Kaieteur News

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Government Thursday Edition NEWS admits fish catch declining AIETEUR

November 25, 2021 - Vol. 14 No.44

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 79,015

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

- promises to conduct study to get true picture of situation

Climate Change impacts could cost oil rich Guyana - Govt. Report says over 300,000 US$800M citizens could be harmed The protest continues for change to ExxonMobil’s contract.

Exxon among top 3 defaulters on Paris Climate Accord - Int’l Report Unions ramp up Man gets life protest against sentence for 7% pay hike killing WCB - write President, AG seeking urgent meeting; flouting of Labour Laws

couple

Fish vendor robbed close to $1M moments after being warned

Former EPA head flags ExxonMobil’s ramped up production - warns of safety breaches, violation of EIA guidelines Local and Regional experts decry EM’s shambolic EIA during online consultation and expose their inability to answer hundreds of questions and concerns posed to them on this forced project, Yellowtail, and all the leaders quiet. @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 25, 2021

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Local insurers talk up capacity to provide services for Oil and Gas industry - plan submitted to policymakers L

ocal insurers have taken umbrage to recent 'anecdotal' observations made by a political scientist and Co-Founder of Americas Market Intelligence (AMI), Arthur Deakin, who recently lamented, as unrealistic, some of the requirements being demanded in Guyana's proposed Local Content Policy for the oil and gas industry, specifically with regard insurance services.

Responding to Deakin's assertions, the Insurance Association of Guyana (IAG) and the Guyana Insurance Brokers' Association (GIBA)—two representative bodies of the local insurance underwriting and intermediary industries—pointed out with “extreme consternation,” that his critique of the local capacity of the domestic industry, was made despite no consultations with the industry representatives.

As such, IAG and GIBA, in a joint public missive observed that, “this gentleman, whose academic background is Political Science, has taken upon himself to pronounce upon the complex issues of capacity of the local insurance industry in opining that the latest Draft LCP was unrealistic, inter alia, with respect to Insurance.”

To this end, the representatives, said nowhere within Deakin's

critique was it revealed what research was conducted as to the 'capacity' of the local insurance industry.

As such, the IAG and GIBA, which represent virtually 100 percent of the local industry, remain adamant that they were never consulted by Deakin and questioned.

“Does he care to expand on what he understands to be Insurance Capacity within the complex context of the risk transfer mechanisms of Insurance, Reinsurance, and Retrocession?”

Further rubbishing Deakin's arguments against Guyana's domestic capacity, the two insurance representatives queried what did Deakin compute as the capacity of the local industry versus the required capacity that guided his conclusions” and that he should perhaps, “expand by directing us to where we may access his research.”

According to the requirements outlined as targets for local content in the industry with regard, Local Content, the draft policy stipulates, between 80 and 95 percent of categories of insurance services be provided by locals.

These include local deposits, credit advances, and insurance.

According to the draft document prepared by the Ministry of Natural Resources, “over time, it

AMI Co-founder, Arthur Deakin is expected that local insurers would build more net capacity to insure larger industry risks.”

In so doing, the Ministry said, local insurers would be able to use reinsurance to guarantee itself 100 percent capacity for massive Oil and Gas risks from day one, and thereby be able to grow at a much faster rate to secure the industry.

Local companies, according to the Ministry, will grow because the reinsurers will pay commissions to the insurers, who in turn will apply

these commissions to build capital reserves and hence, capacity for taking on more risks themselves.

American based, political scientist, Deakin in his critique of Guyana's Draft Local Content Policy (LCP) had intimated in one of his more recent columns, that the government, for example, expects that within 10 years, Guyanese firms should be used to cover 95 percent of the energy sector's insurance risks.

Deakin was keen to note that this alone is just not practical.

In responding to the lamentations by Deakin however, the IAG and GIBA said they have already articulated to policymakers and insurance regulators their position as to what extent Guyana's Oil and Gas risks could be handled by the indigenous industry.

To this end, “we have presented to them our model for the best approach to LCP participation for the indigenous insurance industry.”

The insurance representative bodies as such concluded that, “in a nutshell, once our model is established, the local industry is easily capable of arranging any level of insurance our Oil and Gas contractors may wish.

We m a y s t a r t o u t a s intermediaries and small participants in actual risk retention, but nothing stops us from handling

the gamut of insurance needs.”

To this end, the IAG and GIBA said, its members have already developed the necessary technical resources and established linkages with the world's leading players in Oil and Gas Insurance, “all of whom are ready and willing to work with us.”

As such, “the IAG and GIBA therefore, roundly rejects what is evidently uninformed and unscholarly opinion making, especially in relation to matters of crucial importance to local industries.”

Deakin, who is a co-director of the Americas Market Intelligence group, had said that the incumbent administration “is aware of the issues such a high target for insurance would cause, since it indicated in the draft bill that it encourages joint ventures between local companies and “International Tier 1 Contractors” for this purpose.

Deakin in his column had acknowledged that joint ventures (JVs) are a fundamental part of any liberalized, growing economy and can be highly effective at curtailing local shortages.

He was keen to note however, that if too much control is given to either the local or foreign players, this can negatively impact collaboration.

Exxon among top 3 defaulters on Paris Climate Accord - Int’l Report TPI's Chairperson Adam Matthews

A n an aly s is o f th e emissions and climate plans of 58 oil and gas giants has found that most are failing to decarbonise in line with climate science, with Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil and Chevron among the worst offenders.This according to a report released yesterday by the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) which is the first to confirm that multiple oil and gas firms are in fact now operating in line with the Paris Agreement's 1.5C pathway, among them Eni, To t a l E n e rg i e s a n d Occidental.

“There remains (however) a significant distance between net-zero rhetoric and net-zero reality in the case of most fossil fuel majors,” said the TPI's Chairperson Adam Matthews.

Additionally, Imperial Oil and Tatneft were deemed to be aligned with the Paris Agreements' 2C pathway.

This means that, ultimately, 48 of the 53 companies are set to generate emissions higher than their carbon budget in a Parisaligned world. This cohort includes some notable firms such as BP and Royal Dutch Shell which claim their netzero frameworks are robust.

A particular weakness was found to be the disclosure of indirect emissions and credible targets for reducing them.

For oil and gas majors, customers using sold products will typically account for vastly more emissions than their direct operations.

The TPI assessed companies' current levels of

emissions as well as the strength of their emissions reduction plans through to 2030 and 2050 – and the likelihood of them achieving them under current company governance and investment approaches.

The 1.5C net-zero pathway used by the analysts is that detailed by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

More than 110 investors with more than $39T in assets under management collectively have pledged to support the TPI, so the findings could push those investing in the energy sector to increase engagement with many of the named firms.

The TPI also looked at the decarbonisation progress and pledges of 76 electric utilities and six diversified mining firms with coal mining

operations. Across this whole cohort of 140 businesses, most (66%) were not aligned with either of the Paris Agreement's pathways.

The only companies aligned with 1.5C, other than the three oil and gas majors mentioned above, are E.ON, RWE, Orsted, Public Service Enterprise Group, EDP, Eversource Energy, Con Edison, CMS Energy, AES, Meridian Energy and Enbw Energie. The TPI said that, while electric utilities deserve credit for setting credible net-zero targets, progress remains too slow overall.“While the pace of transition efforts in energy supply sectors has increased, it has not yet reached the level which is necessary to prevent the worst consequences of climate change,” said co-author

Nikolaus Hastreiter.

“One-third of the assessed electricity utilities have published encouraging net-zero targets, even though particular attention must be paid to their timelines. To keep global warming to 1.5C, the sector should reach netzero already by 2040 on a global level. The sector plays a crucial role as a first mover in the zero-carbon transition, g i v e n t h a t t h e decarbonisation plans of

other sectors anticipate the use of carbon-neutral electricity in the future."

Earlier this week, a separate analysis of 50 large electric firms found that almost all (98%) companies were operating in a manner inconsistent with the Paris Agreement's 1.5C temperature pathway. That analysis was conducted by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), CDP and ADEME.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 25, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

Yellowtail could be a scorpion’s tail The public consultation circus orchestrated by PPP leaders under the cover of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with skillful assistance from ringmasters at Exxon, turned out to be a mauling in the instance of the well-named Yellowtail Project. In the case of the President, Vice President, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment (believe it or not), the EPA, without a doubt, all Guyanese of impeccable honour and integrity, some little lions escaped from their cages; they were not Guyanese, but outsiders, as in other minority neighbours, which is how they (we) are made to feel in our own motherlands.

The careful controls put in place by the wise men of Exxon, not as ethical and immaculate as their Guyanese partners, collapsed in a heap. Both local and foreign official contingents came with their slides and charts and soothing speeches, intending to give reassurances that theirs are little to no risks, that they have matters under control, and that the likelihood of a dangerous and tragic oil spill was remote to nonexistent. They were all prepared for the hum and run of the mill, Guyanese, not as wired and wound up, as they ought to be. In other words, the suckers that they have assessed Guyanese to be. They were put in their places in short order, with the wrongness of their positions spelled out for them. They got more than the usual: they got Guyanese by the handful, and regionals by the mouthful and fistful and in the full bore of heavy double barrels. PPP Government puppets and Exxon’s muppets were forced to take evasive action, were left running for cover, any scanty cover to hide their nakedness, the pretenses perfected by our own local EPA, functioning under the guidance of Exxon’s shepherding hands. Exxon failed and the EPA failed; in fact, Guyana’s EPA appeared even stupider than normal, so much so that it was trying to run interference for Exxon.

They all looked sick and pathetic in the process. This much we will say this from this early stage: Yellowtail is already turning out to be one hell of a scorpion’s tail. A Trinidadian representing a fishing group let the pretenders have it, notwithstanding their fancy accents and fancy suits and all. Don’t talk nonsense, buddy. The alarmed and enraged have progressed beyond the niceties of ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and ‘sir.’ Stop deceiving in concerted attempts aimed at misleading. Then, there was an environmentalist from Jamaica who lit a fire under their sorry derrieres. Don’t talk crap. Get to the point, mister: is it radioactive or not? Mouth open and story jump out, and it took concerned regionals to come and carry the baton for us, to do our heavy lifting for us Guyanese.

We, who are all about and only about PPP/C and PNC (and not a damn thing else), or its Siamese twin, which is Indian and African. We could only imagine if these regional people come here in person; they would run amok all over this town and paint it red. Though it is their cherished colour, we don’t think that PPP leaders and friends would like that too much.

Brethren from the region think of their history, present, and future. In a word, their coastline; in another, their lifeline of tourism. And here it is, the beneficiaries from Bee Gee couldn’t even care to stand up for their rights, for themselves, not even their children. Regionals are neither sheep-like nor clueless nor breathless. What is prosperous for us could be disastrous for them. Shoreline, wider environment, national way of life. Think tourism. What regionals are asking for themselves (for Guyanese, really) are protections, comprehensive insurance, reasonable safety contingencies. They will not have any of this EPA impotency, gutlessness, failures that endanger. Guyanese may make mental accommodation (“money gon come”) and emotional exception (is our people, the PPP), and spiritual resignation (we can’t do anything). Regionals have absolutely no patience with Presidential and VicePresidential doubletalk, double dealing, and doubling down, possibly at their expense. Guyanese can have that not them. EPA and Exxon (and PPP leaders) better beware.

Yellowtail looks like a scorpion tail. The toxic sting can reach far and high.

Cost of Amaila Falls Hydropower Project - understand and stop fighting one another DEAR EDITOR, The government recently paid for full-colour, doublepage spreads in the daily newspapers touting the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) for powering Guyana’s future.

The topmost justification is the Norconsult 2016 report on AFHP, which states, “The only realistic path for Guyana toward an emission free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential. The fastest way forward is to maintain AFHP as the first major step for substituting its current oilfired generation.”

While this was debatable in 2016, it is no longer the case.

Solar power has overtaken it.

I compared the costs and conveniences of solar power, the gas-to-energy project, AFHP and GPL in a recent https:// article, www.stabroeknews.com/ 2021/11/01/features/in-thediaspora/the-solaralternative-for-guyana/. In fact, AFHP with a price tag of US$900M (we are hearing about US$1B now) for 165 MW worked out at 38 US cents per kWh unit of electricity, which is more than the 17 US cents for gas-toenergy, the 25 cents for GPL residential rates, and far more

than the two cents for solar.

Operation and maintenance costs were not considered.

Since then, it has been revealed to the public, without any documentary study detail, that China Railway Group Limited will build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) the AFHP at no cost to Guyana except for 7.737 US cents per kWh that GPL will pay for 20 years.

This means that if we get the full 165 MW power from AFHP over the 20 years, we should receive 29 TWh (Terawatthours) of electrical energy, for which GPL will have to pay US$2.24B. In order to access this energy, GPL will obviously have to set up a transmission and distribution (T&D) system.

Based on the generation to T&D ratio of costs for a US$2.2M contract for the design, supply and installation of a 150 kW hydropower plant on the Chiung River, at Kato Village, in Region Eight signed by the APNU/AFC government in September 2019, the T&D would cost GPL an additional US$3.8B (not the few hundred million US dollars, which they seem to be considering) amounting to US$6B for 165 MW of power.

This works out to 21 US

cents per kWh, more expensive than the 15 cents, which the Government is telling us that we will have to pay, but far less than the 38 cents, which I worked out before this new revelation was booted up. 38 – 21 = 17 US cents per kWh is a huge difference, but it is not my job to account for it by guessing how the Government is playing with our future. The onus is on the Government to provide the information requested by citizens, who without knowing the financing conditions (and other concessions?) have to make assumptions about interest rate and payback period. Let the Government publicly reveal the conditions of financing.

We have good cause to ask our respective governments. The BurnhamHoyte governments, foisted upon us by rigged elections, also foisted a backlog of 10 years of audit on us. The Omai Gold Mines Ltd. was able to declare no profits, while governments had no audit on how much gold was being produced, just like the oil companies are getting away today with unaudited project costs and their-at-first-secret production sharing agreement, which our

governments and oil companies say is not supposed to be renegotiated.

We were told that the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) was a turnkey affair, yet the economies of scale could eventually not be achieved by the improved technology.

It was a good idea, but the young Mr. Jagdeo did not comprehend what was required, and it did not help that successive Ministers of Agriculture kept me, a very qualified sugar technologist, out of it. Now the country has to pay back the US$200M to China for the SSMP. This might explain the many concessions to Chinese companies, and why, e.g., the current Minister of Agriculture unilaterally increased the number of Seabob fishing trawlers contrary to the (International) Maritime Stewardship Council certification limiting the number of trawlers.

The most obvious reason for the lack of audits is that there is grand corruption to hide.

How else to explain the US$92M discrepancy between what ExxonMobil declared to its shareholders Continied on page 6)

INSURANCE DEVELOPMENT IN GUYANA – STARTLING INDEED DEAR EDITOR, The advertisements, and snippets of information during last week stirred due to one of the relationships noted.

It was of a new insurance presence in Guyana, now given fuller news coverage under an article titled, “Guyanese who was awarded Kaieteur Block jumps into insurance industry with TT partner” (KN November 21). Indeed, as I took the time to read through the story, it is more like plunging headlong into the local insurance business.

I don’t know how much I am ready to welcome this group presently, but I congratulate it for its range of interests, and the reach of its visions.

It certainly comes with some pedigree names (Marsh, AoN, et al) of longstanding repute. But I will be less than myself if I didn’t confess to

early alarm over the direction in which this may be heading, and to where I believe this new group could be positioning itself, for it to be sold to us later as the real McCoy. I looked at some of the areas in which it boasts of readiness to serve, namely, “risk management” which is an all-purpose cover for anywhere and anything; I encourage Guyanese to start thinking of oil platforms and the rest to get my drift.

As if to confirm this thrust (preparation and lining up), it also touts itself as being able to “design programmes that cater for protection in the oil and gas sector.” I think that that is utterly lovely, and I am grateful for the full and early disclosure, unlike so many other murky matters here.

Now, with due respect to the group, I move to register

publicly a dollop of misgiving. I apologise for being that little fellow hollering that something looks a shade on the soggy side. As I see this warming insurance development, I ask myself if this is not an early foray by one of Guyana’s most erudite, and also extremely clever, political leaders to setup a mechanism to provide the much clamoured for insurance coverage in the event of a catastrophic oil spill.

That is how I see it, and laud it for being an utterly charming exercise in strategic thinking embodying a certain kind of self-serving vision.

Look we are all in this to make as much money as possible from the oil curse (sorry, oil blessing), and a protective insurance umbrella is as good a vehicle as any.

And this is regardless of whose interests are served.

I remind again, as I extend a hospitable hand to this new insurance group, especially with a Guyanese being very much in the mix, my only hang-up is that someone who was awarded a fabulous oil block in a secret arrangement, (sometimes termed underhanded in the real world) could now spring up in this insurance reincarnation. Talk about some big bites of the Guyana apple.

We can’t complain now: we asked for oil spill insurance, and it looks like we just got it.

The issues are, can it deliver? Can it muster the many billions in underwriting muscle demanded? Does it have the necessary credibility for something of this magnitude, which is where I think the end game leads?

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Police, public, and media could use more education about sexual offences DEAR EDITOR, Newsroom has reported online, “Region One records significant increase in reports of statutory rape” (at https:// newsroom.gy/2021/11/18/region-one-records-significantincrease-in-reports-of-statutory-rape/).

The report notes the work of the communities with NGO Blossom Inc. and the police to raise awareness of child sexual abuse in Region One. The report outlines an increase of 342 percent in reporting of sexual offences against children as a result of

awareness raising and action in and by community members, Blossom Inc. and the Guyana Police Force.

The protection and prevention of every child from the trauma of sexual abuse is essential, and the duty and responsibility of every citizen

of Guyana. We note the many children in Port Kaituma, Region One who have benefitted from collaborative action for their safety from sexual violence.

There is a need for clarification. There is no sexual (Continied on page 6)

Thursday November 25, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Where are Indian activists today, why are they not speaking up on vital issues?

DEAR EDITOR, Indian rights intellectuals have disappointed their community and the country in being silent over what passes as governance under the PPP administration, especially failure of government to follow established rules and practices. The activists were very critical of the Coalition during its five-year tenure.

They demanded release of the oil contract and called for renegotiation. But they have lost their voices under this government.

Oil renegotiation is no longer a part of their vocabulary as they give their government a tacit pass. They make no comment about the Wales Development plan and the enormous amounts of borrowings. They say nothing about the PPP plan for a Chinese loan of US$1.5 billion.The PPP government has been a two-man operation

running what is really a runaway train. There is so much corruption and violations of rules. All decisions are being made by the two figures, and most of the decisions are not in the interest of supporters, much less the nation. Only a small group of cronies who is close to the two leaders are primary beneficiaries of contracts.

Their supporters and the population at large get the crumbs that fall off the table.

Aside from GHK Lall, Chris Ram, and Glenn Lall, and the three are by no means Indian rights activists, no other Indian critiques or takes the government to task.

In contrast with Indian rights activists, African rights activist David Hinds, during the coalition tenure, spoke out against the neglect of PNC supporters and closure of the sugar estates. Under the PPP, no Indian rights activist have commented

against or been critical of the government on Indian neglect and marginalisation and termination of African workers. No one speaks out against religious discrimination in the award of contracts. While the two big guns who run the government don’t seem to care for the opinions of intellectuals or scholars, and one of them feels he knows everything, at least the view of Indian activists would be on record as opposing authoritarian behaviour of their leaders. At a minimum, they can speak out against persistent corruption as David Hinds did against the Coalition. The views and critiques of Swami Aksharananda, Ravi Dev, Rhyaan Shah, Vishnu Bisram, and other objective commentators matter. They are the modern day Cheddi, Janet, Balram and Singh Rai. They are our modern-day

THE 7% PAY INCREASE FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS DEAR EDITOR, The recently announced seven percent pay rise for public servants, has undoubtedly created quite a discussion in opposition circles. The discussion ranges from the seven percent is not enough that pay rise should be 50 percent and rising. Well, I do not know which of the two sounds reasonable; however, I am very certain that there is not a territory on planet earth - especially during this pandemic that has given a pay rise like ours. The point is our government has been more than generous in its offer to the public servants and for that, I say thank you government.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let us take a step back and look into what obtained under the previous APNU+AFC Government. In

the first instance, they raised their salaries and emoluments by 50 percent before ever considering their duties to the people who put them there. I would sarcastically add quite a “caring government” that is, take care of yourself and then see “if” you can accommodate the people and this is exactly what the Coalition Government did.

When the Coalition realised that the Treasury was depleted, they quickly raised every taxable income area possible. I am talking about over 200 new taxes. Most of our taxation, which in essence is a reduction in livable income was crafted and executed by the APNU regime. Then came the huge chopping of benefits, the ‘Because We Care’ for the school kids and the removal of the Christmas bonuses for the discipline ser-

vices. The list is long; the list is endless.

We come to the public service, by this time, we were well into the fourth year of the Coalition’s mismanagement and the public servants were not given an increase. There was some sabre rattling about industrial action but nothing substantial, as you would reckon it is a public service that is heavily APNU supporters who were totally embarrassed by their own. It took the astute intervention of Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo to twist the arm of the Coalition to give them something.

They responded by giving the public servants 10 percent. To a casual onlooker, that 10 percent seems real, but when you look carefully that sum in actuality was an unreal figure, because it was (Contienued on page 6)

heroes. Indians look up to them. It is an understatement to say there is a failure of expectations of PPP leadership on decisionmaking. Supporters, activists, and members of the Central Committee had expected that the leader would have changed from pre-2011 arrogance. He came across between 2016 and August 2020 as someone who learned from mistakes consulting others and listening to the public views. Now, he has become more arrogant bypassing party Ex Co members, activists, and intellectuals who played a critical role in the return of PPP to office. Stalwarts say the party hardly meets to discuss issues. And as Sharmila Ally penned (KN Nov 23), key figures like Anil Nandlall, Vindhya Persaud,

Frank Anthony, among others, have been marginalised. Many activists who combated rigging of 2020, ballot box guardians, and those who spent personal money to secure the victory have not been rewarded. Newcomers and those who give huge drawbacks are beneficiaries.

The party has failed to reward supporters and activists, to take measures to prevent corruption, and to reward honest selfless workers. Most appointees have been self-serving – they are there for what they could get from the system. Those who jumped from AFC or APNU to PPP have been handsomely rewarded. Those who have been consistent supporters and played key role in the party’s victory are shunned aside for new

opportunistic friends. A small group of cronies surrounds the two ‘big-man’ tag team enjoying the benefits of the state. The cronies have unlimited access to the tag team, while those who worked have no access and no one to champion their interests.

The country needs to be ruled by better people, those who really care about it, the poor, the working class, and those who aren’t in politics for financial gain or for the prestige.

Would Indians of integrity respond to this appeal? Would the Indian rights activists speak up against the oil contract and other contract issues, the Chinese loan, and other issues? The country waits with bated breath.

Yours truly, Balram Gangadeen

Time to re-engineer totally West Indies Cricket DEAR EDITOR, West Indies Cricket Board of Control (now Cricket West Indies -CWI) in the interest of all must re-evaluate the way in which the game has been managed over the past few years. CWI should put all International test, One Day and T20 matches on hold and focus on the regional environment before executing anything else. What that means is going back to basics. Prime focus should be on all the Islands that will eventually produce great batters by doing the right thing. It has become a waste of money or a financial nightmare to fund the overseas games. More to say, a degrading and depressing moment for our youth and diehard lovers of the game. What are the selectors thinking? A vacuum or a make belief cricket guru? Long gone are

the days when all the cricketers came from the greater Caribbean islands. Let us remember the advent of the great Leeward Island players, as an example Sir Vivian Richards who revolutionised the game totally. The decline is real and will one day there will be no more West Indies cricket. This is an attestation to the trend, which we all see with our very eyes. It is high time for the shameless coaches and selectors to wake up and smell the coffee.

Stop all the politicking, the negative commentary but focus on those who deserved to be selected for the West

Indies squad. Moving from captain to captain is a sign of failure, segregating players for the different format of the game is another failure. The selected team should be able to play all formats of the game.

Really and truly, a revival is the way to go and bring back West Indies cricket to where it was before.

Glenville Remy Toronto, Canada

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Pleas from Corriverton to Minister of Housing and CH&PA DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me space in your newspaper to express publicly my plea to the Ministry of Housing and Water and, more particularly, officials from the Central Housing and Planning Authority to visit the township of Corriverton to address many of our housing and water needs.

Editor, it’s no doubt that many of the towns and, more

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

particularly, Georgetown were graced with many of these “Dream Realised” outreaches, why not us?

Are we not entitled to easy access to services of the Government? Are the young professionals of Corriverton not entitled to young professional homes in Corriverton?

I recall there was the announcement of the development of young professional homes for Lindeners, why was this not yet done for the young people of Corriverton?

Why isn’t there to date, an urban-rural policy like in New Zealand that enshrined policies to help rural people get out of the impoverishment that usually plagues rural life and allow them to unlock the

potential of urban life?

What many in urban life take for granted is often considered a fortune for us.

Editor, almost all the towns in Guyana have a housing office, except I believe Rose Hall and Corriverton.

Please let me be frank in that I am in no way pointing a finger at the Ministers, I know they have transformed the lives of many.

However, I think it’s time that the people of Corriverton get their lives transformed.

I look forward to attending this forum to help address my housing needs soon.

Regards, B h a n m a t t i e Shewprashad, B.Sc., M.Sc.

Cost of Amaila Falls Hydropower...

From page 4 and what was presented to us as pre-contract costs? This is why this and other audits of even more massive sums are imperative.

This is why the calculations behind the revelation of the US$0.07737 price of AFHP electrical energy per kWh must be shown. It has four significant figures, so that degree of accuracy must be seen!

The next question is performance. If a contractor defaults, the government should implement the contractual remedies.

But what if the contract is comparable in cost to the country’s budget or even greater, as some of these big contracts are? Are the terms of such contracts available to be inspected by the public before being signed away?

Can we insist on performance

of the Chinese and American companies performing large contracts, like how the President recently told off local contractors at the ACCC? What remedy is there for default? Or do we fancy we can get remedies and damages by courts in the USA and China?

Vehicles often park (illegally in municipal markets) near to roadside stalls for shopping at the drivers’ convenience.

I once observed two porters fighting one another to pass between the narrow gap between a large vehicle (polluting the air with the engine running to maintain its air conditioning) at the Bourda Market stall in front of which it was parked. This is my parable of the elephant in the room. The drivers are the exploiters.

They park with neither consideration nor tax to get

what they want in the easiest way they can.

Their vehicles carry away the goods after polluting the environment.

The vendors are our politicians, their families and friends, hustling to serve the exploiters, oblivious sometimes to the traffic jam they are creating, so long as they can get the sale.

Most pitiful of all are the porters who represent the Guyanese people fighting one another to make ends meet in a cost-of-living space narrowed by government employers and foreign exploiters.

Let us therefore stop fighting one another and together tackle the collusion of governments and exploiters against us.

Alfred Bhulai Insurance development in Guyana – startling indeed

Police, public, and media could...

From page 4 offence in our Sexual Offences Act of 2010 called ‘statutory rape’.

It is critical that language is clear and that our education and advocacy against sexual offences is aligned with the law. The police have noted the importance of educating communities about the law. The news report makes a reference to a definition of statutory rape as “non forcible sexual activity in which one of the individuals is below the age of consent” .

This adjective “nonforcible” is nowhere used in the Act and opens the question as to what term is given to ‘forcible’ sexual activity. The sexual offences against children in the SOA are addressed in sections 10 to 21 and there are clear definitions of those offences.

The police should be making charges based on those offences. The of-

fences include rape of a child under 16 years, sexual activity with a child under 16 years, causing a child under 16 years to watch a sexual act, meeting a child under 16 years following sexual grooming, with additional penalties for different circumstances.

These offences recognise that coercion, guilting and grooming constitute a pattern of behaviour used by persons in power, trust and authority to abuse children and others who are vulnerable.

While we might want to assume that the police and other official sources should be credible, we realise that there is a lot of work which needs to be done to educate the police and others about the sexual offences.

In the meantime, the media might want to also do their own verification of the law and ethical guidelines for reporting on sexual offences.

Yours faithfully,

Vidyaratha Kissoon Vanda Radzik Josephine Whitehead, Danuta Radzik - Help & Shelter Patricia SheerattanBisnauth Sherlina Nageer Salima Bacchus-Hinds, Akola Thompson, Amy Yong, Charlise Adams, Nia Williams - Tamukke Feminists Dr. Raquel Thomas - Citizens Against Rape Karen de Souza Joy Marcus Wintress White Halima Khan - Red Thread Whanita Phillips Former Toshao of Santa Rosa Village Region 1 Paulette Allicock - Coordinator Makushi Research Unit Immaculata Casimero Wapichan Women’s Movement Nicholas Fredericks – Councillor Shulinab Village R9

Stop talking; start acting DEAR EDITOR, Talk! Talk! Talk! And more talk. The call for contractors involved in construction projects to up their game has

been ongoing for too long.

The time for talk is over. Errant contractors found in breach of contract and other infractions should be sanc-

tioned and penalised in keeping with contract terms and conditions. The time is now to walk the talk.

Shamshun Mohamed

The 7% pay increase for public...

From page 6 10 percent spread over four years which is 2.5 percent only the last year being tax free. The truth of the matter is that the public servants got nothing. Compare that with the restoration of the benefits and a seven percent retroactive pay from January of this year and you would see that the public servants got a reasonable pay increase.

Now, the charlatans of economic development are at their usual post, preaching their usual nonsense that the public servants deserve better, they are even pushing for industrial action.

This is ludicrous to say the least, because when you compare what existed under the same individuals who are crying foul and what we are presently experiencing, you

will see a vast improvement in the standard of living.

Only those who are so blinded by hate and political bias cannot see this; however, what I would kindly ask them to do is to take a serious introspection of the falsehoods, which they are now peddling and what makes for reality.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

The new game played by foreigners in oil-rich Guyana is rent-a-citizen. It is getting somebody to stand in the line in place of self.

This is how the foreigner 'juk de system' to get business. This is how they pay their way to get what they want.

What are Guyanese getting, except being used? Used by outsiders, used by local leaders, used by those on top.

PAGE 07

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Unions ramp up protest against 7% pay hike ...write President, AG seeking urgent meeting; flouting of Labour Laws The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) have intensified their calls for a review of the seven percent pay increase announced by the government last week.

Both unions have dispatched letters to the executive - with the GTUC writing the President asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the issue and the GPSU, writing the Attorney General telling him about his government's breaking of the law. Last Thursday, the Irfaan Ali Government announced a mere seven percent, across-the-board salary increase for public servants, retroactive from

J a n u a r y 2 0 2 1 .

This comes even after the State workers did not get an increase in salary last year.

Making the announcement on behalf of the Government was Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh. “I am pleased to announce now that your Government will be paying an across-the-board increase of seven percent to public servants, teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional office holders, as well as government pensioners. This increase will be granted retroactively to 1 January 2021, and work will start immediately to ensure that it is processed and paid to eligible employees together with

their December salary and in time for the festive Christmas season,” the Minister explained. Since then, there has been widespread condemnation of the seven percent imposition.

In its letter to President, Irfaan Ali, GTUC General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis said that the umbrella union has had an opportunity to discuss with the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), the seven percent increase in wages for Public Servants for 2021.

“The two abovementioned unions are the principal unions representing public servants but there are also

other unions representing public servants. The principal unions reject the decision of the Government.

They do this in light of the rampant inflation affecting workers and the sharp increase in the cost of living,” Lewis told the President.

H e a d d e d , “ Yo u r Excellency, you are also aware that the National Assembly approved $10 billion in the 2021 budget for increases in pay to Public Servants. This line item appears under the Ministry of Finance, in the estimates.

The 7% proposal, amounts to about $4.2 billion (gross) cost to the Treasury. This amount is taxed, so the

General Secretary of the GTUC, Lincoln Lewis Treasury claws back some of this money; in the circumstances, and based upon consultations within our unions, we now urgently request a meeting with you to discuss the way forward.”

The GTUC told the President that it is not unreasonable to demand that the monies approved by the National Assembly, be paid for the purpose so directed, (Continued on page 16)

'Spooney' gets 18 years for killing man on Christmas Day

Bevon Griffith called 'Spooney'.

Bevon Griffith called 'Spooney', who pleaded guilty to the 2017 Christmas Day killing of Sophia resident, Celwyn Allen was sentenced to 18 years in prison when his trial concluded at the Georgetown Supreme Court.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow who took a number of things into consideration in calculating the judgment.

Among other things, Justice Barlow took into consideration that a weapon was used in committing the crime on an unarmed victim.

She also considered the serious negative impact Griffith's actions had on the victim's family.Though the sentence was originally 18 years, the judge deducted one third from the sentence for his plea and three years, one month for the time spent on remand. Griffith formerly of P i k e S t r e e t , K i t t y, G e o rg e t o w n e x p r e s s e d remorse for his actions. He

Murdered, Celwyn Allen apologised to the family of the deceased, telling the court that he was under the influence of alcohol. Griffith appeared virtually before Justice Barlow at the Georgetown High Court.

The charge had been read

by State Prosecutor, Sarah Martin, who stated that on December 25, 2017 at 'C' Field, Sophia, Georgetown, he unlawfully killed Allen.

Griffith was represented by Attorney Ravindra Mohabir.

According to the facts of the case, Griffith, a drug addict from Kitty attacked and stabbed Allen after he mistook him for someone, whom he claimed had attacked him some time before. Previous reports had indicated that Allen, a labourer of Lot 1342 Cummings Park, 'E' Field Sophia, was walking with his fiancée, Nalydiah Henry, on Christmas Day when Griffith attacked him from behind and (Continued on page 16)

Thursday November 25, 2021

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

BERBICE IS NOW THE COVID-19 DANGER ZONE I have stopped commenting on the COVID-19 pandemic because I am convinced that only a tiny number of persons in Guyana are taking the local outbreak seriously. Had there been greater concern, Guyana would have been in a far stronger position, in combating the pandemic, than it is today.

In recent weeks, there has been a tremendous spike in cases in the Berbice area. And yesterday, the death was reported of a fully vaccinated man in his mid-50s. You can never tell whether persons are speaking the truth when they, or their relatives, tell the authorities about their vaccination status. Therefore, often, you have to accept when it is reported that someone who is fully vaccinated dies.

More Berbicians are going to die in the coming weeks because there has been a rapid increase in positive cases in that Region. In fact, Region Six is now closely following Region Four - the country’s largest Region - in terms of new infections. It is now surpassing Region Three in terms of daily new cases.

Berbice now has to be a Region of concern for the authorities. But the lack of detailed information means that the people of that Region may not be aware that they are now having their sharpest outbreak since the pandemic began.

By now, the pandemic should have ended around the world. But that did not happen because some countries coveted the early production of vaccines. Then vaccine hesitancy hit and the number of daily vaccinations has slowed appreciably.

By now, more than 80 percent of the population of the United States should have been vaccinated. However, the latest numbers suggest that only 70 percent of the US population has received at

least one dose and a mere 60 percent are vaccinated fully.

This is the vaccination status of the United States, three weeks shy of one year since vaccinations began.

The culprit has been vaccine hesitancy. From a high of four million doses per day in April, the US vaccination rate has shrunk to about 1.8 million per day at present. And not so long ago, it was under one million. It is only because of the booster shots and the vaccination of children, which has allowed the vaccination rate to surge.

In comparison, Guyana has not done too badly given the early difficulties in sourcing vaccines. Half of our population has received at least one dose and 34.1 percent are vaccinated fully.

The government uses a different metric. According to official figures, 77 percent of the adult population has received at least one jab and 53 percent has received the second.

The experience of other countries has shown that things are not going to get better faster in Guyana when it comes to the vaccination rate, even with the requirements for proof of vaccination to access public places.

There are however, signs of hope. The number of active cases, the number of hospitalisation and the number of cases in the COVID-19 ICU have been declining rapidly. From a high of 4,000 active cases at the end of September 2021, the number of active cases has now fallen below 2,000 and the number of persons in the ICU has been halved in the corresponding period. This is a fantastic achievement, which should have signalled that the pandemic was on its way out in Guyana.

But Guyana cannot be that optimistic. Not with Christmas around the corner, the rise in COVID-19 cases in

Europe and now in the United States, the continued relaxing of the social restrictions in Guyana and poor vaccination rates among young adults.

Christmas is around the corner...as literally is COVID19 also. We know what happened last Christmas.

New infections had declined by more than 25 percent in December. Deaths had also fallen by half to 13 deaths for the entire month. And so Guyanese dropped their guard and had their fun. But in the end, it was COVID-19 which was smiling because

by February and March cases and deaths had begun to rise.

If we repeat the same mistake, we are going to hit 1,200 deaths by Easter even with the present level of vaccinations.

No one has yet done a correlation between the rise of COVID-19 cases in the USA and the rise of COVID cases in Guyana. But it does not take much understanding to recognise that once COVID19 infections rise in the USA, Guyana will also experience an increase in cases and deaths. And COVID-19 cases are rising in the USA. The COVID-19 Task Force has relaxed the social restrictions to a point where we can safely say there are few restrictions in place. You still need proof of vaccination to get into government offices but at most supermarkets and stores you can waltz in without any questions. The curfew has also been shortened to the point of becoming irrelevant and because of this, there will be night-time spread of the virus which will counteract all the good work which the Ministry of Health has been doing. Like the government it serves, the COVID-19 Task Force has not seen it necessary to explain in detail the scientific basis of their decisions to relax the COVID19 regulations and the abysmal failure to enforce the

Dem boys seh ...

Birds nah like rainy weather De rains start. But dem boys nah know whether is de December-January rainy season or if is just wan episodic period of rainfall outside de rainy season. De authorities nah tell we as yet.

Some ah dem rice farmers wah did go to crop late, now hustling fuh reap dem crop.

While dem reaping, de majority planting. De early bird does always catch de worm.

It remind dem boys bout de man wah didn’t know wah fuh buy fuh he mother Christmas. So he ask he friends and dem tell he, dem know a place weh gat birds

which does talk. De birds bin expensive but de man decide he gan buy a pair at de hefty price of US$1,000 each.

He friend tell he dat de birds could even impersonate people, dance and tell jokes but dem need fuh get accustom to de new owner before dem do dem things.

De man decide fuh buy a pair fuh he mother. He presented dem to she fuh Christmas.

On New Year’s morning, he call he mother to find out how de birds doing.

He ask she, “So Mom, yuh like meh gift?”

She say, “Yes, and I enjoy dem very much. Thank you,

son. Dey bin delicious. Ah pluck dem and cook dem like little game birds.” ”No mom! Please tell meh yuh joking,” he say.

She assure he dat she wasn’t and he tell she bout de price fuh de birds and everything dem could do.

“Wait,” she say, “Dem birds could talk?”

“Yes, mom. Dem could sing, dance and talk,” he tell s h e .

He reply, “Well den why de hell didn’t dey say something?”

Talk half and remember birds don’t like rainy weather.

limited restrictions.

But the biggest culprit of all is vaccine hesitancy. And the age group where this is highest among adults is in the 18-37 age range - what we call young adults. Unless and until, there is a significant increase in the vaccination rate of this cohort, the virus will not go away and infected young adults will take the virus home and infect their elderly relatives.

Booster shots were

supposed to have commenced this week but no one knows why this has not happened as yet. This will offer some additional protection to persons over 50 years of age and to younger persons with comorbidities.

We have seen a spate of recent deaths of persons in their 50s and even younger persons in their 20s. The booster should help to reduce deaths but it will not necessarily reduce new

infections.

The road ahead will therefore be tough. But that is of our own making.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday November 25, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

I want David Hinds to know my sister made/sold black pudding There is a Meta video of David Hinds circulating in Guyana that is obnoxious, racially inciting and straight out of the playbook of Ronald Waddell. A note on Waddell will help contextualise the deportment of Hinds.

Wa d d e l l h a d g o n e o n Channel 9 in the aftermath of the election violence in 1997 and urged all those Indians who voted for the PNC to seek security shelter from the PNC. He was openly advocating violence against Indians who voted for the PPP. Up to this day, I still find it incomprehensible that one of the former WPA leaders, Bonita Bone-Harris (BBH), Waddell's partner, could reply to me in a letter of April 24, 2017 in this newspaper and assert that Waddell was a peaceful man. Waddell's politics was racially driven

and he didn't hide it. Surely BBH must have seen on television the violent, antiIndian vocabulary of her partner.

In a letter in the Stabroek News of January 30, 2007 BBH waxed lyrical about Waddell's qualities whom she referred to as her beloved partner (Adam Harris in an editorial note in this newspaper of April 25, 2017 referred to BBH as Waddell's wife). BBH wrote the following about the murder of her beloved partner: “It is no mystery to most that neither shooters, paymasters, political and criminal facilitators have had to face what passes for justice in Guyana.”

What BBH need to know is that Waddell lived by the sword and died by the sword.

Waddell nurtured gunmen in Buxton who went out into the

night and killed innocent humans simply because they were Indian Guyanese.

Channel 65 has video clips of Waddell being confronted by policemen. He had a container of gasoline and was in the process of committing arson at the GuyOil gas station on Regent Street in 1997. Had he succeeded, it would have been the second largest fire in Georgetown after the great Booker fire of 1945. He should have been arrested.

Life is inexplicable. BBH was in the WPA leadership.

Waddell was active with the WPA. David Hinds was in the WPA leadership. What is it about the WPA that it produced such ethnic transformation in its former activists?

So what is the connection between Hinds and Waddell?

Well it seems that Hinds has

PAHO urges caution as COVID-19 cases rise in the Americas Washington D.C., November 24, 2021 (PAHO) – With Europe seeing record spikes in COVID-19 infections and cases rising by 23% in the Americas over the past week, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa F. Etienne has warned that there is no room for complacency in tackling the pandemic.

“As end of year celebrations approach, get vaccinated, keep gatherings small and ensure mask wearing and social distancing, especially indoors,” she urged in a media briefing on Wednesday.

Over the last few weeks, many European countries have reported record numbers of new cases despite high vaccination coverage. The relaxation of public health measures combined with pockets of unvaccinated people has created the perfect environment for the virus to spread, Dr. Etienne said.

“Throughout this pandemic, Europe has been a window into the future for the Americas,” the PAHO Director warned. “The future is unfolding before us, and it must be a wakeup call for our region.”

Upward trends are already seen throughout the Americas, particularly in the United States and Canada. In

become Waddell number 2.

In a video he sent out last week, Hinds appears as Waddell in disguise. He advocated the undermining of the government and extended his undermining advocacy to Indian business people. He said they come from Black Bush and sell their stuff at Plaisance Market.

Then Hinds descended to the lowest depth. Here are his own words: “Well I almost fall down dead.” What happened to cause Hinds to almost die? He saw people flocking to a stand in Mon Repos to buy black pudding and when he went there, he saw it was an Indian woman who was the vendor. He then chastised Black people for leaving the villages of Plaisance, Beterverwagting and Buxton to go up to Mon Repos to buy Black pudding from an Indian woman.

What is wrong with an Indian woman selling Black pudding? When my mother was pregnant with me she sold wood for the coal pot for a living and my sister,

Gwendolyn would cook and sell black pudding next to her on Bent Street, Wortmanville, a south Georgetown ward that Frederick Kissoon was 99 percent populated by African p ol i t i c i a n s t h a t Guyanese.

What is wrong with African Guyanese have to Black Bush farmers sending put up with.

Will the Ethnic Relations their stuff to Plaisance so that Commission indict Hinds?

Plaisance vendors could sell E a s t C o a s t r e s i d e n t s The tape is there to be vegetables, greens and fruits viewed. It was pure racial incitement. Hinds live in the at a cheap price?

US but he could still be I live at Turkeyen and I buy my fruits at Plaisance indicted and when he comes from a Black vendor. to Guyana he could be Plaisance has one of the arrested. More importantly, largest road markets in Indians from Guyana who G u y a n a e v e r y S u n d a y are American citizens need to morning and all types of s h o w t h e u n i v e r s i t y ' s management where Hinds ethnic folks buy there. teaches in Arizona the kind of Hinds composed his racially driven drivel that video from his home in Arizona where he owns his comes from the mouth and own house. He stays in mind of Hinds. What is Arizona and urges Black Walter Rodney saying in his Guyanese to undermine the grave?

(The views expressed in government and Indian business people. But Hinds this article are those of the buys all his stuff from White- a u t h o r a n d d o n o t owned business places in the necessarily reflect the US. This is the type of opinions of this newspaper.)

Banks DIH, union sign multi-year wage package for workers Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa F. Etienne South America, nearly every country is reporting increased incidences, including in the Southern Cone. High rates of infection are also reported in the Caribbean. Central America is the only area to have experienced a drop in new infections.

While just over half of people in Latin America and the Caribbean are now fully vaccinated against COVID19, 19 countries have yet to reach the WHO target of 40% vaccination coverage by the end of 2021. Despite this, preventative measures are being lifted, including in densely populated areas.

“Every time we lower our guard, the virus gains momentum,” the PAHO Director said, “and threatens

our hard-fought gains.”

Last year, the Americas saw a jump in new cases following the holiday season, which took months to decline. With the upcoming holidays and summer vacations in the Southern Hemisphere, Dr. Etienne warned that “our individual and collective decisions chart the path of this pandemic.”

It is therefore crucial that individuals get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect against severe disease and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, particularly if they plan to travel, she said. More than 1.3 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the Americas (Continued on page 16)

Chief Labour Officer Mr. Dhaneshwar Deonarine (Centre), Human Resources Director Mr. Andrew Carto (right) and General Secretary of the General Workers Union Mr. Pancham Singh (left) display the MOA following the signing.

A new three-year Memorandum of Agreement was on Wednesday signed between the management of Banks DIH Limited and the General Workers Union (GWU) paving the way for a new wages package and other benefits for employees.

The signing ceremony

was held in the Boardroom of the Ministry of Labour, Brickdam on and was supervised by Chief Labour Officer Mr. Dhaneshwar Deonarine.

Employees will now receive an initial nine percent across the board increase for the first year and

five and three percent respectively for the remaining two years of the three-year agreement, Banks DIH said in a press release.

Mr. Andrew Carto, Human Resources Director who signed on behalf of the Company expressed (Continued on page 16)

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 25, 2021

Climate Change impacts could cost oil rich Guyana US$800M - Govt. Report says over 300,000 citizens could be harmed

Some of the homes that were almost submerged in water during the May-June 2021 flooding.

By Kiana Wilburg Since the 1960s, increases in temperature, sea level and extreme rainfall have exposed just how vulnerable Guyana is to climate change. This frightening global phenomenon has resulted in more than US$600M in losses. That figure could however see an alarming spike as two government reports predict that more climate woes of potentially catastrophic proportions lie ahead for the world's latest oil exploration hotspot.

According to the 2015 Climate

Resilience Strategy and Action Plan for Guyana, climate change will no doubt alter the characteristics of hazards Guyana is exposed to (e.g. average annual rainfall) and the nature of variability (e.g. more intense storms, irregular seasonal rainfall), which will hamper the nation's socio-economic development objectives. The report further notes, “It is estimated that by 2030 Guyana could be exposed to cumulative annual flood-related losses totalling US$150 million and that an extreme event similar to the serious flooding in 2005,

which resulted in losses equivalent to 60% of GDP, could result in some US$0.8 billion in losses and harm more than 320,000 people.”

The report also states that Guyana's vulnerability to weather and climate-related impacts is partly as a result of inherent characteristics of the country's geography and socio-economic development profile. It says these factors interact with the climate hazards to which Guyana is exposed and result in a range of climate impacts. The document says they include ageing and

inadequately maintained critical infrastructure, limited access to the latest knowledge and technology, and wider poverty and development challenges. Unless addressed, the 2015 government report warned that these factors will increase Guyana's sensitivity, and in turn vulnerability, to future climate impacts.

The recently launched draft of the PPP/C Government's Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 also acknowledges the foregoing findings while expounding on the extent of climate change impacts on the

nation.

The draft LCDS states that the effects on Guyanese people, s o c i e t y, e c o n o m y a n d t h e environment during flooding events in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and the droughts of 1997-1998, 2009-2010 and 2015-2016 are poignant examples of the devastation climate change may cause.

It pointed out that flooding in 2005, for example, caused damage estimated at US$465 million (60% of GDP at that point). This event is reported to have affected close to (Continued on page 18)

Former EPA head flags ExxonMobil’s ramped up production Former EPA head, Dr. Vincent Adams

- warns of safety breaches, violation of EIA guidelines

By Davina Bagot

F

ormer Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams has flagged ExxonMobil's increase in production aboard the Liza Destiny vessel without conducting a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to examine the possible effects of same. He said such a move by the oil giant does not only violate safety standards, but also increases the risk of a potential oil spill.

The current EIA states that the Liza Phase One Project would be operated by the Liza Destiny vessel and produce 120,000 barrels of oil per day. This was noted to be the safe limit of production. However, the company and the government have disclosed over the past few months that production rates have been ramped up to over 124,000 barrels per day.

In fact, the Bank of Guyana's Half Year Report said production surpassed nameplate capacity at 124,941 barrels per day, an increase of 65.4 percent from the corresponding period last year. This, according to the former head of the EPA, is dangerous and must not be allowed to continue. In fact, he called for Exxon's operations to cease immediately and for an independent investigation to be conducted.

During a news conference hosted by the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Tuesday, Adams voiced his concerns about what he described as a violation of safety standards. “The AFC is astounded by the recent public bragging of Hess's Manager that the Liza One is consistently producing above 124,000 barrels per day, with total disregard for the EIA's decree of the safe operating limit which is 120,000

barrels per day,” Adams highlighted.

In explaining the importance of the company adhering to the permitted safety limit, he told Kaieteur News in a subsequent interview that these increased production rates are likely to have devastating impacts on not only Guyana, but the Caribbean. Adams made reference to the fact that Exxon's gas compressor was dysfunctional earlier this year. He said that even though the equipment was damaged, Exxon could not say whether it was as a result of the increased production rates.

“You don't ever exceed the limit in the EIA because it is dangerous. When the compressor failed earlier this year, it was asked what the production rate was (and) they said 130,000 barrels of oil per day. So why were they producing 130,000 when they were supposed to be

producing 120,000?” Adams questioned.

The former boss of the EPA said even though Exxon and its subsidiaries might be making the necessary infrastructural adjustments to facilitate the increased production, it must first be approved by the EPA, and only after consultations are done with citizens.

In fact, he noted that an addendum to the EIA must be done, or an entirely new document, which outlines the risks of drilling beyond the safety limit. “They cannot do it (increase production) unless they put an addendum to that EIA. I heard them saying that their intention is to increase the rate and I am warning the people of Guyana, they cannot change the conditions that is already prescribed in the EIA unless they go back and apply to the EPA, and then the EPA would have to put it out for public comment again,” Adams

pointed out.

Further he explained: “The most important thing that an EIA does is it defines the safety envelope for operating and when the EIA says that the safe amount is 120,000 if they want to pump more than 120,001 barrels per day they have got to go back to the EPA and convince the EPA that it is safe and it has to be open to consultations. They just cannot make that decision.”

The environmental specialist expounded that 120,000 barrels of oil per day

was approved based on the size of equipment, including the pipes. He said that while the 4000 barrels extra might not sound like an alarming figure, it increases the dangers in the event of an oil spill.

Additionally, the former EPA head noted that such violations by an operator indicate an unsafe culture. “If they are violating the EIA, what else are they not doing that are violating the safety standards? It tells you that their culture is highly (Continued on page 17)

Thursday November 25, 2021

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Thursday November 25, 2021

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CAR RENTAL Aidan's Car Rental.Cal:6281183,225-3234.

Pure Dobermann pups call:699-7077/619-6086.Pure German Shepherd pups call:674-7531/645-5767.

Guyana Online Academy of Learning, (GOAL), in partnership with 3t EnerMech will be offering blended technical training scholarships to Guyanese interested in pursuing careers in the oil and gas industry. 3t Energy Group is an energy sector training and competency company, offering an extensive portfolio of training solutions, from digital learning technologies to pioneering simulation systems and expert-led in-person training, a release from GOAL said. According to GOAL’s Director, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, due to the burgeoning oil and gas sector, President Irfaan Ali is keen on cre-

ating a qualified workforce that is competitive with the rest of the world. The director further explained, “The estimated six weeks course will ensure successful participants attain an Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) Level 1 Qualification that will allow participants to demonstrate the required level of technical competence. More importantly, the ECITB qualification is internationally recognised and accredited.” In addition, successful participants will operate effectively and address challenges within the industry, and continuously develop further competen-

cies in the workplace. The courses will encompass a blend of e-learning and practical training at EnerMech facilities in Georgetown, Guyana and will be delivered across 3 stages: Stage 1 - A Pre-Learning Assessment; Stage 2 - Safety Passport courses which will be delivered online while Stage 3 Technical Pathway is the practical training. Emphasis on Safety Awareness Range and Safety System at work will be the focus during the Phase 2 stage, while in Stage 3, participants can choose from one of the three ‘technical pathways’ to successfully achieve their ECITB Level 1

Qualification: Rigging and Erecting; Structural Mechanical Piping (SMP) Operative and Fabric Maintenance, Coating, & Scaffolding. A minimum of five (5) CSEC/ GCE subjects are required, and applicants must have access to a laptop/computer and internet connectivity.

The online portal for the application process accessible on GOAL’s website: https:// govofguyana.smapply.io/ p r o g / oil_and_gas_technical_course/ is opened from today, November 24, 2021.

The deadline for submitting applications is December 8, 2021 at midnight.

Unions ramp up protest against 7%...

SERVICES

LAND FOR SALE

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040

102 GoodHope Mahaica, 500ftx42ft Roadside. Call: 691-8420.

House plan drawing & estimates. K.Lakeram Building C o n t r a c t o r. C a l l : 2 1 6 0671,692-8464 or whatsapp 622-0267.

Specialized repair/service: A/ C, refrigerator, washing machine,treadmill,stove, deepfryer, pressurepump & backwash,dryer,oven. 6949733.

Arbeth Contracting Services. We specialize in landfilling, kerbwall, land clearing ,roads, culverts, bridges,buildingsetc.

Call:629-3136.

Amarachi African Cuisine needs palm oil,bitter leaves processor.Cooks for nsala, banga & other african native diet.Tel:688-2141.

Grade 3&5 teachers needed at Jos-el educational Institute. Tel:226-7868/678-0652, 120 Peterose & Laluni St Queenstown.

Business opportunity of a lifetime,earn extra cash,part time/fulltime.Tel:656-2682.

WANTED One male able bodied clerk.

Call:616-5954,231-2029.

Skilled carpenters, masons, welder and labourers to work long termin Georgetown & Linden. Call:602-9469,6157526.

Domestic Worker to work at Peter's Hall E.B.D,must be from the E.B.D age 25 to 45yrs.Cal:231-0363.

Kitchen assistant/cleaner (live in-out ogle E.C.D) salary $120,000 monthly.

Cal:610-3974.

1 live in maid,salary $80,000 monthly.Call:665-0679.

2 bedrooms,444 Railyway Line Betterhope E.C.D.Call between 8am-4pm.Tel:6173001.

Two bedroom apartment for rent on E.C.D.Tel:601-2515.

Arbeth Contracting Services. Wanted for bobcat/ skid steer operator. Call:6293136.

Urgently Needed! Dried carilla bush.Contact:6098281/693-3003.

We are looking for one experienced & certified cosmet o l o g i s t / h a i r d r e s s s e r.

Tel:626-6450.

2 soup cooks,2 kitchen assistants.Must have experience. Good pay.Police clearance needed.Call:697-1955.

hours. It would be remiss of us, if at this meeting, we did not seek to obtain a return to Collective Bargaining, as required by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions,” the letter concluded.

For its part, the GPSU wrote Attorney General Anil Nandlall telling him of his responsibility to en-

sure that the Government acts in conformity with the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. The Union requested the Attorney General's candid and professional opinion on its accusations of the Government of Guyana flouting the Constitution and the Laws of Guyana and acting in conflict with its obliga-

tions to honour the International Labour Organisation Convention 151 Labour Relations (Public Service) which was unanimously approved by the Parliament of Guyana and is in force. These legally binding agreements that were entered into by the Government are not being upheld, the union said.

PAHO urges caution as COVID-19...

From page 10 and PAHO is working to expand access in places that are falling behind. The PAHO Director said that continued public health measures alongside vaccination are also key

Domestic- to work in Georgetown from 7:30am to 4:00pm(honest & mature).

Call:623-6383 between 7 am to 7pm.

Males to work at supermarket in interior 20 & over.

Tel:687-7638/691-3942.

FOR RENT

From page 8 which would be slightly above 14%.

“You are also aware that Guyana is now an oil economy and the traditional economy is no longer an argument and the low wage structure must now be a thing of the past. We expect to hear from your office by Friday, 3rd December, 2021 by 15:30

to reducing the spread.

These include mask wearing, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings, particularly indoors.

Maintenance workers & labourers to work with P.S.G.C.S. Preferably from E.B.D. Call: 621-6969/6157784.

Experienced Accounts & Bond clerk,tractor & truck drivers,porters.Apply at Alabama Trading.Tel:623-16515.

Cook/Baker and Pitmen for interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020/231-2250.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank.Call: 615-9132.

1Accounts/Inventory Clerk.Must have CXC Maths & English,email: benjamin_nathalie@yahoo.com.

One salesman,able bodied porters.Experience in writing bills,stocktaking & cashing.

Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom village.

Vacancy needed for Canter Drivers. Call:617-1809.

up to all of us to make smart and safe choices this holiday season so we can protect ourselves and each other from this virus.”

'Spooney' gets 18 years for killing...

From page 8 stabbed him to the neck, chest and back. Allen fell to the ground and was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital

VACANCY

“We've already faced the consequences of an uncontrolled pandemic and we don't want to be in that position again,” she added. “It's

where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Griffith was arrested hours later.

He reportedly told the police that he was “high” and mis-

took Allen for someone who had attacked him earlier in the day. Griffith also claimed that he was the 'boss' for the area and he felt disrespected when he was attacked.

Banks DIH, union sign multi-year wage package...

From page 10 gratitude to the Union for the cordial and professional way in which the negotiations were conducted over a three-week period. “I am happy to say that we were able to arrive at a consensus where we now have a new three-year agreement which highlights the increases, benefits and allowances which would be ap-

plicable to employees of the company for the next three years,” he added.

Carto conveyed appreciation to the Union on behalf of Mr. Clifford Reis, Chairman/ Managing Director. General Secretary of the GWU, Mr. Pancham Singh said the Union is pleased with the agreement.

“The negotiations were done virtually in light of the

Covid-19 pandemic and both parties showed mutual respect during the consultations.

We have a very long and cordial relationship with the Company and we would like to maintain that affiliation, he added.

Mr. Deonarine commended both parties for negotiating an amicable agreement.

Thursday November 25, 2021

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

US-based beauty entrepreneur to headline HERStory women’s conference this weekend WeLead Caribbean presents its fifth annual Women Empowerment Conference themed, “HERStory; Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Leaders”, which will inspire women in Guyana and the Caribbean to live their dreams and to overcome all that can stand in the way of their success.

The conference which usually features as its keynote speaker each year, influential female entrepreneurs from across the Caribbean Region and around the globe will be held virtually on November 27, 2021 at 7:00 pm.

This year’s conference will be available for free via the link h t t p s : / / herstoryconference2021.eventbrite.com.

The conference will be headlined by US-based beauty entrepreneur, Kim Roxie, the owner of a vegan makeup line LAMIK Beauty.

The company is based in Houston, Texas; it produces and sells makeup made from natural and organic ingredients and caters to multicultural women. In a bio posted on the LAMIK’s website, Roxie stated that the company was spun out of a need to have healthier make up options out on the market.

The entrepreneur explained that she had always felt a calling to work in the beauty industry and dreamed of creating a makeup line but when she researched the ingredients used to make the products, she was appalled.

This sparked her quest to create a healthier line and in doing so, Roxie embarked on a journey to becoming an entrepreneur. She explained in the bio, that her interest in producing healthier makeup options deepened after her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and eventually passed.

“It became my mission to give women of colour access to safe, natural beauty products. I knew I had to get my paraben-free makeup to every woman who wears makeup routinely. We are a health and wellness brand just as much as we are a beauty company,” Roxie explained in the bio.

Speaking to Kaieteur News about the upcoming event, President of WeLead Caribbean, Abbigale Loncke said that Roxie was selected to headline the conference this year, “because of the beautiful inspiring story behind her journey to entrepreneurship.”

“I think with Kim story’s is every woman’s story, we can easily identify with it, it’s like you can see yourself in it.

It’s a story about challenges and triumph—something we often don’t think about when we see successful women in the limelight, on television, in the newspaper… We rarely get to know their stories and how they got there. We are hoping that this conference will help inspire women to tell their stories because no matter how insignificant it may seem, it has the capacity to help to inspire another person…” Loncke said.

Emphasizing “that from homelessness and extreme poverty to the kind of success dreams are made of,” Loncke stated that the conference will also feature other incredible women who will share their stories, offer their wisdom, and answer the important questions that can make significant differences in the lives of women and girls.

Other prominent speakers of the HERStory event includes Mariah Hamilton; the Guyanese student from Sophia who overcame homelessness and poverty to attend a top university in the US; Jesika Kalika; a top US-

GECOM‘s search for new CEO winds down to six names The search by the Guyana Elections Commission GECOM to find a new Chief Elections Officer (CEO) has come down to six names.

During a meeting of the Commission on Tuesday the list which started off with 20 names has been brought down to six applicants whom the commission has started to consider to interview for the post. Those names include three local applicants; Vishnu Persaud a former acting Deputy CEO of GECOM , Aneal Giddings and Deodat Persaud; the three foreign applicants include Eugene Petty, Kurt Clarke and Leslie Harrow.

Kaieteur News understands that the foreigners have found favour with the three Opposition-nominated commissioners while the locals were selected by the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) members of the commission. Meanwhile, four persons have been shortlisted to be interviewed for the Deputy CEO post.

They are: Melanie Marshall, Neil Bacchus, Mohamed Arjoon and Deodat Persaud.

The selection of the names was also made this week as the six commissioners met with the Chairperson

Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh (rt’d) (rt’d) Justice Claudette Singh to discuss several issues including filling the vacancy that exist within the election machinery. This newspaper was told that the interview is expected to be conducted shortly.

Among the other issues that were discussed is that the commission was facing setbacks due largely because of the existing vacancies.

The staff deficiency at GECOM had essentially brought the work at the Commission to a standstill.

In addition to its search for a new CEO and DCEO, GECOM is also on the lookout for a Chief Accountant, Legal Officer, Research Officer and Logistics Manager.

PPP/C appointed GECOM

Commissioner, Bibi Shadick said that the lack of key managerial staff such as the Chief Accountant can put GECOM in an embarrassing position.“We have rent payments for buildings that GECOM occupies around the country, outstanding since January.

We don’t know when the landlord will say time’s up for GECOM; they want their building. So filling of those posts has now become a priority. We have cheques that cannot be signed and the Ministry of Finance holding off on accounts because there is no accountant to do the transaction and pay GECOMS bills,” she added.

Shadick had predicted too that the Commission’s plans to host Local Government Elections (LGE) later this year may not materialise.

She said: “Personally, I don’t see that happening.

Local Government Elections cannot be held if we don’t have any of the necessary personnel. We have no registration commissioner; no one to sign off on ID cards, there is no Chief Elections Officer do to the necessary preparations in time for an elections, at year end.”

based Guyanese marketing executive, and Carissa Henry; a single mother who became Guyana’s top law student for 2021 as well as Guyana’s US Ambassador, Sarah Ann Lynch . In the past, the conference featured Beyonce Grenada-born Publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure and Ethiopian royalty, Princess Ariana Austin Makonnen, who is of Guyanese parentage.

Loncke said the conference attracts hundreds of women annually who get to take away insight and advice on how to take their lives and businesses to the next level.

She noted, “Our Women’s Empowerment Conference is now five years old, and I am so proud of what we have accomplished over the years.

President of WeLead Caribbean, Abbigale Loncke.

Kim Roxie, the owner of the vegan makeup line, LAMIK Beauty.

Loncke added, “This year’s conference speaks to every woman and is intended to offer inspiration, support, and a community of women who are willing to rise together. I encourage women to

take this opportunity to attend the conference, listen to the encouraging stories from our speakers and share your stories; we embrace each other and inspire the next generation of leaders.”

Fully vaccinated man died of COVID-19 A fully vaccinated man from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, has died.

This is according to the Ministry of Health, which reported that the 55-year-old man died on Tuesday while receiving treatment at a medical facility. As a result of this, Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 980.

The ministry in its latest edition of the COVID-19 dashboard recorded 79 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 37,524.

Out of that number, 19,844 persons are women and 17,680 are men. A breakdown of new cases per region shows that Region Six leads with 37 new cases, Region Four with 24, Region Three with seven, Region Two with five, Region One with three, Region Five with two and Region Seven with one. The dashboard also shows that there are 12 patients admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 75 persons

in institutional isolation, 1,722 in home isolation and three in institutional quarantine.

To date, a total of 34,822 persons have recovered from the virus.

Former EPA head flags ExxonMobil’s ramped up...

From page 12 questionable,” he reasoned.

In light of this, Adams said that Exxon's operations should immediately cease. “If they are violating the EIA, I am calling for a shutdown of the operations and an independent investigation of their conduct of operations, because this signifies their poor safety culture,” he said.

This newspaper reached out to the EPA on Wednesday to ask whether ExxonMobil has approached it to seek approval for an increased production, however

no response was given. The officer said that the information will be made available as soon as it was channeled to her.

Debottlenecking Head of Hess Corporation, John Hess revealed a few months ago that ExxonMobil is now racing to produce up to 1.2 million barrels of oil from the Stabroek Block. Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Hess Corporation, Greg Hill said that the capacity of the Liza Destiny will increase to 130,000 barrels of oil per day.

He said that another capacity

increase will soon follow when the vessel goes for a two week shut down in November for the installation of a new flash gas compressor system.

Once this is done, the Liza Destiny would be able to produce between 140,000 barrels of oil to 150,000.

With respect to future projects, he said once they spend about a year in operation, each ship will undergo an optimization or debottlenecking exercise which would see capacity increase between 10 to 15 percent.

PAGE 18

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

Fish vendor robbed close to $1M moments after being warned A fish vendor, Gildat Ramoutar was last Saturday robbed of $900,000 moments after being warned that persons were plotting to attack him.

Charged for the offence is Tito Prescott, 25, a father of two, of Meadow Bank, Georgetown. The defendant appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, in the company of his lawyer, Ronald Daniels.

Prescott denied the charge which states that on November 20, 2021, at the Meadow Bank Wharf, while being armed with a gun and in the company of another robbed Ramoutar of $900,000.In his address to the court, Prescott’s lawyer stated that his client is innocent and has an alibi for the day of the alleged

Remanded, Tito Prescott. robbery. The lawyer also made a bail application, which was denied. The police prosecutor told the court that around 06:00hrs, Ramoutar was at the wharf with his truck GYY 7008 selling fish when his friend approached him and informed him that he overheard Prescott and another plotting to rob him.

Shortly after, the defendant in the company of an-

other, armed with a gun confronted Ramoutar. The court heard that Prescott’s alleged accomplice pointed the firearm at Ramoutar while Prescott reportedly pushed his hand into the man’s pocket and removed his money, before making good their escape.

Ramoutar then reported the matter to the Ruimveldt Police Station. Days after the report was made, the defendant was arrested and was also positively identified by Ramoutar. The prosecutor made objections to bail being granted to the defendant on the grounds of the prevalence and seriousness of the offence.Chief Magistrate McLennan remanded Prescott to prison and the matter was adjourned to December 1, 2021.

Climate Change impacts could cost oil rich...

From page 12 275,000 people (37% of the population). It was caused by a combination of a wetter than average December (2004), which left the ground saturated, followed in January 2005 by some of the heaviest rainfall the country has experienced since records began in 1888.

Kaieteur News understands that some areas reported as much as 120-150cm of standing water, which remained for several days. The heavy rainfall also caused an increase in the water levels of the East Demerara Water Conservancy Dam (EDWC), which came close to a critical breaching level (59ft) and could have resulted in the failure of the dam wall. A socio-economic assessment of the damage and loss caused by the 2005 flood revealed major impacts to the agriculture sector, particularly in the regions of West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands, Demerara/Mahaica and Mahaica/West Berbice. Region Four was most severely affected, experiencing close to 55% of the total damage, followed by Regions Two (23%) and Five (19%). Considerable losses were recorded in the sugar, rice, livestock and other crop (fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers, and herbs and spices) subsectors.

For the floods experienced earlier this year, President Irfaan Ali described it as unprecedented and one of the worst disasters in the country's history. The draft LCDS states that the social and economic damage is likely comparable to the 2005 flood which affected close to 37% of the population and caused economic damage equivalent to 60% of GDP. In his address to the nation, the President said that in May alone, Guyana had

experienced its second highest rainfall in 40 years. He said the resulting impact saw massive flooding across all 10 Administrative Regions with over 300 communities directly affected for a protracted period of time. Furthermore, the President said that the Agriculture Sector suffered the greatest loss with 92,000 acres of farm and farmlands completely affected. He disclosed that the sugar industry was also significantly affected with estimated losses in the fields of over $1.5B. Kaieteur News had reported that over 50 percent of mining operations were affected, as mining communities were cut-off as a result of infrastructural damage. Government's initial assessment estimates rehabilitation work in excess of $1B for the mining community. Damage to the Forestry Sector; loss of production and damage to equipment is estimated in excess of $8B. In response to the massive disruption in the economy, the Government had committed to direct transfers to households and farmers to allow them in the first instance, to return to some level of normalcy in their homes whilst supporting the agriculture sector. Approximately $10B was subsequently approved by the National Assembly in supplementary provisions to address these needs.

DROUGHT While heavy rainfalls which lead to floods have affected the nation over the years, it is not the only climate emergency Guyana faces. Drought is also a concern for the oil producing state, particularly in the Hinterland Region.

Following an extended period of dry weather in late 2014 and early 2015, the draft LCDS report notes that the Hinterland was facing

drought conditions by April 2015. Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and parts of Region One (Barima-Waini) were particularly affected, resulting in the reduction of agricultural output in the Regions, reduction in available water supply and increased dust pollution among other issues. The lack of rainfall also caused decreased water levels in the wells, lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks and other water sources. Frequent bush fires, destroyed several farms at Aranaputa and local communities experienced limited access to potable water for domestic and agriculture use.

Residents were also forced to go to local rivers, including the Rupununi River, for untreated water for domestic use.

With increases in the number of dry spells, drought conditions and changing rainfall patterns, the report states that stress on Guyana's internal water resources, aquifers and rivers is increasing.

With resources from the Guyana-Norway Partnership, the PPP/C administration reminded that policy leaders under the guidance of industry experts developed the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy which sets out a comprehensive and overarching framework for adapting and building resilience to climate change impacts.

In 2021, the government said work will re-start to implement the strategy. Specifically, it said the most important elements of the CRSAP will be brought up to date. Funding will be allocated to four priority climate resilience programmes, and a strategy to finance the remainder of the CRSAP from ecosystem services payments and other sources will be put in place.

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Govt. tightens noose on delinquent contractors …to introduce 'demerit system' H ead of State, President Irfaan A l i , i n announcing a raft of new measures to be implemented by the administration to address deficiencies in the timely execution of government contracts has announced the introduction of a 'demerit system.'

He also said firms that have unfinished works on current contracts will be barred from getting any new project.

Citing a recent interaction with the contractor for one of Guyana's major projects underway, President Ali recounted, having “a meeting with the contractors doing the Mandela to Eccles four lane highway, [and found out] they weren't working in the night. Suddenly after that meeting, we have full capacity to work in the night and we are seeing the progress in the last week.”

Timely Completion The President was at the time addressing a specially

organised meeting between the administration and scores of contractors taking on primarily large-scale contracts—$100M and above—at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) on Monday last.

During the activity, the President outlined that “timely completion [of projects] is important for the government” and as such, “at the end of this year, we will have an assessment of every contractor.”

To this end, President Ali announced that government would then be introducing a 'demerit system' and explained that the demerit system will work in such a way that “the net value of outstanding work will be transferred to the new-year and will become your net value of work in progress.”

Such a system, Dr. Ali explains, “…would disallow you from having new contracts or disallow you from a certain level of new contracts.” He said, this

measure is among the new inclusions to be encompassed in the new bidding documents to be issued by budget agencies.

President Ali, in clarifying his position for the contractors present in the dome of the ACCC for the conference, explained, “if

Man gets life sentence for killing WCB couple

Nazamudin Rafeek called 'Shazam' Twenty-five-year-old Nazamudin Rafeek called 'Shazam' was on Wednesday sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Sandhil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court.

He had initially pleaded not guilty to the murder of businessman Arthur Rajkumar, 81 and his reputed wife Diane Chamanlall, 44, of Bushlot Village, West Coast Berbice which occurred sometime between January 8th and 9th 2016.

He however later opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter during trial. 'Shazam' was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after

Dead: Arthur Rajkumar

Dead: Diane Chamanlall

serving 35 years.

State Prosecutor, Abigail Gibbs, had detailed previously that the accused and others were smoking 'Ganja' and concocted the plan to rob the couple of their valuables and cash.

They invaded the premises by wrenching out a grilled door while demanding 'gold and money' but the couple told them that they did not have any.

The couple was then chopped about their bodies with a cutlass and knife, before the accused and his accomplices proceeded to ransack the home and shop.

Gibbs said the men had the time to pack groceries and

drank Stag Beer while searching for gold and money.

After spending several hours and realising that the police were outside, they fled and during the attempt to escape Rafeek dropped his cap at the crime scene.

The cap was later identified by him while in custody. Rafeek was also covered in blood when he escaped from the crime scene and spots of it were found in his yard and bathroom.

Police also found Rafeek's bloodied clothes soaked in a bucket of water in his house.

The accused was represented

by Attorney-at-law Mursaline Bacchus.

addition to price and technical qualifications, Head-of-State, there will be a performance President Irfaan based award system.”

To this Ali addresses end, the President cautioned contractors at those in attendance that with ACCC on Monday. the click of a button, information can be had on each of the contractors in the system.

“So you will have a performance based award system that will be incorporated into the bid document.”

Addressing the Oil and Gas sector specifically and the proposed Local Content Legislation, the President told contractors that more local opportunities will be opening up.

“The Local Content you go over to the new year Legislation is going to open with $500M in projects that up tremendous opportunities was supposed to be for you; tremendous completed but was not opportunities for that would completed, it becomes a even deplete our contractor demerit factor for you; so you pool currently,” President Ali can fall from a tier one asserted. contractor back to a tier three To this end, the President contractor; I am being very urged contractors present, to open and transparent with choose one of two options, you.” either “adopt a winning Local Content culture,” or alternatively, Additionally, President “stay where you are, be Ali announced too that his happy and slowly be pushed administration will be out of what is happening.” introducing a 'performance He elucidated saying, in based award system.' order to adapt, this will He explained saying, “in r e q u i r e i n v e s t m e n t i n

capacity and resources and cited as example that the cement required for the New River Bridge across the Demerara Harbour Bridge, would overwhelm all of the batching plants in Guyana, collectively.

As it relates to the proposed, Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, President Ali said, “we are nowhere close to having any capacity in supplying the concrete [for that project].”

These, he said, references only two proposed government projects and called on contractors present to, “imagine the impact down the line for other folks.”

According to President Ali, his government's investment programme constitutes various levels and that “our national infrastructure transformation is going to set us on a pace and trajectory that is second to none in the world.”

To t h i s e n d , h e highlighted ongoing and new projects such as a building of a number of new four lane highway networks across the low coastal plain, an industrial estate that will require billions of dollars in contractual services, the New Bridge and Hydro project, among others.

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Govt. admits fish catch declining ...promises to conduct study to get true picture of situation Months after fishermen have been complaining about low catch and other ills in the industry, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday admitted that there has been a noticeable decline in catches over the years and that the government was in full support of having the necessary analyses done to determine the root cause of the issue.

Mustapha on Wednesday met with stakeholders from the fisheries sector to discuss some of the issues faced and how government can assist with resolving those issues.

During the meeting, fishermen raised concerns about the low catches they are currently experiencing and how it has affected their ability to provide for their families. According to a Ministry of Agriculture release, after listening to the fishermen, Mustapha concluded that, “indeed, there has been a noticeable decline in catches over the years and that the government was in full support of having the necessary analyses done to determine the root cause of the issue.” He added: “Let me make it clear, this government will not let the fisheries industry die. We agree that there have been low catches but we have to shy away from making assumptions without proper first conducting a proper analysis. Guyana is not the

Some of the fishermen at the meeting. only country that is being affected by low catches. This is a global phenomenon and the factors will vary from country to country.”

Mustapha told the fishers that the reason behind low catches in one country may not be the reasons behind low catches in another. He said a number of factors can be causing the low catches and, as a government, “we are prepared to work with you to do the work so that we can have a solution to this issue,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha informed the fishermen that the government has since engaged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to assist with conducting an analysis to determine the reason behind the low catches. He also told the fisher folk that a collective effort between the government and players in

the fisheries sector is needed to address the issue of low catches in Guyana. The FAO, which focuses on issues relating to food, around the world has assisted governments with conducting similar analyses in other countries.

Kaieteur News reported on Monday that fishermen in Guyana are reporting a rapid decline in catch, and predicting that they may very well be out of jobs in the next five years even as they attributed this to ExxonMobil's operations offshore.

A key report from the American multinational has warned that there will be significant impact on the nation's marine resources, due to the cumulative impact of those oil related activities.

This disclosure was made in the project documents for the Yellowtail development in the Stabroek Block, operated

by ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and

Production Guyana Limited ( E E P G L ) .

The report, which formed the premise for the recently concluded countrywide consultations on the Yellowtail development, noted that there are several exploration and development activities planned or are already in operation by EEPGL. These include the US$3.5B Liza Phase I Development, the US$6B Liza Phase II Development, and the U S $ 9 B P a y a r a Development projects.

EEPGL said, it is continuing with a rapid exploration and drilling programme in the Stabroek Block alongside works on its fiber optic cable installation project, an onshore Guyana Office Campus, and the US$900M Gas to Energy Project.

It is also poised to drill 24 wells across the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, which border the Stabroek concession. It said too that the oil related

activities will result in changes in marine nutrient cycle, resulting in localized and temporary changes in phytoplankton (a type of microalgae) species distribution, and impacts on gene flow. In spite of the foregoing, EEPGL said citizens and local authorities ought to be assured that the project will adopt a number of embedded controls, mitigation measures, and management plans. The ExxonMobil subsidiary said these are considered sufficient to address the contributions of the project to cumulative impacts.

Local fishermen however are not comforted by the oil company's assurances. “Ever since them man start drill we seabed out deh we catch gone very low. I in this business like since I was a child. In the earlies, from like 2007 when I start catch fish to like 2016. We used to get an exciting catch. But you see from like 2016 to now; presently, we catch is like going and strain water cause when we go out there we would just catch back lil gas money and something to

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha feed the family. You can't presently do nothing for yourself with this fish,” Stayon Frank, a fisherman who retails fish in the Stabroek Market told the Kaieteur News recently.

He opined that the only way to keep the sector alive may be to create nurseries at home, as he sees the business slowly becoming extinct.

“Next five years we won't get this type of fish here in Guyana anymore. Right now, the fish getting smaller and smaller. Is bare small fish. We might have to start mining fish in we back yard to keep this hustle alive,” the frustrated vendor told this newspaper.

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 25, 2021

Thursday November 25, 2021

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Kaieteur News

BCB secures sponsorship from Dr Frank Denbow for BBC drop ex-England captain Vaughan from fast bowling clinic with legendary Windies player The pro active and be organising a series of considered positive role Under19 World Cup where he Ashes coverage amid visionary Berbice Cricket cricketing clinics as it strives models. The BCB President is the bowling coach and the Board continues to break new to make sure that every stated that Dr Denbow England/ West Indies series racism allegations grounds as it strives to emerging talent is given all the contacted him about three where he is expected to serve develop the game in the Ancient County to another level over the next two years.

The Board under the leadership of Hilbert Foster has secured sponsorship for a proposed fast bowling clinic in the county from overseas based Guyanese Medical Doctor, Frank Denbow in the New Year.

Foster, who has spearheaded a major restoration of Berbice Cricket since his election in 2018, stated that the board would

opportunities to develop themselves.

With this in mind, the board would be hosting at least twelve major clinics during 2022 to cater for every aspect of the game including fast bowling, off spin, leg spin, left arm orthodox, wicket keeping, batting, fielding, physical fitness and captaincy.

The BCB intends to use not only its own coaching staff but former and current test players who are

months ago to inform him that he was very impressed with the raw talent of West Indies under 19 player Isai Thorne and stated that he was willing to sponsor a fast bowling clinic if the board was able to obtain the services of legendary fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose.

The BCB President, who is also a Cricket Director of Cricket West Indies, opened discussion with Ambrose, who has indicated that he was available to come after the

Thursday November 25, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your home life may be hopping today. Visitors will stop by unexpectedly, houseguests will move in or out, or workmen will swarm the place doing repairs.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're feeling conflicting emotions today. It's possible that you enjoy your activities but feel that you aren't good enough to stick with one in particular.

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Pursue the topics that interest you. No matter how esoteric or strange, give yourself the luxury of following an interest that could turn into a passion.

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Perhaps you'll decide to spend some money sprucing up your home.

CANCER(June21–July22) This is bound to be an exciting day. Certainly it will be busy. You're in the mood to do something different, as your sense of adventure is heightened. Why not invite some friends to go out with you this afternoon?

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Keep your wits about you today. You could be privy to some important information.

You might get a good investment lead or a hot tip on the stock market.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Friends are an important part of your life. As you get older you'll find that they become even more so. Today you may enlarge your circle of friends by one or many. Perhaps you'll join a group with similar interests to yours.

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AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Expect to get some fabulous news today. You'll finally get your due. It may be a promotion, raise, challenging new project, or some combination of these.

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as a cricket commentator.

Foster expects the clinic to be held in late March or early April. The sponsorship is worth $1.3M and will cover the cost of a stipend for Ambrose, accommodation, local transportation, airline ticket, security and meals for a four day visit. The packed schedule would include three four hours clinics, a welcome cocktail, questions and answer segment with youths, an award presentation and farewell ceremony. A trip to the Upper Corentyne area is also been plan.

Foster expressed thanks to Dr Dewbow for his support and noted that the generous doctor donated to the Demerara Cricket Club and Queens College during a recent visit to Guyana.

Berbice, he noted is known mostly for its spinners but this investment would allow more fast bowlers to come forth to follow in the footsteps of players like John Trim, Romario Shepherd, Leslaine Lambert, Ray Joseph and Kevin Darlington.

The BCB President also disclosed that promising fast bowlers from the other counties would be invited to attend the sessions as the objective is to assist Guyana’s Cricket. The board would also expand hosting of its social skill seminars across the county to go along with the clinics under the developmental programme.

Ambrose is widely rated as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of cricket, taking 405 wickets in 98 test matches at an average of 21.00 and also took 225 wickets from 176 ODI matches at 24.10. He produced one of the greatest fast bowling spell versus Australia in 1993 when he took seven wickets for one run at the famous Perth Ground.

(Reuters) - Former England captain Michael Vaughan will play no part in the BBC’s coverage of the upcoming Ashes series after being named in the racism controversy involving former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, the broadcaster said yesterday.

Rafiq alleged that Vaughan told him and two other players of Asian origin that there were “too many of you lot, we need to do something about it” before a match in 2009. Vaughan has strongly denied the accusation.

“While he is involved in a significant story in cricket, for editorial reasons we do not believe that it would be appropriate for Vaughan to have a role in our Ashes team or wider coverage of the sport at the moment,” the BBC said in a statement. “We require our contributors to talk about relevant topics and his involvement in the Yorkshire story represents a conflict of interest.” Vaughan said he was disappointed with the decision but added the problems afflicting the sport were bigger than his plight.

“Very disappointed not to be commentating for TMS (Test Match Special) on the Ashes and

will miss working with great colleagues and friends, but looking forward to being behind the mic for @foxcricket in Australia,” he wrote on Instagram.

“The issues facing cricket are bigger than any individual case and I want to be part of the solution, listening, educating myself and helping to make it a more welcoming sport for all.”

The 47-year-old, who has been an analyst with the BBC since 2009, was dropped from a radio show by the broadcaster earlier this month after the allegations came to light. The five-test Ashes series between England and hosts Australia begins in Brisbane on Dec. 8. The racism scandal that has engulfed English cricket also had former players at Essex saying that they suffered racist abuse at the club.

One of Essex’s principal sponsors - training and skills provider Seetec - have now suspended ties with the team “with immediate effect.”

“Any form of racism should not be tolerated. We encourage sports clubs to work with their local community to celebrate diversity and work at all levels to root out racism, wherever it manifests,” a spokesperson for Seetec told Reuters.

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Thursday November 25, 2021

AIBA President Umar Kremlev meets Thiago and Salah on target as with President Mahmoud Abbas Liverpool maintain perfect record Thiago scored his first goal of the to discuss boxing in Palestine AIBA President Umar Kremlev met with President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas to discuss boxing development and AIBA’s support of the country’s athletes.

Palestine has been an active participant in recent AIBA competitions, notably this year’s Asian Boxing Championships in the UAE and the AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Belgrade. AIBA provided financial assistance to ensure the Palestinian athletes were able to attend and perform to the best of their ability. In his discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas, AIBA President Umar Kremlev shared that this is part of a long-term development strategy for boxing in

Palestine.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the President of AIBA for supporting Palestinian boxing. Our country was going through difficult times, the development of sports in general and boxing in particular did not proceed at the highest rates, but now we are paying great attention to this area. We will be happy to assist the creation of a boxing academy in Palestine and the implementation of the program for introducing the discipline of “boxing” into the curriculum of schools and higher educational institutions. I hope our cooperation with AIBA will be fruitful and long-term,” said Mahmoud Abbas.

“AIBA is committed to developing boxing in Palestine. I am delighted to have met with the President to discuss how that can be achieved,” said President Kremlev. “Boxing is a

universal sport and everyone should have equal access to participating in it and honing their skills. Palestinain boxers have shown a lot of talent, and as the international governing for the sport it is our duty to ensure they have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

The meeting came to a close with President Kremlev providing 500 pairs of boxing gloves and head guards to the Palestine Boxing Federations, as a sign of AIBA’s commitment to long-term collaboration for the growth of the sport.

Throughout 2021 AIBA has shown its determination to support boxers around the world through a series of development programmes.

President Umar Kremlev has met with political and sports leaders to create and implement strategies that will enable the sport to grow and contribute to social development.

season for Liverpool. (Getty Images)

BBC Sport - Liverpool maintained their 100% record in the Champions League this season by seeing off Porto at Anfield 2-0.

Jurgen Klopp’s men, who had already secured top spot in Group B and a place in the knockout stages after winning their first four games, picked up another three points against the Portuguese side.

The Reds were not at their best in the first half and although hardly at full tilt in the second either, they scored two lovely goals to clinch another victory.

Spain midfielder Thiago drilled in a stunning, long-range finish, cutting across the ball to produce a rasping a 25-yard strike

that nestled in the bottom corner.

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah cut in from the right and jinked his way past a visiting defender before smashing home at the near post.

Porto were punished for missing a glorious chance after 11 minutes when Otavio inexplicably side-footed wide from eight yards out with an empty goal to aim at.

Liverpool hammered Porto 5-1 in the reverse fixture in Portugal and could have handed out another similarly emphatic victory but Sadio Mane’s cool finish was ruled out by VAR for offside, as was Takumi Minamino’s volley from close range.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 25, 2021

PAGE 25

Sri Lanka four wickets away from big win over West Indies

A

FP - Sri Lanka need just four wickets to win the first Test against West Indies in Galle after setting the all-butimpossible target of 348 on yesterday’s penultimate day of play.

West Indies had made just 52 before bad light forced an early end after the hosts’ spin trio made quick work of the top order.

The sensational collapse saw the tourists lose four wickets in 15 balls for just four runs.

Ramesh Mendis was the pick of the bowlers finishing with four for 17. The offspinner had the makings of a hat-trick as he trapped Kyle Mayers leg before.

Jason Holder was expecting the ball to turn into him on the next delivery but a straight path smashed his off-stump.

Joshua da Silva walked in to face the hat-trick ball but it was wayward from Mendis, who bowled down the leg-side.

Lasith Embuldeniya

Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne bump fists after the latter reached fifty • Nov 23, 2021 © AFP/Getty Images

accounted for Jermaine Blackwood and Roston Chase.

There was little hope for West Indies at 18 for six and all signs were that the game was going to end on the fourth day.

Then Nkrumah Bonner (18) and da Silva (15) batted

for just over 45 minutes to hang in before the umpires called bad light.

West Indies’ lowest total against Sri Lanka is 93 all out in Barbados in 2018.

Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 191 for four after a 123-run stand by Angelo Mathews and

Ramesh Mendis picked up four wickets on the fourth day.

(Associated Press)

Dimuth Karunaratne in just 150 deliveries.

Skipper Karunaratne, who had posted 147 in the first innings, narrowly missed twin centuries with 83, including nine fours.

He finally stumbled after attempting to cut Rahkeem Cornwall, a top edge knocking the ball off the wicketkeeper’s gloves and into the hands of first slip.

Karunaratne has been

prolific this year with over 850 runs now at an average of 77. He is the world’s thirdhighest run getter in Test cricket for 2021, behind England’s Joe Root and India’s Rohit Sharma.

The West Indies were 230 all out in the first innings, with nine wickets falling to Sri Lanka’s spinners. Left-armer Praveen Jayawickrama was the pick of the bowlers with

four scalps to his name.

The fourth day’s play was delayed by one hour due to rain. A total of 52 overs were lost on day three due to rain.

Scores: Sri Lanka 191 for 4 dec (Karunaratne 83, Mathews 69*, Warrican 242, Cornwall 2-60) and 386 lead West Indies 230 and 52 for 6 (Mendis 4-17, Embuldeniya 2-18) by 296 runs.

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Thursday November 25, 2021

Benzema gets 1-year suspended sentence in sex-tape case VERSAILLES, France (AP) — France and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was given a oneyear suspended jail sentence and a fine of 75,000 euros ($84,000) yesterday in a sextape case that rocked French soccer and put the talented striker’s international career on hold for more than five years.

Benzema was found guilty of being involved in an attempt in 2015 to blackmail France teammate Mathieu Valbuena. In addition to the fine, Benzema was ordered to pay Valbuena 80,000 euros ($89,700) in damages.

Benzema’s lawyers said he will appeal.

Benzema was charged with complicity in the blackmail attempt over a sex tape thought to have been stolen from Valbuena’s mobile phone.

The Versailles court decision is unlikely to affect B e n z e m a ’s i m m e d i a t e sporting future. The forward is regarded as one of the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or award on Nov. 29 in Paris following an impressive season with Madrid. French federation president Noel Le Great has already said Benzema would be allowed to keep playing with France even if found guilty.

Benzema was in Madrid’s squad for its Champions League groupstage game at Moldova champion Sheriff later yesterday.

Benzema, who denied wrongdoing, didn’t attend the trial in Versailles last month and was absent for the verdict. The four other defendants were also found guilty on charges of

attempted blackmail and did not appear at the court yesterday.

“Benzema will come to explain himself before the court of appeal,” said Antoine Vey, one of the player’s lawyers. “He was absent from the trial for professional reasons, the fact that he was absent had an influence in the judgment.

This conviction is unfounded.”

Prosecutors had asked that Benzema be fined 75,000 euros, the maximum allowed on the charge, and be given a suspended 10month jail term if found guilty.

The court gave a jail sentence of two years and six months to Mustapha Zouaoui, saying he masterminded the plot. Axel Angot, who first got hold of the sex tape in 2014, was

handed two years in jail.

Another of the convicted b l a c k m a i l e r s , Yo u n e s Houass, received an 18month suspended jail sentence and Benzema’s longtime friend, Karim Zenati, was jailed for 15 months.

Both Angot and Zenati’s sentences could still be adjusted.

After preliminary charges in November 2015, Benzema was dropped from France’s national team by coach Didier Deschamps.

That resulted in Benzema missing the 2016 European Championship, and also the 2018 World Cup which was won by France.

Deschamps recalled Benzema in May ahead of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament and has since fielded him regularly.

During the trial, Valbuena testified that Benzema spoke to him about the sex tape, telling him “there’s a video, it’s hot,” when they were together at France’s Clairefontaine training camp in October 2015. Benzema also said that he had a good friend who could help and “can solve your problem,” Valbuena testified.

Although Benzema “never spoke to me about money,” Valbuena said he understood that he would

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema reacts after failing a chance to score during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Granada and Real Madrid at Los Carmenes stadium in Granada, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Fermin Rodriguez, File) have to pay for the friend’s assistance.

In a subsequent phone call wiretapped by police, Benzema talked with Zenati about the conversation Benzema had with Valbuena.

Benzema and Zenati had known each other since childhood.

When Zenati was released from prison in 2013, following robbery and drug convictions, Benzema hired him as an assistant.

In the wiretapped call, which was played in court, the pair chuckled about B e n z e m a ’s t a l k w i t h Valbuena. Benzema said that he had told Valbuena that “if

you want the video to be destroyed,” he should contact Zenati, without involving police, lawyers or others.

“I gave my word that there are no copies,” Benzema said in the call.

Va l b u e n a ’s l a w y e r, Didier Domat, said the ruling came as a relief for his client.

Unlike his former teammate, Valbuena has not played for France since the scandal broke.

“He has suffered sports prejudices that are difficult to repair,” Domat said. “We are satisfied that his status as a victim has been recognized.”

Thursday November 25, 2021

Kaieteur News

Man City beat PSG to reach Champions League last 16 as group winners

Raheem Sterling’s goal was his third in as many Manchester City matches. (Getty Images)

B

BC Sport - Manchester City came back from behind to beat Paris StGermain and secure qualification for the Champions League last 16 - doing so as Group A winners.

City’s outstanding display reaped the reward it deserved, as they showed character as well as class after Kylian Mbappe swept PSG into a 50th-minute lead.

PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino, heavily linked with Manchester United following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking, was left disappointed as City hit back in style to turn the game around.

Raheem Sterling’s recent good run continued as he turned home Kyle Walker’s far post touch to equalise after 63 minutes.

Then substitute Gabriel Jesus was the beneficiary of an exquisite lay-off from

Bernardo Silva to beat PSG keeper Kaylor Navas from close range 13 minutes later.

PSG’s superstar trio of Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar were a sporadic threat but City carried the greater danger and this was a well-merited victory, putting them into the last 16 before they travel to face RB Leipzig for their final Group A game, which will be played behind closed doors.

Results from Wednesday 24th November 2021 Besiktas 1 – Ajax 2 Inter Milan 2 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0 Club Bruges 0 - RB Leipzig 5 Man City 2 – PSG 1 Atl Madrid 0 - AC Milan 1 Liverpool 2 - FC Porto 0 Sporting 3 - B Dortmund 1 Sheriff Tiraspol 0 - Real Madrid 3

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