments before Williams has been posted throughout that no voters list for the made his statement related all the divisions across the u p c o m i n g L o c a l thatithasalreadypostedthe country Government Elections has Revised List of Electors

T h e E l e c t i o n s been published, but (RLE) in the public domain Commissioninitsstatement according to the Guyana forscrutiny disclosedthatithadtomake Elections Commission “GECOMhaspostedthe this known after a group of (GECOM) that is ‘far from Revised List of Electors protestors on Monday thetruth’. (RLE), in the public domain showed up in front of the its

The MP was at the time for scrutiny in compliance office with placards stating:

added that, “It is, therefore, wholly misleading for any

speaking at a Press with the Regulation which ‘GECOMit’slongoverdue’, person or organization to Conference when he said, mandates that this be done ‘21 days and still no OLV p e r p e t u a t e t h e “We are 20 days away from for the statutory required (Officiallistofvoters)List’, disinformation that the thedayfornomination,now twenty one (21) days with ‘GECOM stop the nonsense publication of the RoVs the Local Government effect from November 4, and clean the list’, ‘21 days (Registers of Voters (voters Elections Authority Act 2022,”statedtheagency toNominationDay’,‘where list)isoverdue”. addressesthepreparationfor GECOM’s Public istheOLV’.

T h e E l e c t i o n s aRegisterofVoters(RoVs), Relations Officer, Yolanda GECOM labeled the Commission also sought to asoftoday’sdatethereisno Ward clarified too that phrases seen as “grossly address the Opposition’s suchlist” although the RLE is not yet inaccurate information” and calls for the list to be sanitizedbystatingthat,“its operations continue to be guided by the applicable constitutional and legal provisions.

Opposition members including Opposition Leader,AubreyNortonhave iteratedconsistentlythatitis their view that the list that GECOM wants to use may be bloated and needs to be cleaned from dead voters and those who might be livingabroad.

GECOM reminded in its release,thatnamesonthelist are taken from the National Register of Registrants (NRR) and to remove anyone from the NRR without any legal basis wouldbeunlawful.

T h e E l e c t i o n s Commission added that removal of names from the NRR can only be done “legally through the receipt of monthly death reports from the General Registers Office (GRO) and through theObjectionsaspectofany Claims and Objections exercise, which allows for any elector, or suitably accredited Scrutineers of Political Parties, to object to theinclusionofthenamesin the Preliminary List of Electors(PLE),whomaynot beeligibleforinclusion”.

DEAREDITOR, Sir.” Jagan, Burnham, and In the September 2022 Rodney would have been so Glenn Lall’s showdown disappointed that all their interview where he anti imperialist, anti clobberedtheVicePresident, colonialist education have the VP had dodged the been tossed aside at such a questionwhetherExxonwill timeasthis. pulloutofGuyanaifcontract The Oil Minister is renegotiationwasrequested. reported as saying, “it could Glenn: “You honestly not only risk chasing away believethatExxonwillclose Investors but even hurt the operationsandleaveGuyana country’sreputationasasafe if we ask for more royalty?” haven for companies’ VP Jagdeo said: “I don’t investments.” know, I don’t know, you Does the Minister forget asked for short answers, do that he is supposed to be talking up for Guyana, not you know?”The man who the exploiters? Guyanese usually knows all things, hoped oil would be the safe didnotknowthistime.

haven that will make all Now comes the Guyanese rich, as in the headline: ‘Govt fears MiddleEasternoilcountries. renegotiation of Exxon Instead, the oil is making all contract will chase away the foreigners filthy, investors, hurt country’s deliriouslyrich,whileour reputation Minister people live hand to Bharrat (KN, Nov 18, mouth.OurPoliticiansare 2022).’OurOilMinister– more concerned about aformercomputerteacher buttering up foreigners is parroting the here to ship away our Government’sposition. wealth under easy, give

The fact is people are a w a y t e r m s a n d beatingdownthedoorsto conditions,someofwhich get to Guyana because apparently violate they know we have a Guyana’slaws.Why?

basement bargain ‘Dollar The Minister is Tree’sale going on. They concerned about know that we have the foreigners “investments worst oil contract in the being “secured ” Our historyofoilintheworld, people want their present and our leaders do not and future to be secured wanttochangethat. too. It’s “Our Wealth and

They think our Our Country” but we the political leaders are push- ordinary people are overs and ‘packoos,’ and suffering, while we read aswewouldsayatWhim, headlines how the oil “if you ketch a packoo, companies here are bussheback.”That’swhat boasting of Guyana being the major oil companies their “crown jewel”while have been doing to wearethecrumbsjewel. Guyana.

Since they are making

The foreigners know historic, unprecedented that we are ‘loosey goosey’ profits in Guyana, where when it comes to oil we pay their taxes, oil governance, oil monitoring, companies will never environmental monitoring, leave Guyana, if the enforcement of rules on Government asks for taxes/duties/insurance, renegotiation of the

auditing and accountability, StabroekBlock.ThePPPand andthatwearegenerallyillPNCmuststopbeingwimps prepared, lack capacity, and andbecome‘OneGuyana’in inexperiencedtomanageoil. fightingformoreincomefor They know that our its people. You can’t Politicians are open to ‘sucomplain about only 8% suing’andcanbeboughtand salaryincreasesandfailtobe that they will sell their advocates for renegotiation. countryout. KN and SN have been

They know that both the educating us about that Government and the renegotiation is the linchpin Opposition stand with to a better like for all. Wake foreign investors against the upGuyana! peopleofGuyana.

Sincerely, The foreigners call the Dr JerryJailall shots, and we salute, “Yes,

Protesters in front of GECOM’s Office on Monday.

Opposition MP, Mervin Williams

VPhad dodged Glenn Lall’s question whether Exxon will leave Guyana if asked to renegotiate

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OPPOSITION FINDING ITS VOICE ON OIL

At long last, theAPNU+AFC Coalition Opposition stepping up on oil

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The Guyanese people hope that its energy and newfound vigor on oil will last

The 2016 contract terms are so bad, that even the Opposition, who signed it, wants better

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As the Opposition finds its voice, the PPPfeeling its way

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It is no way, Jose. Not with Massa Routledge golden child

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‘Govt.treatingoilsectorascashcow’-Norton

...will continue to milk while Guyanese suffer

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on Tuesday accused the People’sProgressiveParty(PPP)of failing to safely manage Guyana’s burgeoningoilandgassector

Norton at his weekly Press Conference referenced theAuditor General’s (AG) Report which flagged the unavailability of equipment to respond to large oil spills, even as oil production increases.

The Opposition Leader in response to questions posed by KaieteurNewsinsistedthatthatthe Governmentmustberemovedfrom office for better management to

prevail.

“We have to organize with our citizens, we have to meet with people, educate them so that they understand the direction the Government is going and then we vote them out of office The solution to the problem is a new Government,”hesaid.

He continue, “It is not the first timethePPPisinGovernmentand what we are seeing is clearly an incompetent, corrupt, and divisive Governmentthatweneedtogetrid of and we will continue to engage the people to let them understand thatanddotheworktogetridofthe

People’sProgressiveParty.”

Norton surmised that the Government does not have a comprehensive approach to managingtheoilandgassector As anexample,theOppositionLeader referred to the recent announcement by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC that regulationswillsoonbeputinplace togoverntheLocalContentAct.

Norton argued that a “serious Government” would have made such provisions while crafting the law “Theyseeit(theoilsector)asa cash cow, they are going to milk it, they are going to get rich and then

they will go their way while the Guyanesepeoplecontinuetosuffer,” heremarkedwhileemphasisingthat the PPP is focused on “making money for themselves [and] about takingtheresourcesfromoilandgas andputtingitintoinfrastructureina way that it satisfies their cronies, theircontractors,etcetera”

TheAG in his Report appealed to the authorities for there to be a stocktaking exercise of all assets availablenationally,regionallyand internationally,foraquickresponse toanoilspillincident.

Inhisperformanceauditreport

Continued on page 12

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

ALL IN A DAY

Ayoungboylives to make his bed and tidy his After handing over the Thetwelve-yearoldthen afternoonhehastoattendto i n t h e room He then proceeds cows to his father, he proceeds into the house the kitchen garden and countrysidewith outside to the back of his proceeds to the standpipe in where he assists his smaller flower plants. His job is to

his family His house where the cow pens his yard where there are brothers and sisters to get each day water the various father is a Cow Herder and are located. For the next buckets and drums of water dressedandreadyforschool. plantswhicharegrowninhis his father reading the alsoafarmer Thisyounglad hour, he will milk the cows to be fetched. He has to fill Thenthefamilysitsdownto yard. He goes around the newspaperandmumblingto istwelveyearsold. thathavetobemilked.Heis manyofthesesothathimself aquickbutheartybreakfast. kitchengardentoseewhatis himself. He asks his father He awakes at 5:00 hrs. skilledinthisandtriestoget and siblings can bathe and Afterwards, he helps with ready for picking. He does what is the problem. The each day Since his parents asmuchmilkashecanfrom also to ensure that there is thedishesandwhateverelse this and takes the produce father says, “This is a lot of have instilled in him the thecows. sufficientinthehomeforthe he can in the kitchen before inside. nonsense!Ihaveneverheard importance of undertaking By the time this is daily housework After dashing off to bathe and Then he heads for the of a more deplorable idea. responsibilities in the home completed,itistimeforhim filling one bucket he places dressforschool. pasture where the cows are The Government has to be by doing basic chores, he to hand over to his father another bucket under the On those days, such as grazing.Thesunbythistime crazy to be even thinking doesnothavetobetoldwhat who will take care of the standpipewhilehetrucksthe Saturdays, when he is not at is setting in the west. The aboutdoingthis.” to do. His day follows a feeding and grazing of the filled container inside. This school,hehastogowithhis cows have to be herded and “What is it that the routine. cowsinthepasturesabackof routinecontinuesuntilallthe family house to house to guidedbackhome.Theyare Government is thinking

The first thing that he the farm which his family buckets are filled and inside deliver milk and the not always obedient and about doing?” asks the doesongettingoutofbedis plants. thehouse. remainder of the morning is sometimes a few may go twelveyearold. spent at the market selling astray Itisquiteatiringtask Within lifting his head theproducethatisproduced andbythetimehegetsthem out of the newspaper, the on his family’s farm. On into the pens, night has set father says, “They are Sundays his additional andheisexhausted. thinking about allowing chores include sweeping the Butthedayofthisyoung children to do light work yardandwashingthefamily lad is not ended. He has to from age thirteen They car. help out around the house cannot be serious. Children

Frompage2 (UK) has consented to the alltheparties.” British Lawyer expressed a Court’s exercise of According to Professor desire to communicate with jurisdiction over Guyana’s Sands, this submission was an Arbitrator, or actually claims, in reference to the completelyflawed.“Thefact s o u g h t s u c h MonetaryGoldtest. that the UK is not expressly communication.”

“On Friday, [Guyana’s mentioned in Article IV is Further, Professor Sands team] explained that the irrelevant to the question of posited that Venezuela has 1966 Geneva Agreement whether or not the UK has offered no evidence of any embodies a clear expression consented to the Court misconduct or wrongdoing of consent by the UK to the exercising jurisdiction over by any Arbitrator “You Court’s exercise of Guyana’s claims The cannot make such jurisdiction over Guyana’s existence of that consent is allegations without claims, which explains why manifested and evidenced evidence. the issue of its participation through the UK’s signing of

But since his parents when he finishes and after should not be allowed to value education, he is not dinner he has to tidy the workatsuchayoungage.” allowed to miss school. dishes. By the time he is (The views expressed in Every weekday therefore he finished,thereislittletimeto this articles are those of the hastoattendschool. relax or study since he has author and do not

After school he comes been taught the importance necessarily reflect the home and after having a ofagoodnight’ssleep. opinions and beliefs of this snack he goes to get his One night, just before n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s watering can Each retiring, the young lad sees affiliates.)

Agreement, the UK

There is none That, asapartytotheproceedings the Geneva Agreement,” he presumably, is why doesnotarise. Wehopedto submitted. Venezuela said nothing — hear a meaningful, Professor Sands nothing—aboutthematerial substantive response to explained that “By signing to which we drew your Guyana’s argument,” the andbeingapartytothe1966 attention,”hesaid. Lawyersubmitted.

Meanwhile, the Lawyer Hecontinued,“Professor consented to all of the noted that Venezuela’s Palchetti’s principal provisionsoftheAgreement, Attorney, Professor response was to assert that including Article IV It has Palchetti,failedtoputstrong Article IV of the Geneva consentedtoallprocessesfor arguments to the Court on Agreement provided no the resolution of the why Guyana’s case should support for Guyana’s controversy conducted in bestruckout. argument, since those conformity with those

Further, Professor Sands provisions make no mention provisions, including those said Venezuela failed to of the UK and are, he said, conducted pursuant to the properly address the claim intended only to set out process established under that the United Kingdom practical arrangements for ArticleIV(2).”

Dem boys seh...

VOTING GAN BECOME LIKE OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT

By de time de riggers done with de job letter from your employee and, to add election system, it gan gat rules like de insult to injury letter from your Doctor to AMLCFTlaws.Goingtodepollingstation showdatyouarenotdeadandletterfromde gan be like go to de bank fuh open a new passportofficefuhshowyuhstillinGuyana. account.

If yuh pass dat test yuh still gat fuh go Dem get ketch cheating de election and through de finger print machine. If de demtryingfuhhidedemshamebyshedding machine stick, nor nah wukking, yuh can’t blamepundesystem.Butisnatdesystemis vote. deproblem;isdemwahtryingfuhcheatde Dat is de type of safeguards wah de system. riggerswantfuhprotectdeelectionssystem. Islikeifathiefmancomeinyuhhouse. Butdemboysknowdatdehgataneasier Andwhenhegetketch,heblameyoufuhnot way Banderiggersfromtekkingpartinde grillingyuhwindows.Datishowbarefaced elections and deh nah gan gat no problem. de riggers are. Dem blaming de system fuh DeInternationalOlympicCommittee(IOC) demcheatinghabits. did ban Russian athletes from participating Yuh gan gat to produce two forms of in de Olympics because of cheating. So photo identification Yuh national nutting wrang with banning cheaters from identificationcardgancan’twuk.Inorderto weelections. vote yuh gan also need proof of address, a Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

DRS.SUGRIM,SAMAROOAND WATSONOFGPHCANDJAYLENO’SFACE

Isuffered serious thatcutouttheneedtospend are here in Guyana and I for each. Do not accept my the news posing with ailments recently huge amounts on foreign benefited from their word; go to ANSA-McAl the nurses that took a n d w i t h m y doctors. patriotic presence in our and find out how much care of him after he

personal budget I For orthopedic surgery, country synvisccosts. suffered serious burns the best medical treatment had to travel to Georgetown Drs. Samaroo and Watson Secondly, on that very If we stop gas and oil onhisface.Lookattheface available to him in the US. Public Hospital First I areverygood. day (yesterday), I had operation, then please tell of Leno outside the But those folks who are picked up a terrible eye For eye treatment, I completed and submitted me where I am going to get GrossmanBurnCentre.You getting constant press infection I went to Dr would recommend Dr my column early in the $80,000everysixweeksfor would not believe he had coverage and who aren’t Sugrim at the Georgetown Sugrim before you make morningsinceIhadtoleave my knees when GPHC may seriousfacialburns. coming back, according to PublicHospitalCorporation unnecessary travel abroad. for the hospital. And the not bring in the drug any He had top class Dr Persaud, have the best (GPHC) and I was Dr Sugrim has treated me column was on a group of longer, because of no treatmentthatisavailableto the developed world has to successfullytreated. three times in the past. He diaspora folks who signed a income the Government those Guyanese that Dr offer Bothofmykneesranout wasfirstintroducedtomeby letter in the newspapers earns from exports from its Persaud told me are not

This is the point I have of their functions and I was Dr George Norton many, advocating the cessation of industries. comingback,butwantusto been emphasizing in my treated yesterday at GPHC. manyyearsago. operationsintheoilandgas Drs Samaroo and stop oil operations here entirelifeinGuyana. Orthopedic surgeons Drs. Yesterday,asIwaitedfor industry Watson told me I have to Please see my column

The Minister of Natural Samaroo and Watson went the Doctors to treat me, and Thirdly, I sat in that line receive the injections every yesterday for a list of those Resources,putitbeautifully out of their way to see I the ‘millions’ I saw in the thinking about what Dr sixweeks, diasporafolks. last week. He said that received superb treatment. I waitingrooms,Ireflectedon Randy Persaud told me (see I have been accused of I was losing my sight in Guyana should be for those encountered Dr Watson 13 our diaspora folks who do mycolumnyesterday)about beinginthepayofthePPP I 1999anditwasmyeditorat whostayed,enduredthelack years ago when he treated not have to spend hours in thoseforeignGuyanesewho may take up a future the Catholic Standard, of civilization, and have a mynephewforabrokenleg thequeuewheretheyliveas writeinthepressallthetime paycheckfromthePPPafter Father Andrew Morrison modern Guyana available atGPHC. welocalsdo. buttellhimallthetime,that learning that for the rest of that rushed me to the now Last week when Ravi Therewerethreereasons theyarenevercomingback. my life I have to find $80, Bascom Palmer Eye

(The views expressed in Deventeredthestudiotobe why I thought about the AfterIwastreated,Iwas 000everysixweeksifthere Hospital in Miami after this articles are those of the the guest on the Gildarie- diaspora at the Georgetown angrywiththatletterandits isnoGPHC.

Trinidad eye Doctors told author and do not Freddie Kissoon Show, we Hospital yesterday as I signatures. So I left GPHC at me they did not have the necessarily reflect the had a pre-show chat and I waited in the line. First, I receivedyesterdaytwo midday,wenthomeandhad facilities. opinions and beliefs of this indicated to him that this those three Doctors could injections,oneineachknee, breakfastandcheckedworld I could have gone blind n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s country has some globally earn fantastic sums in of a drug that is available at news.

in 1999 because I was not a affiliates.) first rate medical experts foreign countries but they ANSA-McAl for $40, 000 There was Jay Leno in diasporaGuyanesewhohad

FrederickKissoon

‘No decision on fate of AFC MPs’

…as Ramjattan confirms party’s exit from Coalition in December

”

No decision has been made by Opposition Leader, AubreyNortononthefateof the Alliance for Change (AFC) Members of Parliament(MPs)evenasthe party has signalled its intent to leave the Coalition come December31,2022

Norton at his weekly Press Conference said the AFC is yet to communicate its decision to leave the Coalition to him Presently, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the National Front Alliance (NFA), the Guyana Action Party (GAP), Equal Rights andJusticeParty(ERJP)and Guyana Nation Builders Movement (GNBM) form theAPartnershipforNational

Unity (APNU) The ERJP and the GNBM joined the Coalitioninthelastquarterof 2021

InAugustandSeptember 2020, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the Justice for All Party (JFA) respectively withdrew from the Coalition after irreconcilable differences

“We continue to believe in Coalition Wewillworkwith Coalition partners because wecontinuetoworkwiththe WPA(and) we will continue to do Coalition work,” Norton assured while noting that “we will live with what the reality is If the AFC decides it will go its way, so beit”TheOppositionLeader said,“Wedonotintendtobeg

anyone to stay in the Coalition Weunderstandthe positivesofCoalitionpolitics and we will continue to pursue Coalition politics all

theway

Specifically addressing the recall of AFC Parliamentarians, Norton said,“Whenweareformally communicated with, we will thenmakethedecisionsasto what we will do There are a number of options that exist and we will at the right time respond ”

The Opposition Leader was unable to state what optionsexistshouldtheAFC formally notify him of their exit “Idon’tknowwhatthe options are at this stage The optionswillbedependenton theannouncementatthetime andthesituationatthetime” However, Clerk of the NationalAssembly,Sherlock Isaacsinaninvitedcomment told Kaieteur News that Nortonhasnopowertorecall theOppositionMPs

“The Representative of the List (in this instance Mr David Granger) from which hisorhernamewasextracted, indicates in writing to the Speakerthataftermeaningful consultationwiththepartyor partiesthatmakeuptheList, that the party or parties have lost confidence in that m e m b e r a n d t h e Representative of the List issues a written Notice of Recall to that member and

forwards a copy of that Notice to the Speaker,” the Speakerexplained

Back in July, the AFC announced its decision to leavetheCoalitionbytheend of this year, when the CummingsburgAccord the agreement binding the two political groups comes to an end Chairperson of the party, Catherine Hughes explained that this position was agreed on at the party’s National Conference, where the200membersdecidedthat upontheexpiryofthecurrent agreement,arenewalwillnot befacilitated

Instead,shesaidtheAFC will focus on rebuilding and walkingonitsownfeet

I n m a k i n g t h e announcement she also explained that the party has already discussed reaching outtothesmallerpartiesthat contended in the 2020 elections,aswellastheTrade Unions When it comes to partnering with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Leader of theAFC, Khemraj Ramjattan said it is simply a ‘nonstarter’ unless the incumbent administration mendsits‘corrupt’waysand, in particular, commence a structured distribution of the accumulated wealth from oil

earnings

Last Friday, he pointed outthattheAFCisfirmonits decision to leave the Coalition In the meantime, theAFCsaiditwillcontinue to have a cordial working relationship with the APNU sinceitsharesthesameviews oncertainmatters,suchasthe need for a clean Voters List Ramjattan was keen to note that while they APNU and AFC will work together on several matters, the two will similarly air its independent views Ontheotherhand,the AFC Leader noted that its nine Members of Parliament will remain serving and will unite in Parliament with the APNUagainstthePPP

‘Govt.treatingoilsectorascash...

Frompage8

ofthecountry’sNationalOilSpillContingency Plan, Deodat Sharma (the AG) said the inventory should be compiled appropriate to the risks assessed and the ranges of environmental operating conditions at possible spill locations. Sharma was keen to note that his urgent recommendation is premisedonthefactthatalistofallresponse resourcesavailablefornational levelresponse toanoilspillisstilltobecompiledbytheCivil DefenceCommission(CDC).

“The Head of the Civil Defence Commission explained that the response resourcesreadilyavailableareappropriatefor responding to small spills but not medium or large oil spills A list of response resources is referenced in the National Oil Spill ContingencyPlanhowever;itonlyrepresents the equipment that is currently available in Guyana,”hesaidintheAuditReport.

In this regard, Norton believes that even thoughGovernmenthascommencedspending revenuefromthesector,itisyettodevelopthe requisite capacity In addition to oil spill response, Norton pointed to the nation’s capacity to conduct audits of the oil companies’expensesaswell.

Meanwhile, Economist and Opposition Spokesperson on oil and gas matters, Elson Low said that “the PPP has left Guyana in a veryvulnerableposition Weknowthatfirstof all they have refused to enforce any of the elements of the permits regarding full coverage insurance that they have refused to engagetheinsuranceissue.”

Lowalsoremindedthattherewasrecently anoilspilloffthecountry’scoastsforwhichno reportwaspublishedtoinformthenationasto

what exactly occurred As such, he reasoned, “youhavetoaskyourselfifthat’sgoingtobe the way that the Government treats with oil spills, if that’s going to be the way the Governmenttreatswithaveryhugeriskthat thecountryfacesthenIthinkweareinavery, I think the word tragic is also appropriate here.”

Presently,oilisbeingproducedintheLiza One andTwo fields in the Stabroek Block by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) also called ExxonMobil Guyana Athirdproject,Payaraisexpectedto comeonstreamnextyearwhichwilltakethe total oil production up from the present approximate300,000barrelsperdaytoabout 500,000barrelsperday

Meanwhile, the fourth project,Yellowtail, with a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross barrels of oil per day has been givenapprovalforstartupin2025

Itmustbenotedthatwhiletheseactivities are taking place, Government is yet to secure full liability coverage from ExxonMobil to ensure they take full responsibility for the damagescausedbyanoilspill,whichwillnot be covered by the limited insurance offered bytheoperatoroftheBlock.

The oil company assured that there is US$600M that has been put aside by the StabroekBlockoperatorstocoveroilspillsper disasterintherichStabroekBlock Inaddition to that, it was reported that a US$2B parent companyguaranteeisbeingnegotiated.

This means, however, that the immediate clean up finances could only amount to US$26B, meaning Guyana could be left to foot the additional charges that may be associatedwithanoilspill

Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

Police arrest suspects in Laing Avenue killing

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have arrested two suspects who were wanted in connection with the murder of Dexter McFarlene of Laing Avenue,WestRuimveldt,Georgetown. TheduowasarrestedatNo.53Village, Corentyne,BerbiceonMonday Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bhaccussaidthemen,oneofwhomisa teenager,werearrestedbetween16:00h and 17:45h during an intelligence-led operation.

The older suspect has been identified as Shemroy Patterson, 23, a security guard of Lot 164 Castello Housing Scheme and Linden and the other suspect is a 16 year old of Albouystown. The duo is currently assistingpolicewiththeinvestigation.

Meanwhile, Police Tuesday night issuedawantedbulletinfor30-year-old Andrew Ridley called ‘Aids Man’ of 173 Campbell Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

OnNovember11,2022,ashoot-out between four men at Laing Avenue resultedinthedeathofMcFarlenewho wasonhiswayhome,justafewmeters awayfromwherehewasshot.

KaieteurNewshadinitiallyreported thatMcFarlenehadjuststeppedoutfrom

a bus when he was shot He reportedly fell into a drain where he remained motionless while the shooters escaped The bullet was reportedly not intended for McFarlene, but for a lone gunman who was being chased through Laing Avenuebythreemen

Policereportedthatthreemenwere seen running behind one another The manbeingchasedreportedlyturnedoff fromFrontRoad,WestRuimveldt,and onto Laing Avenue, where McFarlene waswalkingatthetime.

As the gunmen pursued the man theywerechasing,oneofthemopened fire behind him and a bullet struck McFarlene instead, killing him. Crime SceneDetectiveswhovisitedthescene shortlyaftersaidthatMcFarlane’sbody boreasinglegunshotwoundtotheleft sidechest.

The gunmen were chasing their target all the way from Independence Boulevard.

Arrested: Shemroy Patterson

The International Labour

Organization (ILO) has completed two separate studies on the skills needed for the oilandgasandconstructionsectors here and will present the findings on30November2022.

The reports provide an overview of the main profiles and competencies needed in either industry during the period 20222026 as resulting from dedicated establishment surveys and interviewswithlocalstakeholders, ILOsaidinaPressRelease.

The UN Agency said the informationcancontributeshaping the ongoing reform of the education and training system in

ILO study to shed light on skills needed for oil and gas sector in Guyana

Guyanatoaddressissuesofaccess, equity, quality and relevance in relationtothechangingdemandsof the economic and social environment.

“The ILO estimates that nearly six million people are directly employed by the petroleum industry and over ten times that number of jobs are indirectly created by the industry Similarly, theconstructionindustrygenerates jobs for large numbers of people and produces a wide range of products with diverse enterprises. The findings will be presented by DiegoRei,Specialist,Employment and Labour Market Policies, and Miguel Macias, Manager of the

Consultancy firm, Blindspot who co-authoredthestudy

Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge during a Kaieteur Radio programme last yearhadnotedthatapopulationof less than one million people with ninebillionbarrelsofoilresources to develop will bring challenges such as a shortage of skills Greenidge said that Guyana has been suffering from a skills shortage since the 1990s, noting that even in 2030, it is highly unlikely that Guyana will generate therangeanddepthofskillsneeded to fully exploit its oil resources extensivelyortoevenalignwithits own ambitions for the resources

that are available. “You need far more engineers, economists, and geophysicists…And I know this statementmaygetmeintroublebut half the time you can’t even find competent secretaries But certainly, one of the issues facing Guyanaintheoilsectoristheneed togeneratemoreskills…”

Only recently Professor Leyland Lucas during a panel discussion hosted by the Guyana BusinessJournalandmoderatedby Dr Terrence Blackman, an Associate Professor of Mathematics, said Guyana’s success with its Local Content legislationisinextricablylinkedto how it deals with the current

shortage of skills needed for the newindustry Hepositedthatrapid skills development is critical not just for the technical aspects of oil andgasbutalsoforthelowhanging fruitsoflocalcontent.

Dr Lucassaid,“therearesome realities that we must bear in mind when having a conversation about local content and its effectiveness. There is no perfect piece of legislation and what has been created will go through several iterations over the years simply because we have to deal with the realitiesofourenvironment.”

Lucas further added, “we are implementingapolicyatatime

Georgetownfloodsagain!

course of the day.

Tuesday resulted in many city streets being flooded.

The hydrometeroloigst’s Office had warned of heavy

several Coastal Regions and Inland areas during the

In Georgetown, flood waters were unusually high and resulted in drivers of vehicles being unable to distinguish the road from trenches.

T h i s c a u s e d s o m e vehicles to topple or b e c o m e s t u c k i n t h e trenches and pot holes.

Fourth Edition of the ‘Who’s Who in Guyana’ Business Directory launched

TheFourthEditionofthe,‘Who’sWhoinGuyana’ Business Directory was officially launched at the MarriotHotelonSundaybytheTourismIndustry andCommerceMinister,OneidgeWalrond.

This year the Magazine features 215 businesses, comparedto74whenthefirsteditionwaslaunchedin2019. Giving some insights into the Magazine, Vishnu Doerga of ActionInvestCaribbeanInc.notedthatwhiletheeconomyis drivenbytheextractivesector,thereisastrongfutureinthe agriculture,manufacturingandtourismsectors.

“I’dlikeustobeveryhappythatweareacountrythat isladenwithopportunitiesandthatweusethistoolaswell topromoteGuyana,”Doergasaid.

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment,PeterRamsaroop,whiledeliveringremarksatthe launch,spokeofthehugepotentialforbusinessdevelopment inGuyana.

“Do not be left behind, be involved, listen to his Excellency and our Administration as we put our plans together.ItisallforenablingthePrivateSector,tobeable to deliverbetteron theirservices and forevery citizen of Guyana regardless of our race of colour, texture of our hairorpolitical affiliation, all of us have the opportunity tobenefitfromourprosperity,”Ramsaroopsaid.

The British High Commission has also been very supportive of the Magazine and continues to support any advancement of the magazine according to British High CommissionertoGuyana,H.E.JaneMiller

“The Growth in the number of people here and the directorysayssomethingaboutwhat’shappeningherein Guyana as it relates to the incredible growth and huge opportunitiesforthePrivateSector.Abusinessdirectory like this will be so useful for them to understand, who is here,whoarethepeoplethataredeliveringservices,who can they potentially partner with in the future,” AmbassadorMillersaid.

According to its website, the directory ‘serves organizationsseekingtoinvestinbuildand/orexpandvarious forms of strategic alliances in Guyana. It is organised by economic sectors and provides a customized layout of company profiles, contact information, and photographs of key players within the organization: directors, senior executives,andmanagement.’(DPI)

Committeetorevise AmerindianActtobe establishedbeforeyearend

TheMinistryofAmerindianAffairsincollaborationwith the Ministry of Legal Affairs, will be establishing a Committee that will be responsible for consultations on the revisionoftheAmerindianAct,beforetheendofthisyear

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai while meeting with residents of Kaburi, Region Seven recently madethedisclosure.

“TheGovernmentgaveus$10millionthisyeartoensure that the mechanism is put in place for next year’s direct consultationwitheveryvillage,theCommitteewillbesetup and the Secretariat will be launched this year,” Minister Sukhai told residents according to a Department of Public Informationreport.

The Committee will be responsible for making recommendations and engaging with every single Amerindiancommunity,tosolicitrecommendationsthatwill eventuallymakeuptheamendedAmerindianAct.$10million had already been earmarked by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry in 2022, to establish the Committee, the modalities oftheconsultationprocessandthetrainingofFacilitators.

TheAmerindianAffairs Minister added, “We expect that Secretariat of that Committee to launch the consultation so thatwewillbeabletocareandmeetwitheachvillagetohear whatisit,whatyouwanttochangeintheact,becausesofar, the act is one of the modern act in the history of indigenous peopleacrosstheworld.”

Guyana’s Tourism Minister, Oneidge Walrond (2nd right) and other high profile officials unveils the cover of the ‘Who’s Who in Guyana’Business, 2022 edition

FiredestroyssectionofNewAmsterdamhouse

Fire of unknown origin destroyedasectionofatwostorey house located at Princess Elizabeth Road, NewAmsterdam,Berbice.

Accordingtoreports,the house was occupied by a

vagrant identified as 57y e a r o l d A l e a c i a Globewarner The old twostorey wooden was owned b y D r C h a n d , a Gynecologist who has since died.

PoliceinaPressRelease said that at about 22:50h on Monday, Globewarner was asleepinthelowerflatofthe building when awaken by heatandsmokecomingfrom the southern section of the lower flat. “…As a result of same Aleacia Globewarner

[said] as the heat became intensify Aleacia e v e n t u a l l y t h r e w combustibles into the fire and managed to quickly ran out the building,” Police said.

TheGuyanaFireService (New Amsterdam), Berbice DepartmentTendersNo.101 and 74, and Water Carrier No 7 were immediately summoned to the location where the blaze was contained. Investigations areongoing.

The house partially destroyed by fire

Suspect in Linden Teacher's Body found under bridge identified

The decomposing

remains of a man found under a bridge at Schuler andGomesOpticalServices on Brickdam was on Tuesdayidentified.

According to police the body has been identified as Abdool Shaheed Khan of 137 Best Road Squatting Area, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the

causeofdeath.

Khan's body was found on Wednesday last after a f o u l s c e n t b e c a m e unbearable to the owner of the private eye clinic, Don Gomes, and other residents living close by.Gomes had told Reporters that he became aware of the foul smell since the previous Sunday, but did not know whereitwascomingfrom.

He reportedly cleaned

his premises and washed his entire yard with all kinds of detergents but the smell remained and got worse. Last Wednesday it became unbearable and Gomes along with some helpers traced the scent to the section of a drain in front of his premises that was coveredwithplanks. They removed the planks only to discover the bodyofadeadman.

$10M in Ganja found at No. 78 Village sea dam

murder found dead

Leston Baynes, the 28-year-old truck driver who was the suspect in the stabbing death of 22-year-old Kelly Charlotte, was on Tuesdaymorningfounddeadinanabandoned houseatWismar,Linden.

Commander Hugh Winter, Regional Police Division #10, said that Baynes' body was found hanging in the abandoned house. Police were on the hunt for the 28-year-old man following the killing of Charlotte on Sundaynight.

Police said that at about 06:40h, Silver Baynesa54-year-oldbusinessmanofWismar, Linden called the Wismar Police Station and reported that he received information that his nephewLestonBaynes'boywashanginginan abandonedhouseatAndyVille,Wismar “Shortly after, at about 07:00 hrs, Police visited the scene. A rank examined the body, but no mark of violence was seen on the exposed part. The body was escorted to the Linden Hospital Complex where Leseton Baynes was pronounced dead by Doctor Dorrego,”Policesaidinapressrelease.

Baynes' body is currently at G. Jetsto Funeral Home, awaiting a Post Mortem Examination.

On Sunday night, Baynes stabbed Charlotte, a teacher of the Christianburg PrimarySchoolandmotherofhissontodeath atOneMileExtension,Wismar,Linden.

Police in a report said that at about 10:00h on Sunday, the suspect visited the home and collected his son and at about 21:15h, he returned with the child. On his arrival, Charlotte went to the front door to collect the child and upon opening the door, she met her demise.

The deceased's sister, 27-year-old Rayan Prince said she was in the kitchen when she heardhersistershoutingandcallinghername. Shesaidsherantothefrontofthehousewhere she saw the suspect stabbing her sister with a knife.

“Itriedholdingshe,andthisboylookingat

Dead: Leston Baynes

me with the knife…I could not have done anything else, I run in the bedroom with my kids and that was it, the kids saw everything…I went into the bedroom and called the Police,” the distraught woman told Kaieteur News

The traumatised woman told Kaieteur News that her sister was stabbed several times beforethesuspectdroppedtheknifeandmade goodhisescape.

Charlotte had only recently ended her abusive relationship with Baynes and was residing with Prince. She died on her way to the Linden Hospital Complex, where she was being transported by police and relatives.The woman's body was taken to the Pensioner's Funeral Home, and is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Sections of City swamped

...NDIA said to be monitoring pumps, sluices

Ranks from the Customs

Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Tuesday found some $10M worth of marijuana stashed on the No. 78 Village Sea dam, Corentyne, Berbice,RegionSix.

A Press Release from CANU said that during a thorough search of thearea,severalparcelsofsuspected cannabis hidden behind a wooden structurewerefoundontheseadam.

“Officers made checks around the area in an attempt to identify and apprehend the individuals but were unsuccessful,” the Press Release said.

The parcels of narcotics were taken to CANU's Skeldon Office, Corentyne, Berbice where they were tested and positively identified as cannabis. The cannabis weighed 79 6kg with a street value of approximatelyG$10M.

Investigationsareongoing.

Wi t h s e c t i o n s o f Georgetown knee deep waters as result of heavy rains, the Ministry of Agriculture said that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has stepped up its monitoring ofallpumpsandsluicesinthe city

In a Press Release Tuesday evening the Ministry said following approximately four inches of rainfall recorded today and the anticipated high-intensity rainfall in the coming days, a team from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), led by Zulfikar Mustapha inspected drainage pumps and sluices in the city with the view of making any necessary interventions to avoid any flooding as a result of anticipated rainfall. The NDIA assigned three engineers to the City who

will monitor on a 24-hour basis to ensure all pumps and sluices are operable and open on time to minimise any possible flooding in Georgetownanditsenvirons.

Further, the NDIA informs residents of Georgetown that the Princess Street pump is now inoperable after it came into contact with a piece of wood.

TheNDIAisintheprocessof extracting the pump to effect repairs and will work around the clock to ensure that it becomes operable in the shortest possible time. This, however, could have a severe impact on the effectiveness with which water is drained from the land, particularly in light of anticipated high intensity rainfall in the comingdays.

The NDIA is therefore urging citizens to desist from wantonly dumping garbage and other refuse in

waterways and in the vicinity ofpumps.Thisactcouldhave catastrophic consequences for communities. Only a few days ago, His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali posted images on his Facebookoflargeamountsof debris, including metals, vehicle tyres, plastic barrels andothertrashremovedfrom the Kitty Pump Station during the recent national clean up exercise As a matter of fact, some 38 tyres wereremoved.

These irresponsible acts will continue to have severe negative impacts on flood management in communities and we, therefore, urge residents to be responsible whendisposingofgarbage.

We urge citizens to continue to exercise precaution during this period and to report any flooding or possible flooding to the NDIA.

The drugs found stashed at No.78 Village sea dam, Corentyne, Berbice

Police ranks using sledge hammers to break off piece of the bridge to remove the trapped remains from underneath.

WANTED

Driver, sales man, porters to work in warehouse. Must have experience , attractive salary offered. Call: 6964444.

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

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

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

Diesel Mechanic, Security Guards, Office Cleaner.Tele: 227-1964, 225-7442, 6236383

Urgently need one female bar assistant/ kitchen attendant for the Interior. Call: 689-4461/ 662-6254 for more info.

Male porters ages 18-30yrs & female cooks for supermarket in the Interior. Call: 687-7638 /691-3942.

Experience Carpenters and Masons preferable from E.C.D or East Bank. Contact 614-7669 RJD Construction.

Seamstress, Tailor wanted. Call/ Whatsapp: 691-1918.

Live-in domestic/ maid and canter driver to work in the Interior. Call: 614-1819.

Carpenters, masons & labourers required. Call: 645-9805.

VACANCY

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

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

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

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

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

One clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade one or two, email application to: techserigy @yahoo.com or call 6159132.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area call 6159132.

Water Delivery Driver and Porter for E.C.D. Tel: 6761363/692-6768.

Wanted: Experienced supervisor, cashier, counter person, cooks and labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp andNew Market Sts.

Caregiver to take care of elderly woman, must be 30-35 yrs old in Georgetown on weekends. Call: 650-5496.

Vacancy at People's Choice kitchen for two experienced cook & pastry maker. Call: 679-9449.

For female cleaner. apply in person to Alabama Trading @ 65 Robb Street Bourda.

VACANCY

Pharmacist & Pharmacy Technician needed. Apply to: Essential Care Pharmacy & Supercentre, Block X Mandela Avenue or G3 Building Diamond East Bank Demerara or E-mailessentialcarepharmacy@ yahoo.com

Teens arrested for assaulting Police Constable

Two teenagers were on Tuesday arrested for assaulting a Police Constable at Republic Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

In custody are 18-year-old Quincy King and 19-year-old Christopher Abrams both of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.

According to Police, at about 08:00h, the duo assaulted the police identified as Constable Fredricks who was attempting to provide them with traffic instructions in the vicinity of a pedestrian crossing.

The teens failed to adhere to the instructions of the Constable. The entire

ordeal was caught on camera and shared across social media. Police said that Abrams was seen in the video punching the Constable repeatedly before the Law Enforcement Officer fell to the ground. The Constable defended himself by punching Abrams as he

attempted to escape on his motorcycle.

The Constable was forced to seek medical attention following the fight. He was treated and sent away.

Meanwhile, the teens are expected to be slapped with charges soon.

ILO study to shed light on skills needed...

FOR SALE

Good quality carpets for sale at reasonable price. Call: 669-9258.

Ginger, tumeric and morocott fish for sale at wholesale and retail. Call: 669-9258

From page 15 when many of the skills that are necessary to really take advantage of what I would call the high end opportunities just do not exist within the system. Therefore, one of the critical things will be skills development and how quickly we can do this.”

While he posits that skills development is critical, Dr. Lucas said stakeholders must bear in mind that the skills vacuum will not be fixed overnight.

Notwithstanding, one of the leading Trade Union Organizations, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) in a statement earlier this year, had said that through its regular interaction with workers of the oil sector, it was simply aghast to learn of the level of foreign involvement to the detriment of our own Guyanese.

SERVICES

Visa application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

Adult Learn to swim program, Every Wednesday & Thursday, at Swimtropolis, Enachu Street Sec. K C/ Ville. Call Edna on 614-9340.

Dr. Lucas continued by saying, “there will be a number of development initiatives that will have to take place and some will involve short courses or quick turnaround programmes and others will involve taking advantage of more long term opportunities.

So one of the questions we really have to grapple with is how quickly do we ramp up those trainings, how quickly do we take advantage of some of those local content opportunities, while at the same time ensuring that quality does not suffer.”

Labour market dominated by foreigners

LEGAL NOTICE

The Union said then that while almost in a knee-jerk fashion it is said that Guyanese lack qualification, skill, and experience to undertake certain tasks in an effort to justify expatriate labour, “we have learnt that some firms have employed foreign labour for tasks which Guyanese can undertake. For instance, we learnt a well known foreign company has recruited foreign nationals as drivers, mechanics, and other trades.

Another firm has employed foreigners to undertake labouring tasks.

benefitting from housing, subsistence, and other allowances while our Guyanese brothers and sisters receive nothing of the sort. “Worse yet it appears that many of the foreigners engaged have not received permission to work in Guyana yet are allowed employment without even paying income taxes to the State. We are unaware of whether Immigration Officials are aware of such developments though locals shared with us that, it appeared, these companies operate with impunity and no fear of repercussion,” the Union said.

Labour market

FOR RENT

2 and 3 Bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments to rent. Tel:# 682-2585, 6648641, 691-1432.

One business spot on Durban Street, $60,000 per month. Call: 623-2900.

3 apartment house for rent (furnished) located on South Road, for business or residence. Call: 614-0495.

Three bedrooms unfurnished upstairs at New Road, Vreed-en-hoop. Call: 604-6664 or 682-6238.

Professional pastry maker needed. Must be able to make burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, dhal puri, etc. Call: 678-4275/ 694-4481.

Room attendant and laundry attendant, 25-50 years old at South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-2304.

Data Entry clerk needed. Apply to: Essential Care Pharmacy & Supercentre , Block X Mandela Avenue or G3 Building Diamond East Bank Demerara Or Via E-mail - essentialcarepharmacy@ yahoo.com

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

LEGAL NOTICE

Juman-Yassin and Associates

Legal Practitioners K.A Juman- Yassin S.C., A.AAttorney-at-law PUBLIC NOTICE The public is hereby informed that the following lands belong to the Estate of Noor Mohammad Khan and are the subject of ongoing Court proceedings to determine title.

These lands are not for sale and anyone purchasing them will not have legitimate legal title or transport.

Block: XII, Zone: Berbice River West, District: Cotton Tree, Plan: COS 649, Parcels: 281- Lot 6,805,758,747, 722,17 B,18B,22B,1271, 1269,1268,1245,1244, 1507,1000C,1032,1118, 1202, 808, 764,745,727 ,807,763,746,725,726

.Beneficiaries of the Estate of Noor Khan.

MR. K.A Juman-Yassin, S.C Attorney-at-law

“While another has imported labour to perform the tasks of artisans. In all instances, we believe, Guyanese possess the requisite skills and experience but are being sidelined in favour of foreigners. Just recently, we recollect, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, alluding to displaced and highly competent workers from the sugar industry being able to take up employment in the burgeoning oil sector,” the statement by GAWU further said

According to GAWU, apart from the taking the jobs of locals, “the foreigners, we understand, are receiving conditions-of-employment that are superior to locals. This is patently discriminatory, and we consider disrespectful to Guyanese.”

Additionally, GAWU said foreign workers are reportedly

In its 2022 Mid-Year Report, the Irfaan Ali-led Government had said that a Consultant will review gaps in the labour market and support the design of training and appropriate policy advice to resolve the ongoing issues. With just a population of about 700,000 people, a report by the International Organisation on Migration (IOM), had highlighted that the foregoing review would be urgently needed since the country could face a labour crisis with the emergence of the oil and gas sector.

The Report states that if Guyana were to harness all of its unemployed, underemployed and discouraged workers, the potential supply of labour would be only 63,500 the medium-term. It goes on to state that Guyana will need approximately 160,000 workers. It concluded that there will be the need for, at minimum, 100,000 workers in Guyana to realise its full growth potential.

With this in mind, the IOM said it is crucial that Guyana understands that it needs to tap into its Diaspora potential and urgently produce a structured migration policy, informed by evidence-based analysis.

Quincy King Christopher Abrams

NBS mortgage payments can now be paid via MMG

Customers of the New Building Society (NBS) will nolongerhavetojoinaqueue or walk with large sums of cash to pay their mortgages, as they can now make their payments using Mobile

Money Guyana (MMG+)

NBSlaunchedthenewMMG payment option at its head office located on Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown yesterday

Present at the simple

ceremony were Senior M i n i s t e r w i t h t h e responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, General Manager of MMG+, Bobita Ram and Chairman of the NBS, Dr Nanda Gopaul

amongotherspecialinvitees.

General Manager of mmg+ Bobita Ram, during thelaunchingoftheserviceat NBS office in Georgetown, said that mmg+ will continue to expand the variety of options for its customers to conduct business with the convenience and security of cashlesstransactions.

“We are building on a culture of safety and convenience, and we are giving our customers as many options as we can to maketheirpaymentstheeasy way Customers can now conduct almost any transaction and this includes sending money, utility payments, hire purchase

payment services back home…in the coming year youcanlookforwardtomore i n n o v a t i o n a n d enhancement”.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh, applaudedNBSfortakingthe bold step of being the first bank to come onboard with mmg+ and encouraged other businesses to also subscribe totheservice.

“When we speak about the transformation of our country, that transformation and modernization to which we aspire is not only about n e w b r i d g e s , n e w h i g h w a y s t h a t

ofthistechnology”.

He also called on several other financial institutions and businesses as well as any individual who has a cell phone,toensurethattheyuse the available technology afforded by MMG to do business or make digital payments, instead of joining countless lines around the countrydaily

Chairman of NBS, Dr Nanda Gopaul, in his remarks said that he is positivethatinthe83yearsof the company's operations, it is taking a step forward with mmg+.

“This is a vision that has arrived but should have been implemented years ago… it

installments, school fees, bridge tolls, fuel payments, mortgage payments and many more. The app itself is also very secure and has a user-friendlyinterface,”Ram said.

Ram added that the service is even used by many Guyanese in the diaspora to payutilitiesbackhome.

“Today people in the diaspora use it in a more informal way but we are extending the service [in 2023] to members of the diaspora for much needed

modernization is also about m o d e r n i z i n g a n d transforming the way we do business and the way we interact with each other and the use of this digital technology is very much a part of the modern way of doingbusiness,itmakesabig difference in people's quality oflife.

I hope it is a step that many other businesses will replicate…I want to call on every single user and owner of a mobile phone to avail yourself of the convenience

is in response to our several thousand mortgagers who throughout the length and breadth of this country want to come out of the line and to come out of the habit of walking with bulks of money in their wallets….we can never ever be more right than toworkwithmmg+todeliver a service to our customers that will make life easy for them”.

The more than 10,000 customers of the New Building Society (NBS) will benefitfromthisnewservice.

Small plane crashes in Colombian neighborhood,8 dead

MEDELLIN, Colombia (AP) A small plane crashed Monday in a neighborhood in the central Colombian city of Medellín, killing eight people on board, airport authorities said No injuries were immediately reported on the ground.

The aircraft crashed after taking off from the Olaya Herrera Airport, Colombian aviation officials said in a statement. The victims were identified as six passengers and two crew members. It was not immediately clear if more than eight people were ontheplane.

The exact cause of the crash has not yet been

Firefighters work at the crash site of a small plane that fell on top of homes in a residential area, Medellin, Columbia Monday, November 21, 2022 (AP

determined.MedellínMayor Daniel Quintero said in a statement that the aircraft experienced 'an engine failure'duringtakeoff.

“Unfortunately, the pilot

was not able to keep the plane aloft and it crashed in this neighborhood, ” Quintero said. Seven homes were destroyed and six other buildingsdamaged,hesaid.

Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh (center) alongside Chairman of NBS, Nanda Gopaul (left) and General Manager of MMG+, Bobita Ram (right) alongside officials of the NBS Bank and MMG.

Photo/Jaime Saldarriaga

The 2023 sitting of the National

Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinationswillbeheldonMay 3 and 4, Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced Tuesday via a Facebookpost.

Manickchandsaidthattheresultsforthe saidexaminationswillbemadeavailableby July11,2023.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the conduct of the assessments in 2020, 2021 and 2022. However, the Education Minister said that her Ministry intends to have the examsreturntoastateofnormalcy.

“Soin2023theassessmentisgoingtobe takenonthe3rdand4thofMay,andresults aregoingtobereadyby11thofJuly Ihope youseethatwedon’twantyouguessing,we wantthistobeasverypredictable,”Minister Manickchandexplained.

According to the Minister, the children who are going to write the assessment next year are students who would have been affected by the pandemic and came out of schoolwhilebeinginGradeThree.

Taking that into consideration, she said, “weareveryconsciousofthatandthework thatwaslostatthetimethatcannotre-catch back or repair and so that was a conscious, verystudieddecisiontakenandwearevery happytotellyouthis.”

The2023assessmentwillbebasedonthe Grade Five curriculum and then a consolidated curriculum but “we ask you to remember that concepts from Grade Three and Four are also tested and it would be concepts from Grades Three and Four consolidatedcurriculum.”

As reported, the consolidated curriculum, which was introduced back in

2021, was designed by the Ministry of Education to enable pupils to get back on trackwithworktheymissedafterbeingaway fromschoolsforawhile.SchoolsinGuyana hadbeenclosedsinceMarch2020duetothe COVID-19 pandemic and had reopened backinSeptember2021.

Earlier this year more than 16,000 students wrote the NGSA examinations at some 509 institutions across the country, which was entirely conducted by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with theCaribbeanExaminationsCouncil(CXC).

The candidates were tested in four subjects namely, Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies. In each subject area, the assessments consisted of two papers, Paper One with multiple choice questions,andPaperTwowithessay-typeor open-endedquestions.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

Saudi Arabia fight back to stun Lionel Messi's Argentina in World Cup opener

PA Media - Salem Al Dawsari's stunner sealed an extraordinary Saudi Arabia comebackwinagainstLionel Messi's Argentina in a breathless clash that ranks among the greatest upsets in WorldCuphistory

La Albiceleste kicked off their quest for glory in Qatar at the Lusail Stadium, where many had predicted their star skipper could be lifting the trophyaloftonDecember18.

But Messi and Co got their World Cup off to a nightmare start as Saudi Arabia recorded the greatest win in their history as Saleh Al Shehri and Al Dawsari's brilliant quickfire double secured a remarkable 2-1 triumph.

The Gulf state had won only three of their previous 16 matches on the world stage and looked set for another defeat when Messi scoreda10thminutepenalty

The 35-year-old became only the fifth player to score at a fourWorld Cups, but this wasnothisorArgentina'sday as their 36-match unbeaten runcametoacrashingend.

Lionel Scaloni's men saw three first-half goals ruled out for offside and a pair of Saudi screamers turned the gameonitsheadwithineight minutes of the second half gettingunderway

Al Shehri scored a fine low strike with the first shot of the game by Herve Renard's side, who went

ahead when Al Dawsari produced the kind of goal Messiwouldbeproudof.

Saudi Arabia – cheered by their raucous support –dug deep from that point, throwing themselves in front ofeverythingandgoalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais provedaninspiredlastlineas theysawoutanunforgettable victory

The 88,012 inside the Lusail Stadium made an incredible din from outset as t h e w e l l s u p p o r t e d Argentinians faced a Saudi side backed by hordes that only had to hop across the border

They did so more in hope more than expectation and their mood was soon

Wednesday November 23, 2022

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

In your attempts to always be the nice, helpful one, Aries, you might find that you're compromising someofyourvalues.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

Actions could be quick and intense today, Taurus. Things may hit you like lightning, so be prepared for justaboutanything.Mentally stabilize yourself before interactingwithothers.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Your playful attitude is apt to be opposed by someone who refuses to see things your way, Gemini. Walk away from those who aren't committed to helping thesituation.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Today may be one of those days in which you're trying to paint a large area, but you only have a small brush.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You may be barking up the wrong tree today, Leo. Before you waste all your energy on your podium proclaiming your thoughts to theworld.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

In an attempt to merge with infinity, you might overlook some basic life principles, Virgo. Be careful about being seduced by those who want you to be involved intheirdrama.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Ÿ

Feel free to stand up for yourself, a cause, or another person today, even if you know it will cause tension among the others aroundyou.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your mind is apt to be fixed on one thing today, Scorpio, and you won't rest until you've obtained it Perhaps it's a physical place you're trying to get to, a new gadgetthatyouwanttoown.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Things may happen right under your nose today, Sagittarius, and you may not evenbeawareofit.Thething that will be obvious is your reactiontothesituationwhen this hidden event suddenly comestolight.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

It could be that close friends or family members are in sharp disagreement regarding a certain issue, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

There is a great deal of emotion and drive to the day, just the way you like it, Aquarius. Make sure you don't get stuck with the short end of the stick as the day comestoaclose.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You're going to be a valuableassettootherstoday becauseofyourrationalmind and ability to think things

dampened by Messi – an ambassador for Saudi tourism.

Messi saw an early snapshot saved by Al Owais and then beat the goalkeeper in the 10th minute after Saud Abdulhamidwasadjudgedto haveheldLeandroParedesin thebox.

TheParisStGermainstar stepped up and dispatched the penalty, coolly sending the ball left asAl Owais went theotherway

Messi beat the Saudi goalkeeper again in the 22nd minute when opening his body and slotting home, only for the goal to be chalked off

foroffside.

Lautaro Martinez was denied two of his own for the same reason. The first was a delightfulclippedeffortfrom Alejandro Gomez's throughball, the next for straying offside before skilfully beatingAlOwais.

Saudi Arabia did not muster so much as a shot in the first half but just three minutes into the second period they stunned Argentina.

Messi was dispossessed and they quickly put Al Shehri through with a hopeful ball that ended with himtakingatouchawayfrom CristianRomeroandhittinga left footed shot across EmilianoMartinez.

T h e l a r g e S a u d i contingent went wild and the volume went up several notchesinthe53rdminute.

Argentina looked to have escaped danger when blockingashotandseeingAl Dawsariheadouttowardsthe edge of the box, only to turn, jink away from danger and find the top-right corner with abeautifulstrike.

It was an incredible moment that brought a deafening, guttural roar – as did every tackle that followed, and the excellent Al Owais reaction save that denied Nicolas Tagliafico directinghome.

The Saudi goalkeeper thenkeptoutAngelDiMaria, raced off his line to clear up andthenthwartedMessiinan inspired display as his teammates gave everything they hadtofrustrateArgentina.

Abdulelah Al Amri produced a goal line clearance unaware offside would be called in stoppage time, which was extended when Al Owais clattered team mate Hatan Bahbri whenclearingtheball.

The man of the match savedaJulianAlvarezheader before the final whistle went, sparkingwildcelebrations.

Saleh Al-Shehri got Saudi Arabia back on level terms at the start of the second half. (Jorge Saenz/AP)

Giroud double equals record as holders France crush Australia

AL WAKRAH, Qatar, (Reuters) - Olivier Giroud netted twice to become France's joint record scorer as they fought back to put Australia to the sword, opening their World Cup defence with a 4-1 Group D win yesterday that silenced talkofaholders'curse.

Australia had taken a stunning lead at Al Janoub Stadium when Craig Goodwin applied a super finish to Mathew Leckie's cross after nine minutes, but FrancelevelledwhenAdrien Rabiot headed home and Giroud's tap-in gave them thehalftimelead.

Kyl i a n M b a p p e ' s glancing header in the 68th minute was followed b y G i r o u d ' s 5 1 s t international goal three minutes later, drawing

him level with Thierry Henry as France's all-time topmarksman.

Didier Deschamps' side, who lead the Group D after rivals Denmark and Tunisia

Letter to the Sports Editor

drew 0-0 earlier on Tuesday, ended a run of poor starts for World Cup holders, after the previous three -- Italy, Spain and Germany -- all failed to wintheiropeners.

There is great potential for the sport of Curling in Guyana

DearSportsEditor, Only a week ago Guyana men's team won gold in the B-Division of the Inaugural Pan Continental Curling Championship held in Canada.

This is a significant feat given that the sport of Curling was only introduced to Guyana in 2017 with the formation of the Guyana CurlingFederation.

Curling is one of the world's oldest sports, and ever since its introduction to Guyana, the team has achieved tremendous success, thanks to their hard work.

For that I wish to extend heartfelt congratulations to the Hussain siblings (Rayad

andFarzana),JasonPerreira, Baul Parsaud, Khemraj Goberdhan and coach Paul Madgett and the Guyana Curling Federation for introducing the sport to G u y a n a a n d b r i n g recognitiontothepeopleand thecountry

As a former national cricketer, national golfer and sports enthusiast, I understand the level of sacrifice, commitment and training it requires to compete in professional sports and for that it gives me great pleasure and honour to see this group of G u y a n e s e s u c c e e d internationally

With that, it is my hope thatthesuccessesoftheteam will raise awareness and

interest in the sport, and also encourage the investment in facilities and resources for the sport of Curling in Guyanaandfurtherafield.

I would also like to applaud well wishers and friends of the Canadian Diasporathatgavemoraland resourceful support in the early days in the lives of thesesportspersons.

A special commendation to Gord Ramkissoon whom was instrumental in the early s u c c e s s a n d r a p i d development of the participants.

Best wishes to the team as they now advance to the A-Divisionandwillcompete against the top countries in theworld.

Alfred Mentore

France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their fourth goal. (REUTERS/I ssei Kato)

France's Kylian Mbappe in action with Australia's Kye Rowles. (REUTERS/Issei Kato)

GFF to conduct first-time female only CONCACAF Level C Coaching Course

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will this week conduct the inaugural female only Concacaf W Level C coaching course for twenty four aspiring female coaches from nine regional associationsacrossGuyana.

This groundbreaking course which represents the GFF's continued investment inWomen football will be delivered through the Federation's Coach Education Department fromNovember24–29at the GFF National Tr a i n i n g C e n t r e , Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Theoretical and practical sessions will be conducted by GFF acting Technical Direction Bryan Joseph and coach Linsworth Gilbert, under the guidance and oversight of Concacaf's Technical Expert and Coach Developer,AntonCorneal.

Guyana is the fifth country in the Concacaf region to conduct the female onlyLevelCcoachingcourse which aims to provide over 300 women across the region with the opportunity to initiate their pathway into coaching.

“The vision of President Forde is to raise the standard of Women football across Guyana by investing heavily

in the education and certification of our female coaches.

This course is just the beginning of the long-term support and investment the GFF technical department plans to make in our dedicated female coaches.

T h e k n o w l e d g e a n d experiencethesecoacheswill

Den Amstel, Uitvlugt to battle in tonight's West Demerara zone finals

Den Amstel and Uitvlugt will clash in tonight's inter-ward finals for the West Demerara zone at the National TrackandFieldCentre.

The two teams will meet following their respective triumph in the Semifinals, setting up a mouth-watering climax.

Uitvlugt and the Pouderoyen played to a 1 – 1 draw at the end of regulation and went down to kicks from the penalty mark to decide the winner

In the end, the highly enthused crowd saw Uitvlugt coming out victorious5-4.

In the other semi finals, Den Amstel were made to toil by Stewartville for their 2 – 0 win, thanks to goals from Ruben Dainty (2') and JefferyPerriera(85').

Action tonight will kick off at 18:00hrs, with Pouderoyen playing Stewartvilleinthethird-placeplayoff.

Following the conclusion of the

The One Guyana President's Cup trophy that will be up for grabs in the Regional Tournament. that

WestDemerarazone,theRegion3 team will be selected, comprising ofthezone'sbestplayers,toviefor the chance to lay claim on the President's Cup trophy in the Regionaltournament.

At the Regional Tournament, each player will receive $80,000 for their participation, with the captain and head coach receiving $100,000inaone-offpayment.

For every match won up to the quarter-finals, teams will pocket $200,000 and teams reaching the semi finals are set to collect $400,000.

The winning team will take home $2M and second place $1M.

The inaugural President's Cup tournament is a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation (Rawle Toney)

gain from this course will have a tremendously positive impact on the quality of players they will go on to developin the coming years, which will contribute vastly to the improvement of our national teams ” Notes Joseph.

Participants will be former and current national players, club and school coaches and community coaches.Thecoursestartsat8 a.m.andendsat5p.m.daily

Sports gear for Police Force from overseas

- As moves made to enhance Youth and Sports Clubs around the country

As the Police around t h e c o u n t r y continue their communityrelationdrivewitha lot of emphasis on Youths and sports, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) received more assistance from a number of agencies and personsfromhomeandabroad.

The most recent donor of some footballs and a quantity of cricket gear is the New York Police Department (NYPD) of theUnitedStatesofAmerica.

The donation, which was made on Tuesday at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, was done by long

standing supporter and member of the NYPD Cricket team, Mr Shariyaar Hussain to Deputy Commissioner 'Operations' (ag.)Mr RavindradatBudhram.

Itisnotthefirsttimethatthe NYPD is assisting the Police force with sports gear thus concretizing a longstanding relationship between the two organizations which started sometimeago.

Budhram, after receiving the donation, stated that the sports gear received will go a long way in enhancing the GPF Youthandsportsdrive.

Hesaidthattheitemswillbe

given to the various Police Youth Groups across the country, to keep the youths meaningfully engaged while keepingthemactive.

The community relations and youth and sports club drive has been one of the main pillars of acting commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken in his quest to foster better relationship between the police and the community

Hicken has been in the forefront in spearheading this initiative (SamuelWhyte)

Some of the footballs and cricket gear received by the GPF from representatives of the NYPD.

French Guiana looking forward to competitive IGG

will feature at the IGG in the disciplines of Football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, badminton, swimming and cycling Apart from football, all the other disciplines will feature m a l e a n d f e m a l e p a r t i c i p a t i o n .

TheNationalRacquetCentre on Woolford Avenue, the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, the National Aquatic Centre, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall andNationalGymnasiumare the venues being used.

Catering to student-athletes

at the U-20 level, the IGG was last held in 2017 in Surinameandfirsttookplace i n 1 9 6 7

Football (basketball started in 1972) was the first sport played between Guyana and Suriname at the Inter-Guiana Games.

By Rawle Toney

The French Guiana delegation arrived yesterday, excited for Friday's start of the Inter Guiana Games that will see them taking on Guyana and Suriname in basketballandathletics(male andfemale).

The 61-member team of officials and athletes is headed by the country's Territorial Councilor, Mirta Tani, who told Kaieteur News upon arrival at the Princess Ramada Hotel that their athletes are looking forward to the IGG “We haven't had the IGG in

five years, and this is an important championship for the young athletes of the Guianas.So,wewelcomethe return and we're happy to be in Guyana,” Tani said She added that despite having the smallest contingent of the three participating countries, French Guiana athletes are more than ready to give their all and make their presence felt in basketball and track andfield.

Players from the French territory are known as fierce rivals in basketball and have been particularly good in

field events since the inception of their IGG p a r t i c i p a t i o n Meanwhile, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle stated that the Surinamese contingent, headed by Suriname's Minister of Regional Development and Sport, Gracia Emanuel, is slated to arrive on Thursday morning.

The opening ceremony, Ninvalle said, will take place onThursday,from7:00pmat the Guyana National Stadium.

Over 500 athletes and officials from three countries

Inter-agency domino competition set for Nov 25-27

The Georgetown Office Assistants Promotion Committee will host a domino tournamentaspartoftheirannualend-of-theyearthree-daysportingevent.

The tournament is catering for all Ministries and Government agencies, where cash incentives, along with trophies will be onoffer OnNovember25–27,teamswillbe in action at the National Cultural Centre

Tarmac, vying for the Prime Minister and MinistryofHousingandWatertrophies.

On November 25, the event gets going from4:30pm,whileonNovember26,action starts at 11:30 am. The final day of the tournamentwillstartat9:30am.

Eventcoordinator,JamesLewis,saidthis year's event will be his last owing to the difficultyinsecuringsponsorship.

Rose Hall Bakewell advance to Lower Corentyne...

From page 32

overs; Glendon De Cunha 92, Marlon Shepard 36. Bowling for Edinburgh George Degesegrabbed4for44. InreplyEdinburgh were bowled out for 111in 25 overs with George Degese scoring 30. Bowling for Guymine John Ganshaw took 4 for 11 off 6 overs.Port Mourant defeated Sandreef C.C. by 170 runs at Port Mourant. Port Mourant scored257alloutin39.2overs.Rampersaud

Ramnauth scored 50, Joshua Ramsammy 36 and Rampertab Ramnauth 33. Bowling for Sand Reef C.C.; R. Balkarran 2 for 27 off 8 overs, Y Dhoray 2 for 38 off 8 overs and M. Jagmohan 2 for 39 off 5 overs. In reply Sandreef C.C was bowled out for 87 in 29.4 overs.SaifBaksh26,JameerAzeezandAmit Singh both score 18. Bowling for Port Mourant; P Tilakram 3 for 6 off 3.4 overs, JoshuaHarrichan2for10off5overs.

French Guiana's officials, headed by the country's Territorial Councilor, Mirta Tani (third from right) upon their arrival at the Princess Ramada Hotel. (Rawle Toney photo)

The French Guiana track and field team. (Rawle Toney photo)

Rose Hall Bakewell advance to

Lower Corentyne quarter-finals as tourney underway

Despite problems with weather a n d t h e unplayable conditions of several grounds, the Berbice Cricket Board started its 2022 BCB/Dave West Indian Imports 40overs second division tournament. The tournament involves the hosting of five different sub division tournaments which would each provide a champion. The five inter zone champions would then go on to play for the overall Berbice championship. The five zones are West Berbice, Lower Corentyne, Upper

C o r e n t y n e , N e w Amsterdam/Canje and Berbice River The tournament is been played with close to eighty teams, the most for any tournament inGuyana.

Outstanding performers from the first two rounds of the tournament included national youth players Jonathan Rampersaud who scored an impressive 93 against Belvedere United and Adrian Hetmyer who grabbed a five-wicket haul onhisseconddivisiondebut.

Scores from some of the matchesare:

R o s e H a l l To w n B a k e w e l l d e f e a t e d

Belvedere United by 83 runs at Area H Ground. Batting first RHT Bakewell scored 208 for 7 off 35 overs with National Under19 all r o u n d e r J o n a t h a n Rampersaud scoring 93, Romesh Bharat 43 and Ryan Kissoonlall 18. Bowling for Belvedere United; E Williams- 5 for 24 off 7 overs including a hat-trick, he was supported by K. Kamaladin who grabbed 1 for 31 off 6 overs. In reply Belvedere United were bowled out for 125 in 26.3

overs with Eon Veladium scoring44,ReonMalcom24 and R. Dillion 18. Bowling forRHTBakewell;Matthew Pottaya took 3 for 30 off 4.3 overs, Collis Butts 2 for 15 off 7 overs, Jeremey Sandia 2 for 24 off 5 overs and Tyreece Sealey 2 for 27 off 6 overs.

University of Guyana Elites triumphed over Kildonan by 167 runs at Chesney Ground. UG Elites batting first scored 242 all out in 35 overs; G Ramnarine blasting 81, Eon Nunes 15 was the principal scorer Bowling for Kildonan; R. Seelall took 2 for 45 off 8 overs and C. McKenzie 2 for 32 off 7 overs.InreplyKildonanwas bowled out 75 in 10.4 overs with C. McPherson 19, the only batsman to reach double figures. Bowling for U G E l i t e s , V i v i k Harripersaud grabbed 5 for 30 off 5 overs and Collis Greene4for34off5.4overs, the fast bowling pair dismantled the Kildonan battinglineup.

Rose Hall Canje 'A' trounced Rose Hall Canje President X1 by 10 wickets at Rose Hall Canje Community Centre RH Canje President X1 taking first strike only managed 70 before they were bowled out in 15 3 overs Feedee Danielswith15wastheonly batsman to reach double figures. Bowling for Rose Hall Canje 'A'; Guyana Under15 all-rounder Adrian Hetmyergrabbed5for15off 3 overs and Enrique Mickle 2 for 9 off 2 overs. In replyRose Hall Canje 'A' raced to 70 without loss off 6 overs. AvishkarPersaudscored43.

Cotton Tree defeated Bath Sports club by 6 wickets at Cotton Tree Ground. Batting first after winning the toss Bath was bowled out for 117 in 23 overs. A. Anandram scored 29, H. Singh 20 and S. Sugrim 18 Bowling for Cotton Tree; Fawaz Gaffoor grabbed 4 for 22 from 7 overs,WaqarHassan4for32 from7overs.InreplyCotton Tree reached 120 for 6 in 16 overs with Nick Ramsaroop 53,DanielHarrynarine35.

Ramnarine Memorial beat Kildonan by 3 wickets at Kildonan. Host Kildonan taking first strike were bowled out for 145 in 21 overs. C. McKenzie scored 28 and S Seelall 15 Bowling for Ramnarine

National U-15 all-rounder Adrian Hetmyer grabbed a 5-wicket haul on debut.

for54from8overs.

R o s e H a l l To w n BakewelldefeatedTamarind Root C.C by 20 runs atArea H.RoseHallTownBakewell 104 all out in 35.3 overs; Nyron Hicks 23, Romesh Bharat16andRyanAlgu14. Bowling for Tamarind Root; Kelly Dagraj grabbed 3 for 16 off 7 overs, Sewnauth Joseph 2 for 19 off 4 overs. Tamarind Root in reply 84 all out in 26.2 overs with D. Rangasammy scoring 19, Avinash Looknauth 16 were the principal scorers

BowlingforRoseHallTown Bakewell; Tyreece Sealey 3 for 10 off 5.2 overs with 2 maidens, Matthew Pottaya3 for 10 off 4 overs with 2 maidens and Jonathan Rampersaud 2 for 12 off 8 overswith4maidens.

National U-19 all-rounder Jonathan Rampersaud scored 93.

Memorial; R Latcha grabbed 5 for 23 off 5 overs and T Leitch 2 for 16 off 2 overs. In reply Ramnarine Memorialscored147for7in 26 overs with J. Holder 35, Collis Gray 23 and R. Gray 17 not out. Bowling for Kildonan;S.Seelallgrabbed 3for30off4overs.

Cotton Tree brushed Achievers by 61 runs at Cotton Tree Ground. Cotton Treewonthetossandelected to bat first scored 257 for 9 from 40 overs Roshan Gaffoor 71, Pooran Persaud 68 not out and Fawaz Gaffoor 40. Bowling for Achievers; Omari Arthur took 2 for 35 from 6 overs, Arthley Bailey 2 for 39 from 8 overs Achievers were bowled out for 196 in 32.4 overs withArthur Bailey 80, Gladwyn Johnson 30 and Raffel Estraido 25. Bowling for Cotton Tree; Waqar Hassan 4 for 24 from 7.4 overs and Nashad Gaffoor 2

Blairmont Blazers beat D'Edwardby5wicketsatD' EdwardsGround.D'Edward were bundled out for 93 in 27.2 overs; K. Bissondial 37 and Keith Milne 21. Bowling for Blairmont Blazers; Parmanand Ramdhan grabbed 4 for 26, Nigel Deodat 3 for 20 and Zameer Nazeer 2 for 19. Blairmont Blazers in reply made 94 for 5 off 14 overs with Nigel Deodat 24, Parmanand Ramdhan 22 not out and Zameer Nazeer 20. Bowling for D' Edward; R. Moore and N. Rampersaud took2wicketseach.

Port Mourant bettered Tain/Block4by7wicketsat Port Mourant Community Centre. Tain/ Block 4 scored 60 all out off 15 overs. M. Mangal30.BowlingforPort M o u r a n t ; J o s h u a Ramsammytook4for27off 7 overs, T Narchany 2 for 2 off 3 overs. In reply Port Mourantreached61for3off 10overswithP Tiluram25.

W h i m o u t f o u g h t University of Guyana Elites by 4 wickets. UG Elites scored 128 all out in 35 overs; Dave Ramgolam 28, F a r d e e n K h a n 2 5 Chandrashakar Mangal 17. Bowling for Whim, K Deonarinetook6for36off8 overs and T Harrinarine 2 for 28 off 8 overs. Whim reached 129 for 6 in 28 overs; Jai Tika scored 36, T Harinarine 24, K. Deonarine 14. Bowling for UG Elites; Fardeen Khan 4 for 17 off 7 overs.

Guymine trashed Edinbrugh by 189 runs at Guymine.Guyminescoreda mammoth300alloutin33.2

BCB /Dave West Indian Imports 40 overs tournament...

IGG prep forces MVP Sports Futsal Tournament's rescheduling

The

Sports FutsalTournament has had its semifinal date pushed backed fromWednesday, November 23, to Saturday, December3.

It was recently revealed that the impending International engagement required that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) along with National SportsCommission(NSC)shutdownseveral venues for last minute maintenance ahead of the 2022 Inter Guiana Games, which begins onThursday

In a statement from Petra, it read, “The semi-finals scheduled for tomorrow have rd nowbeenrescheduledfor3 December2022. This is due to the unavailability of the venue duetoadherencetoprotocolsbeinginstituted fortheupcomingInterGuianaGames.”

Meanwhile, when the penultimate playingdateforthe2022editionoftheFutsal tournament is contested, it will see the final four in both the Men's and Women's Divisions collide to decide who enters the finale.

The female division will kick off

proceedings at what is expected to be a mintedvenueasFrutaConquerorsgoheadto head with GT Panthers in the first semifinal, while Police tackle Tiger Bay to decide the otherfinalist.

Afterthat,themenspringintoactionwith the first semifinal that features giant killing teams,StabroekBallersandFutureStars.The winner of that match faces the victor of the GoldisMoneyversusBentStreet-encounter

At stake for the men - the Championship prize of $500,000, while the runner up will have to settle for $300,000, third place carts off with $200,000 and the fourth place finisherwalksawaywith$100,000.

Additionally,thewinnerofeachofthesix groups in the male division will received $50,000 while second place took home $30,000, third pocketed $20,000 and fourth received$10,000.

In the Women's division, the Tournament winner pockets $200,000, second place bags $100,000 while third and fourth incentives amountto$50,000and$25,000,respectively The MostValuable Player (MVP) award will alsobeupforgrabsinbothdivisions.

Archery Guyana Team arrives at the XXVI Pan American Archery Championships

TwoofArcheryGuyana's members, namely Wayne DeAbreu and Devin Persaud Permaul, are going to be participating in the XXVI Pan American and V ParaPan American Archery Championships in Santiago, ChilefromNovember21-27, 2022.

This tournament is a World Ranking Event and will be the main Qualifier Tournament for the SANTIAGO 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games The tournament is being held at the Bernardo O'Higgins National Military Academy in Las Condes County in the capitalcity,Santiago.

Wayne DeAbreu, when contacted for his thoughts prior to this event opined: “I amhappytobecompetingon an international level again as the world has been a mess the last few years, I can't convey the pride that is felt attending these competitions seeing the Guyana flag on display and knowing it is because you are there representingyourcountry.”

Mr DeAbreu went on to share that: “I have been practicing as often as a job and family allows, really trying to nail down that 'feel' thataccompaniesthatperfect shot. I am very excited to do my best, and learn and grow from the experience, I am most grateful to Archery

The Board of Directors wishes its two members all the best in Chile and encourages Guyana to stand beforethemastheyrepresent G U Y A N A o n t h e internationalstage.

Guyana and the Government of Guyana for making this trippossible.”

ongoing Petra organized MVP

Wayne DeAbreu ( pictured) and Devin Persaud Permaul have arrived in Chile for the Pan American event.

The Tournament is currently being hosted at the National Gymnasium.

French Guiana looking forward to competitive IGG forw

Saudi Arabia fight back to stun Lionel Messi's Argentina in World Cup opener

Saudi Arabia players celebrate after their amazing win. (Luca Bruno/AP)

The French Guiana basketball team. (Rawle Toney photo)