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Friday Edition Bobby Gossai was AIETEUR NEWS only given a warning and 15 days no-pay for role in US$214M audit fiasco

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

October 27, 2023 - Vol. 25 No. 43

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 71,184

VP Jagdeo welcomes Chevron's takeover of ExxonM’s partner ...says company's deep pockets will help Guyana meet peak production as fast as possible Local miners threaten to sue Govt. over seizure of approved claims …say Minister Bharrat indicated area only open for large-scale operations

Govt. partly responsible for Troy Resources's escape with $2.6 billion in unpaid royalties - Jagdeo The leading women behind Sispro Inc.: Dr. Melissa Varswyk, Abbigale Loncke-Watson, Ayodele Dalgety Dean, and Dee George

Despite Exxon's US$58.5M Covid bill…

Jagdeo maintains Women-led consortium company's work wins two oil blocks from Guyana's first auction was interrupted ...companies to be engaged in negotiations to complete contracts during pandemic

Join the protest today @ 09:00hrs in front the Office of the President for Exxon to return those 120 oil blocks to Guyana!

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Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

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Despite Exxon's US$58.5M Covid bill...

Jagdeo maintains company's work was interrupted during pandemic

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has maintained that Exxon provided evidence that work was interrupted at their operations during the Covid-19 pandemic, as he further justified the extension of the oil major's hold on 20% of the Stabroek Block which it should be giving up this month based on the Production Sharing Agreement it signed back in 2016 with the Guyana Government.

Exxon was expected to return a portion of that oil rich block to the country this year that could have been auctioned, however, former President David Granger had issued an extension during the Covid-19 Pandemic period in 2020 before he left office. The extension required the operator to provide proof that its work programme was indeed impacted. Jagdeo at previous press conferences said that Exxon had supplied evidence to justify the extension, but he did not need to provide this to the public. During an August press conference at Freedom House, he said

“Exxon brought in information and gave a full report to the Ministry [of Natural Resources] on how their original [exploration] plan was affected from six rigs down to four because two could not be mobilized.”

He continued, “So they demonstrated how Covid affected them. It is the David Granger extension that therefore shifted the timeline to relinquish 20 percent of the block from 2023 to 2024 and that is the consequence we are living with.” When asked about sharing this evidence publicly, the VP said, “We don't have to give evidence to AFC.” The chief policymaker for the sector was also not inclined to make government's reports on this matter public to ease tensions of other stakeholders. He said the fact of the matter is that an extension was granted and the government did not extend it. Despite calls from sections of society, the government has kept those documents close to its bosom, therefore leaving Guyanese to question its decision.

However, when confronted at his press conference held on Thursday last, about ExxonMobil billing Guyana US$58.5M for Covid-19 related expenses as proof that the company was working during the period it claimed it was affected, Jagdeo maintained that the evidence provided to government by the oil company was enough.

“We just said you have to supply to us the information as to the planned activities and how they were not carried out.”

He went on to say that, “Where there was departure from the planned activities, they have supplied evidence to that effect saying these are the number of wells in our plans to drill here, we didn't get to do all of these.”

The Vice President noted that it is a fact that Exxon was “spending money to keep operations going in the period of the audit, to put people at the hotels and quarantine their staff and then flying them back out to the FPSO, is a measure that they took. Now our auditors

had issues with their cost, and what it was provided for. So that has to be the magnitude of their claims and the veracity of their claims would have to be demonstrated.”

Jagdeo's response to the question asked by Kaieteur News's reporter, comes in the wake of the audit report into the sample of expenses for the year 2020, where auditors found that Exxon had used an astonishing US$58.5 M from the Stabroek Block revenues, for Covid-19 related expenses.

The audit into ExxonMobil Guyana's expenses for the year 2018 to 2020, uncovered that a significant portion of the US$58.5 million in Covid19-related bills was allocated to chartered flights, amounting to US$18 million.

The auditors concentrated solely on the initial year, 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic first hit Guyana.

The auditors discovered that the Covid-19 costs incurred were not confined to Guyana alone but extended to locations including

Guyana calls on IPU to condemn Venezuela's aggression on border controversy Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC has called on the Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly in Luanda, Angola to condemn the actions of the Republic of Venezuela, and demand that the country respects the legal process of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Attorney General is part of Guyana's Parliamentary delegation attending IPU's 147th Assembly this week in Angola. The IPU is one of the oldest and largest associations of Parliaments in the world. It comprises of 180 Parliaments across the globe.

“The Bahamas was accepted as the 180th member of the Union at the 147th meeting of the Assembly currently taking place in Luanda, Angola under the theme “Parliamentary Action for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” pursuant to Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the United Nations.

After addressing a number of issues, including the importance of the Rule of Law to Justice and Democracy, Guyana's Minister of Legal Affairs connected the theme of the conference with Guyana's border controversy with Venezuela. “Time is of the essence,” Attorney General Nandlall declared as he inform the IPU of the GuyanaVenezuela issue “Much has been said about the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and

Guyana's Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandall, SC

conflicts elsewhere. However, I wish to place on the record, a situation which is evolving in my country, Guyana, where the Republic of Venezuela proposes to pass a referendum in that country on the 3rd of December, 2023, seeking to annex to Venezuela, more than two thirds of Guyana's sovereign territory,” Nandlall said.

He noted that this reckless and unlawful move is intended to further Venezuela's baseless claim to Guyana's territory - a dispute long settled by Arbitration in 1899. “Venezuela perseveres with this illegal conduct despite that this issue is pending between the two States at the International Court of Justice upon the

direction of the UN Secretary General.

Actions like these not only undermine public institutions but engender conflicts and violate the very thematic fundamentals of this conference,” the AG told the parliamentarians gathered there. In the circumstances, Nandlall called on the IPU to condemn the actions of the Republic of Venezuela and demand that Venezuela respect the legal process of the International Court of Justice. Kaieteur News understands that delegates from many countries have since expressed their support for and solidarity with Guyana in respect of its border controversy with Venezuela.

Efforts will be made to have these expressions of support formalised.

Houston, the United Kingdom, and Trinidad and Tobago. The costs were meticulously catalogued in separate files, notably including Houston Facility costs, United Kingdom (UK) Facility costs, Flights, Guyana Facility, and more.

It was unveiled that 90% of the Covid-19-related costs were charged to the Stabroek block account, with Canje and Kaieteur (a block from which ExxonMobil had walked away earlier in the year) shouldering the remaining 10%.

Further insights into the breakdown of charges reveal that Exxon billed approximately US$9 million for recoverable hotel and hotel-related costs, with a substantial portion allocated to the Atlantic Hotel (Marriott) in Guyana, encompassing blocks of rooms, whether occupied or vacant. Other hotel-related expenses covered Cara Lodge and Pegasus Hotel in Guyana, in addition to hotels in Trinidad, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., all used for quarantining individuals before their journey to Guyana.

Exxon's charges also extended to approximately US$18 million for Covid-19related chartered flights, covering elements like travel voucher taxes, pre-flight Covid-19 tests, aviation fuel, and in-flight catering.

Chartered flights from London, executed by British Airways, accounted for US$1.3 million, while flights from Houston, operated by United Airlines, incurred US$1.2 million in expenses.

The auditors further exposed that Exxon billed approximately US$2 million for various medical staffing and supplies, including test kits, nurses, masks, gloves, a n d h a n d s a n i t i z e r.

Additional charges totaling around US$11 million were allocated to staging employees for operations, encompassing coordinators, security personnel, medical support, and catering specific to operations.

Notably, Exxon also registered charges of around US$210,000 for facility management expenses, encompassing janitorial services, tent rentals, electrical and generator repairs, and various sanitization supplies.

Moreover, approximately US$1.3 million was assigned to employee or affiliate costs r e l a t e d t o s t a n d b y, quarantine, and staging.

Importantly, the audit process did not scrutinize every single bill within the US$7.3 billion expenditure.

Auditors only reviewed a sample of the bills. The local and international team of experts was given a fourmonth deadline to complete the audit.

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Guyanese: make this Friday October 27, resonate in history The day is here, and every Guyanese should be out there in front of the Office of the President. Guyanese must make their voices heard, and let their presences send strong messages. Leaders are not believed, politics is ruining the oil gift, and it is time for the will of the people to prevail.

For starters, the protest is about 120 oil blocks to be relinquished in days. Those blocks must be returned to Guyana, no ifs, ands, or buts. Guyanese must manifest how important this is to them, as many of them try to reconcile being so rich, yet so hand-to-mouth. From 09:00hrs, Guyanese will show who and what they stand for in the numbers that come out. It is either that they are for themselves, their families, their communities; or they are for the politicians that they revere as gods. Politicians who have proven to be false gods, the worst of failures.

Those 120 oil blocks belong to Guyana, and must be handed back in the time identified. Guyanese can benefit from having those blocks in their hands, by disposing of them constructively.

The terms of the contract, which all politicians love to make their religion and obey its sacred commandments, must apply to the fullest, i.e., to the letter. There can be no grounds for any wiggling and the many other contortions that have come to feature prominently in what they say and do. No grounds can be found for wiggling by political leadership, none should be allowed. There are no two ways about this, and this is one of the objectives of this Day of Protest: ExxonMobil Guyana must hand back those 120 oil blocks, each and every one of them, and not a day later than such should be.

Moreover, the Day of Protest has ring-fencing of oil projects as another boiling issue. What has been approved recklessly and thoughtlessly by successive governments is gone, and cannot be revisited. It is unfortunate, but a tough and costly reality that must be lived with, accepted tightlipped. For new oil projects waiting in the pipeline for approval, however, it is a different story. In a nutshell made of steel, those projects must be ring-fenced, with the sixth one being the first. The Day of Protest has ring-fencing as another nonnegotiable objective, and it is one before which ruling politicians must be made to bow.

They can shout and stamp their feet with venomous fury, but at the end of this day (Friday, October 27th), let the passions expressed drive home to the world how Guyanese will not rollover and give over their patrimony without the fiercest fight. The latest word coming out of America is that the shareholders of Hess Corporation and Chevron have expressed their anxieties over intensifying calls for renegotiation of the 2016 ExxonMobil contract. Those shareholders are concerned about the fat, sweet, rich returns on their investment directly or indirectly in Guyana oilfields.

The people who have already benefited handsomely from their Guyana investment are alarmed over renegotiation ‘noise’ coming out of Guyana, and other places around the world. The majority of Guyanese have not benefited anywhere in comparison from the oil that is their birthright. It makes no sense, therefore, for Guyanese on the losing end of a dirty oil deal to remain silent, to be content with piffle and pennies, when the shareholders of ExxonMobil and now Chevron and CNOOC gorge themselves on porridge, partridge, and pudding of the richest sorts. It is worth noting that the pickings from Guyana are so rich and sweet that Hess Corporation’s CEO, Mr. John Hess is holding on to the family shares, plus is poised for a director’s seat on Chevron’s board. Thus, the Hess family is set to continue benefiting from Guyana’s oil in more ways than one.

With the above in mind, all Guyanese should be quietly assembled before the Office of the President on this Friday, October 27, 2023. It is about oil blocks and ring-fencing, and then some more. It is for the future and the richness that is the inheritance of every Guyanese. Make this Friday, a day of standing and reckoning, one that resonates through history.

Friday October 27, 2023

The time for sloganeering is over: We must march forward as 'One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ DEAR EDITOR, The Government and the Opposition both agreed that the recent actions of Ve n e z u e l a p o s e a n existential threat to Guyanese and our very way of life.

The Opposition is acutely aware of the seriousness of this situation and continues to support the Government’s efforts in m a i n t a i n i n g G u y a n a ’s sovereignty and territorial

integrity. The Government must appreciate though, that it has a duty to galvanise this nation to unity, to stoke the fires of patriotism in the belly of every Guyanese man, woman and child. The rallying cry of the adversary is loud and singular, cutting across all political lines.

We too must rally! Now more than ever, we must draw upon the spirit that saw our forefathers through the struggle for independence.

We must emphasize those symbols of our nationhood which were birthed out of this very spirit and the creativity of the Guyanese People. A nation that must stand together, cannot do so under two banners. The national interest demands an end to the sloganeering. The national interest demands that we march forward together, under one standard – ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.

From the

peaks of the Pakaraimas to the lush sands of the Corentyne, we must remain committed to an unambiguous national approach understanding that we are one people in this one nation with a singular destiny to mould.

Sincerely Hon. Amanza WaltonDesir, MP Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

If Government and Opposition can unite against Venezuela, they can unite against bad Exxon contracts too DEAR EDITOR Images of our Government side and Opposition side meeting and having a united front against Venezuela’s spurious claims on Guyana’s territory speak well of our leaders. At a time when our national wellbeing is threatened, our leaders have put aside pettiness and are united that Guyana’s boundaries are set in stone, and we will not yield a blade of grass to the bullies. This time there is no whining about who didn’t shake outstretched hands, and silliness about who is installed, not elected. Our leaders are showing maturity at a time when it matters most. They have set aside “expose, oppose, and depose” to say to the enemy that we are united about our borders. We must be a united nation when our best interests are threatened. We must be ‘One Guyana’ when enemies rise to deprive us of our land and natural resources. Thanks to Venezuela for making us ‘One Guyana’!

So why can’t we be united against the similar threat of the imperialist, neocolonialist, Exxon working hard to deprive us of billions and billions of dollars in refusing to renegotiate a bad oil contract? Our sovereignty is at stake here too. Despite all the hype and hyperboles about being the fastest growing economy on Planet Earth, we remain a poor, backward Third World country borrowing from whomever will lend to us.

We are behind on every social indicator. Blackouts abound. Our water supply is deficient. health, education, transportation,

infrastructure, flood control, crime control, traffic control are languishing. Our Government Ministries operate with no sense of customer service, using backward colonial era rules and practices with poor technology.

Everything needs fixing in Guyana. This requires lots of money to fix everything and to restructure our compensations systems, doubling NIS and Old Age Pensions, providing living wages to our working poor and elevating all our people above the poverty level.

To me, this is a state of emergency too. This is as bad as Venezuela trying to steal our land. The oil companies are in effect stealing our national patrimony, acting as bullies (similar to Venezuela), and threaten our long-term survival as they take 85.5% of all oil income and Guyana gets only 14.5%. So why can’t the PPP and PNC unite to get a better oil deal for all Guyana?

While they fight each other, the enemy ships out megabillions of profits from our poor country. Can the big two parties explain to the nation why they cannot be on the side of the people when it comes to oil? They also have to explain why they secretly told Exxon during the election that they will not renegotiate the oil contracts.

S o , i n t h e Ve n e z u e l a situation we are against imperialism. But in the oil situation, the major parties are united on the side of the oil imperialists.

I ask the nation and the PPP and PNC, going forward, can we remain ‘One

Guyana’ in all things?

Rodney King asks, “Can’t we all get along?” Gandhi said, “you can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.” Our politics has always been a poisoned chalice, but the same nationalism we are showing against Venezuela’s greed, is needed in the matter of oil renegotiation and Exxon’s greed. Will our

leaders rise to this challenge, or will we continue to betray the nation? I say unite for Guyana. Unite for the working class that Jagan and Burnham fought for. Now is the time for that National Patriotic Front when it comes to oil renegotiation. If we do, all Guyana wins!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

City Hall refuses rates & taxes payment DEAR EDITOR I write to draw attention to an anomaly which is happening at the Mayor and City Council Rates and Taxes Department. It would seem to be impossible to pay Rates and Taxes there.

I visited in March, May, September and most recently last week in a vain endeavour to pay Rates and Taxes on my property, payment which was denied

by City Hall staff. I was told that due to a computer error in 2019, my payments could not be processed until the error was cleared. I was shown a scrappy exercise book with some names and numbers and a bunch of papers pushed in the back, which I was told was the file list they were working on. Each time I was told that there are a lot of properties in this situation and there is only one person available at Town Hall to work on these and clear this alleged backlog.

Editor, something is not right here. How can you have citizens willing to pay Rates and Taxes, how can you have the city council complaining

they are underfunded because Rates and Taxes are not being paid, how can you have a backlog dating from FOUR YEARS ago, how can this have gone on for so long, how can you only have one person looking after allegedly correcting this situation???

I have paid and have receipts up to 2022, so if City Hall is saying there was a problem back in 2019, where has my money gone? Mr. Mayor, something stinks in this Department. It is my right to pay my rates and taxes and one would think I would be welcomed so to do. I wonder how many other people are in the same situation? Up to date Rates and Taxes form a part of every property portfolio along with water and electricity accounts, etc, and are an important part of proof of ownership. Denying the public, the right to pay these taxes is nothing short of scampishness.

Could the Mayor please look into this and allow me to pay the money I owe him?

Regards Peter Bouchard

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

Since Burnham’s time, they deprived us of this hydro power potential, all of them the British, the Americans and Venezuela DEAR EDITOR In 1823, the United States of America declared the Munroe Doctrine, which established for them, security for the territory they held in this hemisphere, there were four articles of the Monroe document, which mainly sought to stop further colonial expansion by European powers in this hemisphere.

The Monroe doctrine stated that: (1) the United States would not interfere in the internal affairs of or the wars between European powers; (2) the United States recognised and would not interfere with existing colonies and dependencies in the Western Hemisphere; (3) the Western Hemisphere was closed to future colonization; and (4) any attempt by a European power to oppress or control any nation in the Western Hemisphere would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States.”

From the very beginning the dispute had very little effect on US/UK relationship, even though the British did expand their occupation to include 33,000 square miles after the Monroe declaration in 1823 and after 1841 when they discovered gold west of the SchomburgkLine, which they commissioned in 1841 to delineate the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. But around 1895 a lobbyist for Venezuela, William Lindsay Scruggs, sought to argue that British behavior over the issue violated the 1823 Monroe Doctrine and used his influence in Washington, DC, to pursue the matter. US President, Grover Cleveland, declared an American interest in the m a t t e r, B r i t i s h P r i m e Minister, Lord Salisbury and the British ambassador to Wa s h i n g t o n , J u l i a n Pauncefote, misjudged the importance the American government placed on the dispute, prolonging the crisis before ultimately accepting the American demand for arbitration of the entire territory. Since it became clear that the Americans were prepared to go to war to enforce the Monroe doctrine.

To make a very long and complicated story short the Arbitral Tribunal convened in Paris, France in 1898 consisting of the Chief Justice of Great Britain, the Chief Justice of America and

a Russian Judge Friedrich Fromhold Martens, this tribunal decision in 1899 delivered its decision and which resolved the matter fully, completely and forever , In doing so, they refused to accept the extra 33,000 Square miles the British was claiming, but found merit and allowed the British to retain the 30,000 square miles which Venezuela was claiming from the Essequibo river and awarded the western boundary of Guyana according to the Schomburgk line which is roughly the current border between Guyana and Venezuela, but not the additional 33,000 Square miles which the tribunal ruled that the British apparently settled after the Schomburgk boundary was set by the 1841 survey. The Russian judge was a very highly regarded Jurist of the time and in 1902 was even a runner up for the Nobel Peace Prize for averting war between Britain and America for excellence in the way the borders dispute was settled.

Since 1899 therefore there existed no border dispute with Guyana and Venezuela, it was clear that Venezuela had accepted the 1899 award as a final settlement of the border dispute. Even as late as 1941, the Venezuelan minister of foreign affairs, Esteban Gil Borges, agreed that the

frontier with British Guiana was well defined and was a closed issue.

However, in February 1944, forty-five years after the arbitral award, Severo Mallet-Prevost, one of the four lawyers who r e p r e s e n t e d Ve n e z u e l a before the arbitral tribunal, wrote a memorandum in which, for the first time, he attacked the award on the alleged grounds that it was the result of a political deal between Great Britain and Russia. However, he refused to make the memorandum public and instructed that it should not be published until after his death. The memorandum was finally published by his associate, Dr. Otto Schoenrich, in the American Journal of International Law, Volume 43, Number 3, of July 1949.

By which time every member of the tribunal had already died and were incapable of repudiating the spurious charges Prevost had made. Prevost’s allegations (Continued on page 06)

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Need for stepped-up monitoring at our borders DEAR EDITOR, A few weeks ago, Jan Khan described what was considered the appalling situation at the Skeldon Hospital, including the conditions his family faced during his sister’s stay at that institution, her last days on earth.

It was a description of Skeldon Hospital, where communication with the capital Georgetown is good, and the ability to correct the identified lack of resources and supplies could be easily rectified.

We have not seen any further report in the press and would be happy to learn from the authorities in Region Six and/or the Ministry of Health of any corrective measures, which have been implemented.

Ha v i n g r e a d o f Region Six, we have been wondering about the situation in the other regions, where the free flow of information may

be a bit more difficult, and less likely to reach the press.

As an example, what of the situation in Region One, the North West Region, through which we hear reports of many new arrivals from Venezuela?

As the population increases, by transition or settlement, demand for health services and attention will increase, and one is left to ponder whether steps have been taken to increase supplies to that Region.

We are pleased to see the Government and Opposition discussing and taking a unified position for our Dear Land, on the sabre-rattling by Venezuela.

But have we stepped up our vigilance/monitoring among the visitors (long or short term) and reinforced human resources and supplies where they are free to settle?

Over the past few years, there have been reports of marked increases of malaria among the gold- mining and general population in the highly endemic eastern areas of Venezuela, west of Guyana’s Regions 1, 7 & 8.

A s w i t h R e g i o n S ix, we would be happy to learn whether additional resources for health have been deployed to Region One. As an example, to register and screen arrivals at ports of entry (formal and informal) in Region I, to detect those with symptoms, diagnose, and initiate treatment of malaria upon entry to Guyana.

A n d , t o t a k e i t even a step further, to strengthen surveillance and monitoring in any additional Regions, such as Region 2,7 and 8 where similar arrivals may choose to enter and/or reside.

Yours sincerely, Keith H. Carter, MD

Kaieteur News

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GFS 66th anniversary…

The significance of October 24 DEAR EDITOR, While the 24th October may be just another day in the life of anyone and another date on the calendar, it also marks the birth (actor Kevin Kline) and death of many (Civil Rights Leader, Rosa Parks), stock markets plummeting (2008), total solar eclipse (1995) and other astrological events, and, it holds a global meaning with an international taste.

One such significance is Polio Day, 24th October, being the day set aside to bring an awareness to this devastating and deadly disease and another reason for unity in the world to come together to prevent, fight and treat this infection.

Advocates are advising in order to help prevent this birth defect, not to hesitate but vaccinate, so, stop the strop and get a drop.

World River Dolphin Day / International Day of Freshwater Dolphin is observed and celebrated every year on October 24th globally to raise awareness about dolphin conservation and the need to protect their habitats. Right here in Guyana, in the Rupununi, Pink River dolphins are observed and being researched for their ecological role, habitat requirements, and potential

threats to their survival.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 coined the phrase “United Nations.”

The UN was established after WW2 and on 26th June1945, the charter was ratified and signed in October by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, to formally established the United Nations. The underlining reason being to avoid the world from experiencing such catastrophic monstrosities as occurred from WW1 and 2 and the cold war. October 24 is identified as United Nations Day to celebrate its success, an awareness of the aims and objectives and a reminder of its theme, “Equality, Freedom and Justice for All.” The 193 membership of the UN is headed by Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, a former Prime Minister of Portugal. Guyana was elected to serve as a nonpermanent member to the UN Security Council starting January 2024, and, will be part of the body responsible to maintain international peace and security for the next two years.

Hindus throughout the world, on the tenth day of Sharad Navratri, celebrate

Vijayadashami, popularly known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain. This year, October 24, symbolizes the day of good over evil, a reminder of Lord Rama in battle, defeating the evil King Rawan, his son Meghnada and brother Kumbhkarana. The nine nights festival designated to the Deity, Durga Ma in her manifestation of Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswathi, also demonstrates the destruction of the demon, Mahishasura. This festivity includes the enactment of explosive effigies and accompanied with dance and songs and feasting with families and friends with kheer, jalebi and ladoos. The members of the Alexander Vi l l a g e M a n d i r w e r e fortunate and privileged to have the company of His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali and the Honorable Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, visiting and participating in the celebration of Navratri. The PPP/C government is tirelessly in the forefront, battling the evil in society and providing light over darkness. Divinity dominating deviousness d e m a r c a t e s t h e determination demanding prayers for peace and unity.

In a world consumed with the Ukraine/Russia (Continued on page 22)

Friday October 27, 2023

Since Burnham’s time, they deprived...

From page 5 called into question the competence and integrity of everyone on the Tribunal, including the chief justice of America Melville Weston Fuller and his assistant, Justice David J. Brewer who were adjudicating in the matter on behalf of America and Venezuela. The British and the Russian jurists for c o n s p i r a c y, a n d t h e American Chief Justice for incompetence.

Now we come to the reason I am writing this, from 1949 to 1962, 63 years Editor, the British never entertained or even acknowledged these ridiculous allegations made

by Prevost, neither did America.

But miraculously in 1962, just when the British and the Americans were mulling over what they were going to do about Cheddi Jagan and independence for Guyana, the controversy miraculously reappeared, editor this can’t be coincidence, someone influenced and prompted Venezuela to make these spurious claims at that specific time so that the British could put into the conditions of Guyana obtaining independence, a process forcing us to agree to some good officer ridiculous nonsense at the UN. Editor I

don’t believe in Santa clause or the Tooth Fairy, the problem is that Venezuela probably never understood the reason for the good officer process and took this to mean their claim was legitimate. Nothing unusual with that, Venezuela, at one time or the other, have had border disputes with all of their neighbors including Brazil and even some of the Caribbean islands.

It is my contention therefore that this Venezuelan nonsense and the imposition of Proportional Representation as conditions of our independence was a way to maintain control over Burnham and Jagan.

Sometime in 1985, I was installing my TV system at the home of one of the Ambassadors to Guyana, I’m not going to say which one, and in our discussion and a drink after the installation, he asked me why Guyana ever agreed to this process in the UN to conciliate such a ridiculous nonsense.

Editor let’s assume that you and I go to court on a matter at the Privy Council in Great Britain, or the Supreme Court of the US and the law lords there, render their decision on the matter, would any legal system anywhere in the world, allow

a reopening of the matter63 years after the matter was settled in court, based on unsubstantiated and unprovable information submitted by a clearly unhinged man?

The bottom line is this, if my hypothesis is correct, to control Burnham and Jagan, one a communist and the other a socialist in this hemisphere and viewed as against US interest, the British influenced by the Americans, forced Jagan and Burnham, as a condition of independence, to agree to something which has plagued this country since 1964, Editor, they created this monster, and even though they are supporting us now, given that this was probably caused by them in the first place, they could do more to help us, especially the Americans. For decades they have deprived us of developing this country the upper Mazaruni Hydro project since the 70’s, is only one example and they are still flogging this dead horse because they have a bigger military then we do, as recently as 2015 I saw the following in Demerara Waves “Brazil’s plans to build hydropower stations in Guyana have apparently hit a brick-wall as a result of Venezuela’s objections, according to Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge” anyone wants to guess how much money we can make from selling electricity to Brazil? Since Burnham’s time they deprived us of this hydro power potential, all of them the British, the Americans and Venezuela.

From 1966 to this day Editor, 57 years!! When will enough be enough?

Sincerely Tony Vieira

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Friday October 27, 2023

Kaieteur News

Publisher of the Kaieteur News has called for a day of protest today October 27, 2023.

The aim of the protest is to call on the government to invoke the provision in the lopsided contract with ExxonMobil for that company to relinquish 20% of the Stabroek Block which it currently holds.

Today’s protest is about 120 oil blocks to be relinquished in days.

Those blocks must be returned to Guyana, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Guyanese must manifest how important this is to them, as many of them try to reconcile being so rich, yet live hand-to-mouth.

From 09:00hrs, Guyanese will show who and what they stand for in the numbers that come out.

It is either that they are for themselves, their families, their communities; or they are for the politicians that they revere as gods.

Politicians who have proven to be false gods, the worst of failures.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

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Friday Monday October May 02, 27, 2022 2023

Bobby Gossai was only given a warning and 15 days no-pay for role in US$214M audit fiasco The Ministry of Natural Resources has decided to deduct 15 days pay from the salary of Senior Petroleum Coordinator, Gopnauth B. Gossai Jr. and gave him a written warning for his role in the unauthorised reduction of US$214M in questionable expenses by ExxonMobil to US$3M. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced that Gossai would face disciplinary action after an investigation found that he had engagements with the oil major that was never approved.

In a notice from the ministry published on

Thursday it was stated, “A review of the facts emanating from the investigation has confirmed that the discussions were never approved at any of the mandatory levels.” Notably, it was stated that Gossai was disciplined, according to Public Service Rules for the offence of negligence.

Accordingly, the maximum fine of 15 days' pay has been imposed on Gossai, along with a formal warning, the ministry said.

The ministry had initially launched an investigation to identify the individuals within the ministry involved in reducing the questioned sums, flagged by British

company, IHS Markit. This firm was hired in 2019 by the Guyana Government to audit ExxonMobil's expenses in the Stabroek Block from 1999 to 2017, totaling US$1.7B. IHS Markit identified US$214M in questionable sums, which received no objection from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Despite GRA's recommendation to conclude the audit at that sum, the ministry continued to negotiate with Exxon for a reduced amount.

During his press conference on Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo responded to questions about whether the

disciplinary actions were sufficient, stating, “I said to Vickram Bharrat (Natural Resources Minister) to deal with that matter, he has dealt with it and he sent out a document to that effect.”

He emphasised, “The statement captures our position, the ministry's position.”

Minister Bharrat in a statement earlier this month had emphasised that the Guyana Government's position is that the GRA is the sole and final authority to determine the audit's outcome. The ministry's role was to oversee the audit process as per the 2016 Stabroek Block Production

Senior Petroleum Coordinator within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Gopnauth B. Gossai Jr. Sharing Agreement (PSA) and facilitate information exchange among relevant parties, including the GRA. Minister Bharrat explained, “Based on advice from Gossai that the initial claim of USD$214,911,994 w a s r e d u c e d t o USD$3,414,853.68, I wrote to the Guyana Revenue Authority on November 28, 2022, seeking their no objection.”

As recently as July 2023, Gossai reported in a meeting with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister Bharrat that the initial sum had been further reduced to

USD$11,497,140, and later down to USD$3,414,853.68.

However, it was subsequently revealed that the GRA did not agree with this reduced figure, and the initial claim of USD$214,911,994 remained unchanged. Minister Bharrat reaffirmed, “The only authority to make a final determination is the Guyana Revenue Authority.”

He also pledged to establish systems to prevent such lapses in the future and advise staff members to fully disclose all contacts and information sharing with sector stakeholders.

GPHC removes $200,000 fee for hip, knee replacement surgeries The Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) has removed the $200,000 fee that was attached to hip and knee replacement surgeries as well as the revisions.

On Thursday at the World Pediatric Project (WPP) Media Update Event, held at the GPHC Resources Center, the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Robbie Rambarran said that, “For the hip and knee replacement there was a fee, while it was minimal for the actual total cost for the surgery in terms of all the supplies, and the theater time and surgeon time, and everything else that it associated with the surgery, it was $200,000.”

He noted that the $200,000 was really a burden to many persons in dire need of the surgery, especially the elderly. The replacement joints have a lifespan, after which it will need a revision to check on where things are. “We had no system in place to accommodate a revision.”

He said they have worked with the orthopedic team and now has a plan in place for the revision. Rambarran said while building the capacity

CEO of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran to facilitate revisions, the orthopedic department has indicated that they are currently offering a lot more specialised surgeries, care, and treatment at the facility that far exceeds the cost for knee and hip replacement for free. A few of such services include open heart surgery, angiograms, kidney transplants, oncology and chemotherapy which are really expensive services and procedures.

Rambarran further added, “so we decided that we will craft a way forward and we came up with a proposal and took it to the board. Following several discussions, the board has approved for us to do knee and hip replacement and revision free of cost.”

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

PAGE 09

Play the song!

Recently the government of Venezuela has upped the ante in relation to the territorial conflict it has with Guyana. The trigger for Venezuela’s actions was the decision of the government to hold auction for oil blocks in an area of Guyana to which Venezuela is laying claim.

Venezuela has taken the matter a step further by having its legislative arm authorize the holding of a referendum on the issue of this claim. Among the questions which will be asked of the Venezuelan people is whether the government should declare Essequibo a state of Venezuela and whether the

population of the Essequibo should be registered as Venezuelan citizens.

In response the government of Guyana a c c u s e d Ve n e z u e l a o f brazenly seeking the consent of the Venezuelan people to create a new Venezuelan state and to grant Venezuelan citizenship to the population of Essequibo.

The government of Guyana said that this amounts to “the annexation of Guyana’s territory, in blatant violation of the most fundamental rules of the UN Charter, the OAS Charter and general international law. Such a seizure of Guyana’s territory would constitute the international crime of

aggression.”

As is usual, whenever the territorial conflict flares up, well-intentioned individuals are eager to offer advice. The advice provided is wellintentioned and rooted in a desire to protect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, it is equally important to recognize when certain recommendations have become outdated. One suggestion, for example, is for Guyana to launch a public advocacy or public education campaign.

H o w e v e r , t h i s recommendation is irrelevant, given the deeprooted awareness and solidarity among the

Dem boys seh...

De rich nudging aside de poor It’s a tale of two vendors in GT – a place where the roadsides are more saturated with vendors than a sponge in bucket of water.

You see, there was once a time when vending was the humble profession of of those who needed it most, the real working-class hustlers. But, oh my, how the times have changed!

The rich have taken it upon themselves to cash in on the free-for-all which was allowed to develop by the authorities. They roll up to prime roadside spots early in the morning in and they set up shop. Some of them already have stationary caravans in place. It costs almost a million dollars to build one of those. Some roadside vendors do better business that some small shops.

Meanwhile, the poor vendors are catching hell.

They started off with dreams of being their own bosses. But in their quest for independence, they’ve managed to make themselves paupers.

Some of them sit in the scorching sun and drenching rain, barely making enough sales to cover the price of a sugar cake. At day’s end, they pack up shop and trudge home. Their profits, or lack thereof, would make you laugh if it weren’t so painfully ironic. They’re living on credit, and their smile is as fake as a cheap knockoff watch. These poor vendors strut about as if they’re the entrepreneurs of the year, but in reality they’re balancing on the edge of the precipice of

bankruptcy.

Now, the real business magnates aren’t far away.

They have decided to join the vending fray, too, albeit on the paved pavements of wealth. Their turnover?

Well, it’s in the tens of thousands of dollars.

They’ve swept in, jostling aside the competition as if they were clearing crumbs from their dinner table.

And you look around, and you can’t help but think: the real poor folks in Guyana have been evicted from their own vending territory. Large swathes of the pavements and roadsides have been seized by the rich, leaving no space for those who genuinely need it. The divide between the haves and the have-nots has never been starker.

Talk half. Leff half

Guyanese people regarding their territorial rights.

The Essequibo dispute has persisted for over 60 years, becoming a fundamental part of Guyanese national consciousness. The idea of implementing a public relations campaign, aimed at educating the citizens about an issue they are already well-versed in, is not only redundant but also a waste of resources.

There is hardly a Guyanese individual who is not firmly in support of their country when it comes to the territorial conflict with Venezuela. Therefore, any such campaign would likely fall on deaf ears, as it attempts to inform the Guyanese people about what they already know or convince them about a position to which they are already converted.

If the younger generation needs to be informed about the this conflict, all the government[s radio stations have to do is to play, two of three times daily, Dave Martin’s local classic, “Not a blade of grass.” No public relations campaign can top the effect of that song in stirring national patriotism. The song has become a galvanizing force in uniting our people around Guyana’s stance on the territorial conflict. Instead of investing in a public relations campaign, the government can rely on the powerful medium

of music to engage the younger generation. “Not a Blade of Grass,” a local classic

by Dave Martin, serves as an emblematic representation of Guyana’s position on the territorial conflict. By broadcasting this song on government radio stations at strategic intervals, the government can effectively convey its message and stir national patriotism.

Music has a unique ability to touch people’s hearts and minds, transcending mere information dissemination.

In this context, “Not a Blade of Grass” can be a potent tool for instilling a sense of unity and purpose in the face of territorial challenges.

Furthermore, the advice to “step up international advocacy” is another suggestion that seems out of touch with reality. Over the years, advocacy against Venezuela’s provocations has become systemic, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly issuing condemnations of Venezuela’s provocations.

The international and regional response is swift and resolute, reinforcing Guyana’s position and expressing solidarity with Guyana.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has already issued a statement condemning Venezuela’s actions as

violations of international l a w. S u c h c o l l e c t i v e responses provide a solid foundation for Guyana’s stance and discourage further aggressive actions. In the coming days, we can expect other statements from various international organizations and governments, further reinforcing support for Guyana. In this environment of well-established and systemic international and regional advocacy, the government does not need to escalate its efforts further.

The mechanisms are in place to respond to provocations promptly and effectively.

The awareness of the Essequibo dispute is ingrained in the Guyanese national identity, making a public relations campaign redundant. Moreover, the systemic advocacy against Venezuela’s provocations is well-established at the international and regional levels, eliminating the need for an escalation in this regard.(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

Kaieteur News

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S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Friday October 27,2022 2023 Monday May 02,

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

PUSHOVERS OR PATRIOTS: WHAT ARE GUYANESE? Guyanese have more oil t h a n m o s t o f e a r t h ’s inhabitants, but many of those less gifted people pity them.

Candidly, the weakness of Guyanese is a source of mocking. More oil than our ancestors dreamed about, and still more of the same hardships that they lived with, endured for generations.

I should know, for I am a son of that line or Guyanese who knew gritty and heavy circumstances. All of that can start changing today, this last Friday in October 2023.

The oil now discovered and flowing into tankers and the pockets of foreigners has to have more of an impact, more meaning, positives for the rank and file in the Guyanese population.

To begin with, not every Guyanese is going to agree with anything written here today. It should not surprise anyone, for this is history providing yet another example of how citizens betray their own brothers and sisters. It is of how citizens join with foreign enslavers to put a yoke

around the necks of their neighbors and fellows.

Those who live for the white enslaver’s favors are among the earliest sellers of themselves. Oh, they come from the top and cream of Guyanese society. They are the analysts who fix their minds and fix their interpretations and narratives to match smoothly with the white man’s story. They have no trouble betraying. They are the white-collar financial operators, the Cadillac political operators, who reduce themselves in kowtowing and crawling before the boot of greedy interlopers and ruthless predators, for the pittance of a nod of approval. Selling out is cheap in Guyana, and it has its cabals and its takers.

Those well-set Guyanese have nothing over which to protest. Well, so they fool themselves, and so they straitjacketthemselves.

For the sellers and betrayers know that one slip of the tongue or pen, and it is the white man’s doghouse for them. Right now, those who

betray their peers live in the m a s t e r ’s h o u s e ; t h e y areproud to be pushovers and participants in the plantation’s perversities.

Against their own.

No protesting for them. Not these grovelers and pushovers for a dollar, and the desire to please like welltrained dogs.

No! they cannot break ranks and be in front of Office of the President. Not when they are in home offices, political offices, public service offices, and the mental toilets that function as their offices.

Only those who harbor patriotic instincts, the most genuine of such, should be out in front of the highest office in this country.

They are the poor and thirsty, they are the weak and woe-ridden, they are the left behind made into losers by those at the top, and those who collect from them (and Exxon).Protest has always been the poor man’s last resort. Protesting is the first weapon made possible by impulses from deep in the gut of the people kept at the foot of the economic ladder.

So much oil, yet so much neediness. So much money from it, but never enough to go around fairly, equitably.

Why in this society of so much glitter, they are those who litter the streets and pavements with their weakened bodies, their forgotten presences, now inconvenient reminders of how rich this country is?

Why in this new Guyana of oil and the ravings of the world, there are those craving that fair share that assures them of three plates, with three squares, a day?

Plates with something more on them for all, plates when the clock strikes those hours that signal that it is recharging and revitalizing time.

These are the people that protest since the powerful function of such action enlightened men and women.

The foreign man and the white man with his conspiring local man say with authority (sometimes vehemence and virulence) that Guyanese have it good, never like this before.

Egyptian pharaohs used to

tell that to captive Israelites, according to Scripture. Today, the Israelis sing that same song to the corralled Palestinians, about how good things are in their refugee camps, and their pulverizing catastrophe (‘Nakba’). Yeah, protest and resistance against injustices take many forms, seek any expression that they can get.

Is this not what is happening in Guyana today with fully bald and partially bald and those with plenty of hair on head and face parroting the identical storylines of Rameses and Queen Victoria (Elizabeth II too), and President Howard Taft to the little colored children in these godawful climes?

Kipling waxed brightly about the white man’s burden, but he rather neatly left out a piece. It is about the native ones the white man recruits to beat his own with pipe and pen, with pusillanimity and profanity.

This is what makes the white man’s burden lighter, more rewarding. Divide and

conquer, nah? At the crux, it is about what reeks of compromising, corrupting, and controlling.

Those Guyanese will be anywhere but in front of the Office of the Big Cheese.

Those who have a conscience, feel the pain, know what it is to be used and discarded, they are the ones who must be standing before the Big People Office. This is bigger and greater than the provisions in a contract. It is about the kind of life that Guyanese must have.

The kind of life that they are willing to struggle for, fight for, even die for, if this is where the path of protest leads.

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

West Berbice rice farms to be irrigated until March 2024-MMA/ADA In light of soaring temperatures and water concerns of rice farmers in the West Berbice area, General Manager of the Mahaica Mahaica Abary, Agricultural Development Agency (MMA/ADA), Mahendranauth Ramjit said the area will be irrigated from this week until March 2024. This is to cater for those farmers who would be harvesting late in the season, he said, since not all farmers may harvest or finish ploughing their fields at the same time. He told this publication that some farmers are still concerned about not having enough water for their farms but he assured that with the measures being put in place by the agency, he does not foresee any issue. “We are on program and there are no changes. Irrigation starts when all farmers have tilled their land and so far, we have reports that about 80% of them are finished,” he said.

Ramjit expressed hope that by next week, the additional 20% of farms will

Rice after being harvested.

be ploughed which will be in time for the lands to be irrigated, a process which normally starts in November and runs up to February.

This year it will be no different but, those farmers who are late will be catered for, he reiterated. Ramjit told this publication about measures the organization had in place to counter the El Nino dry weather conditions which would ensure that there is enough water to adequately irrigate rice

farms under its purview.

“The water will be recycled, rotated and reused to irrigate fields, as part of the conservation mechanisms in place. Last crop, we did a lot of conservation so we have enough water to last through the entire next crop.” He said since the Hydromet Department of the Ministry of Agriculture indicated that the El Nino weather phenomenon can last as far as April 2024, the opportunity was taken to

implement various methods to save water. “Some of the mechanisms in place include water rationing, salt monitoring in the rivers, and recycling.”

He explained that recycling is a process in which water that is drained or overflows from one field can be used again to irrigate or flood another field if the need arises.

When asked about reservoir levels since it was a concern highlighted by the

Rice ready for harvest. farmers, the GM noted that, “we have adequate water to take us through the next crop.”

He further explained that this is not the first time that they agency has faced such a situation, since in 2015, there was a severe drought

which the agency managed to overcome.

West Coast Berbice farmers recently raised concerns about the water level in the canals surrounding their fields as they keep a watchful eye on the ongoing dry weather.

Friday October 27, 2023

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 12

Friday October 27, 2023

Kaieteur News

Local miners threaten legal action over Govt.'s seizure of approved claims …say Minister Bharrat indicated area only open for large-scale operations, offered them another mining plot

T

wo Guyanese small-scale miners, Milton Brandford and Ayudhia Narain, are threatening to take legal action against the Government of Guyana (GoG) due to a decision by mining authorities to seize their mining claims.

This action was taken despite their investments and the verification they received from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The miners, represented by their lawyer Siand Dhurjon, have penned a letter to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, and the GGMC, demanding the processing of their 32 claim licenses.

According to the letter dated October 12, seen by this publication, the miners have rightful possession and occupation of the 32 claims, explaining that they initiated prospecting and related work on these claims in April 2023. It was stated that they made significant investments to mobilise heavy equipment, establish camps, and sustain their labour force. These investments were made to meet the requirements for applying for the 32 claim licenses, which they did in

June 2023.

According to the letter, the GGMC conducted checks of the claim areas for the applications' validity, and the miners received notices of verification signed by GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennisson. One week after receiving these notices, the miners requested that the verifications be completed.

A meeting with the Commissioner confirmed the authorisation for verification. This verification process, conducted by GGMC Officer Steve Sharples , was extensive and completed in July 2023.

Despite the successful verification, the GGMC has not published the miners' claim licenses, and an order to remove them from the claim area was issued on July 19, 2023. Dhurjon argue that, under the law, his clients had the right to work the ground on their claims until a decision was made regarding their licenses.

According to the a t t o r n e y, h i s c l i e n t s understand that at the time there may have been some view harboured by the GGMC that the lands captured under the claims

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

Commissioner of GGMC, Newell Dennison

Attorney-at-Law, Siand Dhurjon

were issued to a third-party.

However, he underscored that the Gazette extracts provided by his clients indicated that the lands were abandoned and therefore open for allocation since 2016.

Dhurjon added, “In any event, my clients sought to take steps to ensure the issuance of the 32 claim licences.” To this end, he noted that meetings were held with Minister Vickram Bharrat, Commissioner Newell Dennison and other officers of the Government.

Sometime during early August 2023, Brandford,

Narain, joined by their advocate, Freddie Kissoon met with Minister Bharrat, Omkar Lochan of the Minister. According to the letter, during the meeting, the Minister stated that, “The President and Vice President have closed the area for all mining except only for large scale mining.”

This was because, the Minister stated, the government came to the decision that 'it did not want small-scale mining to place in the area, but that a foreign company could come in and take the entire area and mine it.'

Notably, it was stated in the letter that, “The Minister stated that they were willing to give blocks in any closed area' to my clients and further indicated that 'the claims will still be available later in future in case no one wants that area'.

My clients voiced their dissatisfaction with this position and maintained that they were entitled to the 32 claim licences. At a later m e e t i n g b e t w e e n M r.

Bharrat and Mr. Kissoon, which the minister insisted that my clients be absent from, the Minister made an offer to settle the matter with my clients by offering 'to give' my clients 'any 5 of the 32 claims and 3 blocks in any closed area'.”

Dhurjon noted that his clients later learnt of an order made by the Minister dated and published in the Gazette on August 8, 2023, which restricted prospecting or

mining within their claims.

This order essentially excluded them from mining in an area they believed they had a legitimate claim to.

In response, the miners' lawyer contends that the order is illegal and against their legitimate expectations. He demands that the 32 claim licenses be processed in favor of Brandford and Narain, the ministerial order be withdrawn, the GGMC's removal order be rescinded, and no interference with their claim properties or mining rights take place within 10 days.

Otherwise, Dhurjon said that he is prepared to initiate administrative proceedings in the Supreme Court to challenge these actions. The miners are standing firm on their rights, insisting on the recognition of their legitimate claims and investments.

US$40M wastewater treatment facility for Georgetown The government has announced plans for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Georgetown as part of efforts to address wastewater management.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal on Monday stated that the estimated cost for constructing the treatment facility is approximately US$40 million.

“Technical proposals [for the project] are being pursued,” he said while delivering remarks at the opening of the 32nd Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition being held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

Minister Croal emphasised that wastewater management is often overlooked, yet it is a crucial aspect of our environmental responsibility. He added that inefficient wastewater treatment can harm both the environment and public health. “We must invest in m o d e r n , e c o - f r i e n d l y, wastewater treatment facilities to reduce pollution, safeguard the

– Min. Croal aquatic ecosystems and recycle water where possible,” the minister underscored.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme's progress report for 2020 to 2021, nationally, 86 per cent of the population has access to at least basic sanitation.

In Guyana, the Georgetown sewage water system is one of four sewage systems in the country and the largest, serving over 9,000 connected households.

This system represents 22.8 per cent of the capital city's population and 3.6 per cent of the national population.

In recent years, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has made significant advancements in sanitation and infrastructure across various villages and hinterland regions. Guyana is benefitting from

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal the CReW+ Project, aimed at enhancing water quality and sanitation through innovative solutions and financing mechanisms. One focus is upgrading the sewage network and building a biodigester in Kwakwani, benefitting 2,500

residents and improving wastewater management.

Back in 2021, GWI has announced the piloting of a wastewater treatment plant at the Tucville sewer station. The project will allow the company, which operates and maintains the

Georgetown and Tucville sewage systems, to assess the suitability and removal efficiency of the selected treatment processes. These treatment processes are ecofriendly and allow for water, nutrient, and energy recovery.

(DPI)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

PAGE 13

Govt. partly responsible for Troy Resources's escape with $2.6B in unpaid royalties - Jagdeo

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday “accepted” that his government is partly responsible for Australian G o l d C o m p a n y, T r o y Resources' escaping with $2.6B in unpaid royalties.

“So I am accepting that we probably dropped the ball too,” Jagdeo told a Kaieteur News reporter at a Peoples Progressive Party (PPP/C) press conference held at Freedom House after it was pointed out to him that his government had failed to collect some US$1M in royalties from the company.

Jagdeo was seeking to shift most of the blame for “the great escape” by Troy Resources with Guyana's cash on the previous David

Granger-led administration.

The Vice President in res p o n s e t o a recen t Stabroek News article headlined, 'PPP/C gov't. fully to blame over unpaid Troy royalties', said that it's the coalition government that failed to collect the bulk of the $2.6B owed.

Jagdeo said that he learnt this after doing some digging and calling the General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board, Eondrene Thompson for some clarity. “So, she said to me in 2018, you had 5,639 ounces of gold in royalty that they should have paid, but did not pay.

That is equivalent to the value of US$7.2 million or a Guyana dollar value of 1.5 billion dollars. So that is the bulk of the money already made

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

there in unpaid royalties in 2018”, the Vice President noted.

He went on to mention that another $349M in royalties were not paid in 2020 followed by an additional US$1M (GYD$200M) for the year

2021.

Noting that some of the unpaid royalties were during PPP/C time in office, the Kaieteur News reporter asked, “Do you think that the criticism by some…is fair to say that government dropped the ball because while the

APNU is to take some of the blame for being negligent in allowing that to accumulate, the PPP also dragged its foot in not taking a proactive stance on the matter soon as it got into office because it did accumulate as you say to one million US”.

Despite accepting that his government did drop the ball, Jagdeo was quick to justify why it 'allowed the company to escape' with US$1M more.

According to Jagdeo it was the period 2020 to mid2021 and the country was on lock down due to Covid-19.

“But just think about that period from August 2020 to August 2021 when they stopped producing, that was the era that we were in…the last thing you were thinking about at that time might be

Troy Resources. You were just thinking about keeping people safe and getting them back to work and getting money to them like the $25,000 cash grant. We had to get that to every home, we were worried about that sort of thing, getting help to people”, Jagdeo said.

Guyana signed a gold deal with Troy Resources in 2014. They began working in 2015. Their operation lasted to close to six years with them raking in reportedly some 110,000 ounces of gold per year.

The company reportedly ended its operation in 2021 after finding that the gold market was not feasible any more. It sold out some assets and escaped with $2.6B in owed royalties to the country.

Broadcasters warned against misinformation on airwaves ...as GNBA flagged 93 infractions in first half of the year The Guyana National Broadcasting Association (GNBA) has recorded a total of 93 breaches made by local broadcasters for the period of January to July 2023. And Minister of Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy said this represent too many infractions on the local radio and television channels.

Addressing a stakeholder meeting at the Herdmanston Hotel in Queenstown Georgetown, McCoy on Wednesday said there are a lot of things that people say on the radio and television that are against the broadcast regulations. McCoy told broadcasters “We have to be very mindful that the space we operate in as broadcasters, belong to the people of Guyana and with that comes a very serious responsibility by making sure whatever we produce or whatever content is on our respective channels are designed and delivered in ways that do not affect our citizenry and do not lead to misinformation and disinformation pushing people to violence or part of hate speeches etc.”

Alluding to an instance where one broadcaster was flagged for referring to Guyana as apartheid state, the minister noted that: “there have been too frequent instances of infractions by broadcasters.

They have been flagged but they continue as though there isn't really any care and consideration for the consequences…” “There are

Minister of Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy and other members of the GNBA Board at the stakeholders things that I heard myself and those that have been flagged as very serious matters, he said urging stakeholders to be responsible on how they communicate and disseminate the information.

In her remarks, chairman of the GNBA, Attorney, Latchmie Rahamat underscored the importance of compliance with broadcasting regulations and the crucial role that broadcasters play in maintaining both local and international broadcasting standards. “In this digital age of rapid advancements in technology and increasingly interconnected global networks, it has become essential for broadcasters to adhere to regulations and uphold these standards to e n s u r e t h e i n t e g r i t y, accuracy, and accountability of their content,” she said.

Rahamat added that the broadcasting regulations are established by the regulatory bodies to safeguard the

interests of the general public and maintain a fair, unbiased, and responsible media environment. She said, “These regulations aim to strike a balance between freedom of speech and protecting individuals and societies from harmful, misleading or offensive content.”

According to Rahamat, by complying with these regulations, broadcasters contribute to the creation of an informed, engaged, and well-rounded citizenry.

Furthermore, she said adherence to broadcasting standards and regulations is vital in an increasingly globalised media landscape, which ultimately this is the bigger picture.

“By adhering to these standards, broadcasters contribute to the development of a unified global media ecosystem; where ideas can be shared, perspectives can be explored, and understanding and

A section of the broadcasters at Wednesday's meeting empathy can grow…Your role in this process cannot be understated, undervalued or neglected.”

Additionally, Rahamat said broadcasters should invest in the professional development of their staff, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complex landscape of regulatory requirements and evolving international broadcasting standards.

To achieve compliance with broadcasting regulations, the GNBA

Chairman said it is crucial for broadcasters to establish robust internal policies. “…These policies should encompass guidelines on a c c u r a c y, f a i r n e s s , impartiality, and accountability in reporting, as well as measures to prevent the spread of misinformation and hate speech.”

She said too that the collaboration between broadcasters and regulatory bodies such as the GNBA is essential in achieving compliance and maintaining

standards.

“Furthermore, broadcasters must leverage technological advancements in content verification and moderation tools to enhance their ability to monitor and control the content they produce and distribute.

These advanced tools can help identify potential breaches of regulations, assess the accuracy and objectivity of information, and prevent the dissemination of harmful or offensive content,” Rahamat added.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Friday October 27, 2023

VP Jagdeo welcomes Chevron's takeover ...says company's deep pockets will help of Exxon's partner Guyana meet peak production as fast as possible

By Kiana Wilburg Vi c e P r e s i d e n t , D r.

Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday he welcomes the recent announcement by American multinational Chevron Corporation that it will be taking over Hess Corporation, giving it access to a grand prize—Hess's 30 percent stake in the Stabroek Block.

Jagdeo noted during a press engagement yesterday that Chevron is the second largest oil producer in the USA and brings “deep pockets” to the table which can help Guyana meet peak production at the Stabroek Block as fast as possible. In the Stabroek concession, ExxonMobil is the operator and is targeting a massive oil production output of 1.2 million barrels of oil by 2027.

Since the disclosure of the merger which takes effect in the first quarter of 2024, Jagdeo said there have been several media reports highlighting Guyana as the crown-jewel of the industry and a grand prize of the Chevron-Hess deal. He said

such reports demonstrate Guyana's growing importance to major industry players that are hunting for the best barrels with the best returns. “The fact that Guyana is an attractive destination for investments is something we should all be happy about. You have seen globally, a move now by both Exxon and Chevron, the two biggest companies in the USA, to consolidate and acquire new assets because they are calculating that the global demand for fossil fuels will stay with us for a long time in the future,” the Vice President said.

While there has been an ongoing push for Guyana, and the world over, to invest heavily in renewable sources of energy like solar, Jagdeo said the reality of the day is that infrastructure to convert those resources into power cannot be done at a scale and pace that is as affordable as fossil fuels. He said this is even supported by the International Energy Agency (IEA), a leading authority on energy matters. “The IEA's

finding is that although we are moving at a fast pace to introduce renewables, the demand (for energy) is so robust now that demand for fossil fuel will remain high because the renewables cannot be introduced at the scale and pace to meet the demands…People who talk about the end of oil and (Guyana possibly being left with stranded oil assets) should look at this,” the Vice President said.

He believes this is one of the key considerations for companies like Chevron hence it has made a genius play for Hess, giving it access to the high return, low-cost barrels within the Stabroek Block. In that deepwater concession, Exxon has already unlocked 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources. It was also given the green light to execute a 35 well programme in the block in search of more oil. Jagdeo said government is pleased that Chevron, by way of its takeover of Hess, will join Exxon which operates the Stabroek Block. He said

Guyana will then be host to the two biggest oil conglomerates in the USA, both of which have deep pockets. “…they have deep pockets and they can fund the investment programmes necessary to move us to peak production at the earliest point in time. Other smaller companies that are investing in other parts of the world and other countries have to go and raise capital and the market is still not that friendly for raising that,” the Vice President said. He further noted that government has examined Chevron carefully and believe that it will be a good partner for Guyana.

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Hess Corporation, John Hess shared similar sentiments during a call with shareholders on Monday. As he shared details about the merger with Chevron, he told his investors that the Guyana Government would be very supportive of the deal. He said, “Guyana will be very

supportive of Chevron stepping into our shoes and the joint venture. It'll mean that two of the largest U.S. oil companies who are multinational companies, and investors will be in the country.

“It will strengthen the confidence in the country for foreign investment. It will strengthen the joint venture (in the Stabroek Block) technically as well. We're very confident that the country of Guyana will be supportive of this transaction.”

Chevron had said on Monday that it is buying out all the outstanding shares at Hess Corporation for US$53 billion, or US$171 per share.

During a call with its shareholders, Chevron dubbed the Stabroek Block as “an extraordinary asset with industry leading cash margins and low carbon intensity that is expected to deliver production growth into the next decade.”

As a result of this deal, Chevron said it intends to recommend an increase to its

first quarter dividend per share of 8% to US$1.63, which will be subject to the approval of the Chevron Board of Directors. It also plans to increase share repurchases by US$2.5 billion to the top end of its guidance range of US$20 billion per year in a continued upside oil price scenario. In the Stabroek Block which stretches a massive 6.6 million acres, ExxonMobil is the operator with a 45 percent working interest while China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) holds 25 percent. Since oil production commenced in December 2019 at the Stabroek Block's Liza Phase One Project, Exxon successfully started another, the Liza Phase Two, in February 2022. Both projects are producing about 400,000 barrels of oil per day. Exxon and partners are also targeting over 1.2 million barrels of oil by 2027, making Guyana's Stabroek Block, one of the world's fastest-ever oil development hotspots.

Perpetrators to be penalised for Patterson sues state for $25M setting forests fires – Ministry of Natural Resources for breach of travel rights

A Bush fire that destroyed all crops on a Berbice farm

A

s dry weather conditions persist, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) says anyone who is found to be responsible for lighting forest fires will be penalized in accordance with the law.

The ministry noted in a release that initial investigations have suggested that a majority of recent bush fires were manmade, deliberately set in some instances.

Recently, the MNR and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) noted that there has been an increase of fires in the Bissaruni Area, Upper Demerara-Berbice Region, as well as other parts of the hinterland regions.

A recent report from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) revealed that the El Nino weather phenomenon, commonly known to as the 'dry season,' is expected to continue through December 2023.

The GFS said this year, firefighters have responded to 1,511 reports of grass and garbage fires. Since the start of the ongoing dry season in July this year, the GFS has

A Bush fire that destroyed all crops on a farm in Region Nine

received 894 reports.

In addition, the GFS said that garbage and grass fires pose serious risks to businesses, homes, and the livelihoods' of citizens; they can cause damage to vegetation, including rainforest, which takes years to recover, plant and animal deaths, and erosion of creeks and wetlands.This publication has reported about several bush fires which occurred this month, two of those being in Berbice, Region Six while another was reported in Region Nine.

Former Minister of P u b l i c Wo r k s a n d Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson, is seeking $25 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental right to travel.

On the evening of Tuesday, September 26, 2023, Patterson successfully cleared Immigration and Security checks at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in preparation for his flight to the United States. However, he was prevented from departing Guyana by immigration officials.

Patterson, represented by Attorney-at- Law, Nigel Hughes, conveyed his demand for damages through a letter dated October 10 to the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC, citing the breach of his client's constitutional rights and associated losses.Despite repeated reminders from Patterson's counsel about an order from Senior Magistrate Leron Daly granting him permission to travel, immigration officials persisted in denying his

Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson

departure from Guyana.

Hughes emphasised that Patterson's trip was an official visit in his capacity as a member of the National Assembly, intending to engage with the US Black Congressional Caucus and present on Guyana.

The lawyer contended that the actions of the Chief Immigration Officer intentionally disrupted his client's official visit and presentations.

Given the gravity of this breach of Patterson's protected rights and the order of Senior Magistrate Daly,

the lawyer argued that his client is entitled to substantial damages.

Additionally, the lawyer outlined that the Chief I m m i g r a t i o n O ff i c e r ' s admission of the breach of Patterson's constitutional right under Article 148 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana further justifies vindicatory damages.

The letter conveyed a notice to the Attorney General that legal action would be pursued if a response was not received within five days.

The Alliance For Change (AFC), had strongly condemned the incident, denouncing it as an act of victimization and discrimination against their representative and elected Member of Parliament, Patterson. AFC had claimed that a senior elected Government and PPP official, operating out of the Office of the President, had ordered Patterson's travel prevention, considering it illegal and unconstitutional in a modern democratic society.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

PAGE 15

Women-led consortium wins two oil blocks from Guyana's first auction . .companies to be engaged in negotiations to complete contracts

A

consortium led b y f o u r formidable African-Guyanese women has made history by being the first set of women to secure two pivotal oil blocks in Guyana's debut auction.

The brainchild behind this pioneering achievement, Sispro Inc., is spearheaded by an incredible quartet of women - Dr. Melissa Varswyk, Abbigale LonckeWatson, Ayodele Dalgety Dean, and Dee George. They have been found eligible to be awarded a shallow water block called S3 and a deepwater block titled D2.

The foregoing announcement was made by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo during a press c o n f e r e n c e y e s t e r d a y.

Jagdeo recalled that the auction which was launched last year December had 14 blocks on offer but only eight received bids. Following a review of those bids, he said Cabinet approved several companies to be awarded various blocks.

J a g d e o s a i d

TotalEnergies EP Guyana B.V. in consortium with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas SDN BHD was approved for a shallow water block called S4.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess New Ventures Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited was approved for shallow water block –S8.

Out of Nigeria, International Group Investment Inc was found eligible for two shallow water concessions—S5 and S10.

An American and Ghanian partnership, Liberty Petroleum Corporation and Cybele Energy Limited, was approved for shallow water block—S7.

Delcorp Incorporated, a Guyanese company, in collaboration with Watad Energy and Communications Ltd and Arabian Drilling Company was approved for deepwater block titled—D1.

Now that these companies have proven to be

Blocks in red received 14 bids from six groups of companies

eligible for the blocks, Jagdeo said negotiations would be initiated to ensure companies have the wherewithal to carry out their respective exploration programmes. Such talks

would also entail ensuring that the companies are capable of paying the respective signing bonuses for their blocks set at $10M for shallow concessions and (Continued on page 22)

The leading women behind Sispro Inc.: Dr. Melissa Varswyk, Abbigale Loncke-Watson, Ayodele Dalgety Dean, and Dee George

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Friday October 27, 2023

Pink river dolphin present in the Rupununi - research reveals C

ited as a species that can form “an ecological link,” connecting Guyana to the Amazon basin, researchers are analyzing data which has so far indicated the presence of the endangered pink river dolphin in the waterways of the world-renowned, biodiversityrich Rupununi wetlands.

According to a release from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Manari Ranch, Field Museum Chicago, and local field biologists, supported by the fund, conducted the “first environmental DNA (eDNA) survey” to assess the extent of the tooted whale in southern Guyana.

The dolphin is native exclusively to South America and previously was found to be present in several countries within the continent including Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador , Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. The WWF described “the first-of-a-kind research” as a “crucial undertaking” which it noted will provide valuable insight into the behaviour and distribution of this species in Guyana.

The research began in January this year and was undertaken by a

The pink river dolphin (Photo: WWF)

Researchers, Dr. Lesley de Souza, Dr. Sophie Picq and Indranee Roopsind conducting water filtering and chemistry data collecting. (Photo: WWF)

team of experts, led by Guyanese field biologist, Indranee Roopsind, conservationist, Lissa Orella, and Rupununi locals Don Melville and Julian Orella.

According to the WWF, the team collaborated with conservation biologist, Dr. Lesley DeSouza, who is a world-leading expert on aquatic species in the

Amazon basin of the Field Museum Chicago and Dr. Sophie Picq, an expert on tropical fishes and eDNA sampling, to incorporate eDNA sampling for the project. Local community representatives from the Rupununi participated in the monitoring activities of the project with the support of the WWF, South America River Dolphins Initiative and other partner organisations.

“Through partnerships with local communities and leveraging the power of science, we can make better progress in uncovering new insights into the lives of these fascinating animals and their vital role in the delicate ecosystems of

the Rupununi region,” said Aiesha Williams, WWF-Guianas Country Manager, Guyana.

What the research team found During the research, the team observed several pods of dolphins in the waterways of the Rupununi, the release said. It noted that Environmental DNA (eDNA) samples were collected in the dry season from 20 sites, with the presence of the pink river dolphin detected at 12 sites.

The study also saw the presence of 274 other classifications of living organisms, which represents a diverse range of species in the (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

PAGE 17

GPHC conducts seven successful scoliosis surgeries The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) earlier this week successfully conducted seven scoliosis surgeries through collaborative efforts with the U S n o n - p r o f i t Wo r l d Pediatrics Project (WPP) mission and the Office of the First Lady.

This was announced

by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran on Thursday at a press conference at the hospital's Resource Centre.

Rambarran said the surgeries were performed on two males and five females between the ages of 14 and 21 years.

While giving a brief overview on how the project came about, the CEO explained that several months ago Guyanese colleagues residing in the Caribbean reached out to doctors at the GPHC and indicated their willingness of the WPP mission coming to Guyana.

The CEO stated that the GPHC is always prepared to collaborate with anyone who is willing to provide care for the people and, “then we had a couple of meetings and then we are here today.”

He noted that following the discussions, the hospital sought feedback from the p u b l i c t h r o u g h advertisements for persons diagnosed with scoliosis to come forward.

According to Rambarran, approximately 30 persons responded to the advertisement following a screening process, seven patients were selected. While expressing gratitude to the WPP, the Office of the First Lady and staff of the GPHC for the successful surgeries, the CEO noted that the initiative is only the beginning of such exercises.

He said too that the GPHC is looking to collaborate again in other specialist areas.

The WPP which has over 20 years in experience was started in 2001, and when moved to do operations within the Caribbean region, it first started in Guyana as the International Hospital for Children. The mission had a brief stint in the country carrying out dentistry and cardiology services among others.

Programme Director of WPP, Sigmund Wiggins said on Thursday that after returning to Guyana after some 20 years, the team is, “extremely happy to be a part of this initiative. We are happy that WPP could partner with GPHC in giving tertiary healthcare to children in

Guyana.”

He briefly stated that WPP offers over 35 sub-specialist health services and their main

One of the patients who underwent a successful scoliosis surgery at the GPHC, Mickella Wallcott.

goal is for each child who needs surgical intervention to be able to access same at little to no cost.

“For us as a non-profit organisation, surgical care is given free to the parents thankfully we have willing volunteers who give of their time and expertise in improving the lives and livelihoods of children, and so generally our project offers medical care to children from age 0 to 21. Twenty-one is generally our cut off time but if the child is in the system and for whatever reason they are unable to access care we will extend that to about 23(years) where care can be given to them just to improve the life and livelihoods,” he explained.

Wiggins said while the mission is grateful for the experience here in Guyana, they are looking forward to have other collaborations done in the near future.

Lead surgeon of the 10member team from WPP, Dr. Steve Hwang told media operatives that from the seven patients who were treated, they all had what he termed, “Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.”

Idiopathic Scoliosis is one of three different types of scoliosis that cause the spine to develop an abnormal curve.

He expressed hope that all the children who benefitted from surgery should get back to normal activities with no restrictions. Briefly he shared that the procedure involved, with the surgeons performing an incision to the back, “where we expose the spine and we essentially put screws and hooks at the back to fixate the spin and we use rods to straighten up the spine to where we want it. It can be very dangerous and it's a big incision where blood loss can be a concern, we had to make sure the patients were stable for several hours.”

The seven successful surgeries were done between (Continued on page 23)

CEO of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran (centre) flanked by members of the World Pediatric Project (WPP) Mission, doctors of the GPHC and two of the patients' parents at a press conference yesterday.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

Flood waters swamp Barabina Road

A motorist attempts to cross an inundated section of the Barabina Road at the town of Mabaruma this week.

…despite $130M spent on upgrade this year Despite millions spent on rehabilitation works this year, the problematic Barabina Road at the town of Mabaruma, Region One is once again impassable as flood waters have taken over low-lying sections of the roadway.

“The road is in a very bad condition. We are cut off once more,” a resident of the hill-top community of Barabina Hill told Kaieteur News on Thursday.

Over 480 residents who reside at the community are affected by the ongoing situation as they are forced to brave through the slushy roadway this week, a situation they have grown accustomed to for more than a decade.

Reports are that the Mabaruma town council upgraded the roadway earlier this year. However, recent rainfall has resulted in sections of the road being inundated. Last August, (Continued on page 23)

Friday October 27, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

Friday October 27, 2023

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Kuwaiti firm wins contract to supervise road works on Linden Highway Kuwaiti firm, Al-Habshi Engineering Consultants in joint venture with Guyanese company – CB& Associates Inc., has been awarded the contract to provide consultancy services for the Director General, Nazrul Hussain, receiving the supervision of the donation from Chinese Ambassador, Guo Haiyan reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

A c c o r d i n g t o information released on the National Procurement and Te n d e r A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Board (NPTAB) website on October 24, the agency In a significant move, the People's for comprehensive coverage across all awarded the contract to the firm to the tune of Republic of China has generously donated remaining regions.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to US$1,775,000. According to $20.7 million to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to fortify citizens against Guyana, Guo Haiyan, emphasised the N P T A B A l - H a b s h i the impending challenges of the El Niño significance of cooperation in disaster Engineering was established season.Director General of the CDC, Nazrul prevention and mitigation. Underlining in 1994 and provides Hussain during the handing over ceremony on China's commitment to support Guyana engineering consultancy Thursday, assured that communities along the during the El Niño season, Ambassador services including Design, Soesdyke Highway, particularly vulnerable to Haiyan expressed China's willingness to M a s t e r - p l a n n i n g , El Niño, will be immediate beneficiaries of deepen cooperation in disaster climate Supervision & Feasibility the donation. Essential resources, including security, prevention, and poverty alleviation. Studies further to the She noted that, “Under the framework of buildings and infrastructure water tanks, pumps, containers, dispensers, and fire extinguishers will be provided to China-Guyana, China-Caribbean, China- disciplines. CB &Associates address challenges identified during the LAC cooperation, China is willing to deepen noted that it was registered our cooperation in this disaster climate back in 2014 and is a civil CDC's drought outreach programme.

According to Hussain, “These resources security and disaster climate prevention and e n g i n e e r i n g a n d meet the needs of citizens who voiced their poverty alleviation, to ensure, to enhance, management consulting firm challenges during the CDC's drought and our friendship.” The donation signifies a offering state-of-the-art outreach programme.” The CDC's drought strengthened relationship between China and engineering design services outreach programmes have already covered Guyana, showcasing the power of a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n Regions Three, Five, Seven, Eight, and Ten, international collaboration in the face of administration to the private and government sectors. with Director General Hussain outlining plans climate-related challenges. (DPI)

China donates $20.7M to boost El Niño preparedness in Guyana

Section of the Linden – Soesdyke Highway.

The reconstruction of the highway is a project being undertaken by the Ministry o f P u b l i c Wo r k s .

Government is yet to award a contract for the reconstruction of the highway. The Kuwaiti consultant would be responsible for the design r e v i e w, c o n s t r u c t i o n supervision and general project management of the reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and contract administration throughout the project implementation process and thereafter, during the defects liability period.

Back in May this year the Government of Guyana and the Islamic Development B a n k , s i g n e d a US$200Million Framework

Agreement for the reconstruction of the highway. The project will see the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 73 kilometres of the Highway with two lanes undivided, nine bridges, six culverts with improved design, quality and standards.

The project also includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements providing essential public administration support, improved connectivity with communities, roadside and other facilities. The Soesdyke-Linden Highway is a 73 kilometres-long twolane highway that runs between Soesdyke and Linden in Guyana. The East Bank Public Road connects Soesdyke with Georgetown.

PAGE 22

Friday October 27, 2023

Kaieteur News

Women-led consortium wins two oil blocks...

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From page 15 $20M for those in deep water.

Jagdeo said this has to be paid before the contracts are signed.

While an ExxonMobil consortium has been approved for a shallow water concession, Jagdeo said government anticipates that it may not be finalized given the company’s opposition to some of the terms in the new model Pro-

From page 06 drama and the Palestine/Israel saga, apart from sickness, poverty, climate change, autocracy, terrorism, corruption, discrimination, prejudice and other negativities, it leaves a vacuum for peace and security and sounds a timely call to demand the presence, protection and pronouncement of the UN, more profusely and prominently. People, properties and places are being pulverized by bombarding weapons of war without regard for children, civilians and hospitals. Dictatorship erodes the freedom of expression and the will of people. The shortages of medicines and medical treatment remain an undisclosed priority. The causes

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featured 14 blocks but only eight received bids. Companies that will be awarded the new blocks will also have to agree to a new fiscal regime that requires the payment of a 10 percent royalty and a 10 percent corporate tax.

The cost recovery ceiling will be capped at 65 percent in a given year, while profits will be shared 50/50 between companies and the state.

and effects of climate change attributed to global warming is still being underplayed. Equitable distribution of wealth is more of a hindrance than a determinacy.

Job security and food shortages remain unresolved for crucial survival. The underworld activists and activities dominate financial stability.

Education, human rights and justice still remain unavailable or denied in many quarters.

The earth tremors not only from nature but also from the indignity of humanity.

While many leaders are seriously considering resolutions and solutions to remedy a hurt, burdened and tired situation, the UN is still tasked to continue to fight the battle

of oppression and win the war of suppression.

Armed with the flag of truce and assisted with the resources of the super powers, the United Nations is guided by the principles of their three pillars: protect, respect and remedy.

These pillars lay the foundation for: democracy to prevail by achieving international peace and security, using diplomacy and dialogue; development to propel economic and social progress; and, foster respect for human rights.

It is gratifying to hear and read the UN resident coordinator, the honorable Yesim Oruc, acknowledging that Guyana qualifies and is a supportive member, engaging

in all three deportments, thus, contributing towards the UN agenda of duties and activities.

Guyana is reminded of the famous quote, “United we stand, divided we fall.” Dave Martin’s melody of “Not a blade of grass, not one curass,” is the appropriate response to any of Venezuela’s intimidation tactics. Guyanese across the board are rejoicing with the tune, “We are all completely united.” It is refreshing to hear as a relief, that the Government and the Opposition are on the same page finally and can see eye to eye, on a 24th October.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

Pink river dolphin present in the Rupununi...

From page 16 area. According to the release, a follow-up analysis of rainy season eDNA samples are currently being conducted.

“The available data on the species, including extensive field observations, genetic analysis, and behavioral studies, will be incorporated into the comprehensive SARDI dashboard, which will serve as a central repository, complementing the data on

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a situation where we may not be able to finalize with everyone because as you heard Exxon said they are not prepared to sign the PSA as it is currently structured and we have said if their demands are extreme then we will simply not proceed with the signing in that regard,” the Vice President said.

Guyana’s maiden auction launched in December 2022

The significance of October 24...

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duction Sharing Agreement (PSA).

ExxonMobil Guyana’s Country Manager, Alistair Routledge had said that the relinquishment timelines for example are too short and could prove challenging.

The Guyana Government maintained however that the timelines would not be changed.

“We may therefore have

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the species from other range countries,” the release said.

According to the WWF, the Rupununi wetlands are critical for the survival of the surrounding communities, sustain vast ecosystems and serve as migration channels for the river dolphins moving from the Amazon to the biodiversity area during the wet seasons. The team of researchers said there is evidence which suggests that the dolphins are present in the Rupununi region throughout their lifecycle and even during the dry season.

However, the team believes that more research is needed to determine if local popula-

tions of dolphins reside in the area throughout the year.

Local knowledge Meanwhile, a survey done at the town of Lethem by the researchers, has determined that the younger generation has, “a limited understanding and connection with river dolphins.”

According to the release, this finding highlights the need for increased awareness and education among the younger generation to foster a greater appreciation and conservation of river dolphins. The WWF noted that since the 1980s, global river dolphin populations have plummeted by 73% due to a barrage of threats, including unsustainable fishing practices, hydropower dams, pollution from agriculture, industry and mining, and habitat loss.

It noted that the recent deaths of over 150 river dolphins in the Amazon’s drought-ravaged Lake Tefé show that climate change is

becoming an increasingly severe threat to their survival.

“This study of dolphins in Guyana is a significant step forward in accelerating action towards protecting declining populations of river dolphins, as it comes at a time when WWF is also working to bring about positive change with the launch of its landmark initiative, the Global Declaration for River Dolphins, today in Colombia,” the WWF said.

It noted that the declaration has been adopted by 11 Asian and South American range states from Colombia to India.

It aims to halt the decline of all river dolphin species and increase the most vulnerable populations.

The affirmation will scale up collective efforts to safeguard the remaining river dolphin species by developing and funding measures to eradicate gillnets, reduce pollution, expand research, and increase protected areas.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

Govt. to spend over $160M to rehabilitate health facilities in Region Nine

T

he Government of the works is pegged at $85M. Guyana is gearing The allocated funds will also up to spend over be spent on extension of the $160M to rehabilitate the facilities.

Back in September Sand Creek, Annai and K a r a s a b a i h o s p i t a l s i n during a visit to Region Nine, Minister of Health, Dr. Region Nine.

This was revealed during F r a n k A n t h o n y h a d the recent opening of bids by m e n t i o n e d t h a t t h e the National Procurement government is planning to and Tender Administration have the health facilities in Board (NPTAB) which t h e t h r e e v i l l a g e s b e revealed that upgrade works c o n v e r t e d i n t o d i s t r i c t for the Karasabai health hospitals.

He stated that this would facility is estimated to cost $75M, while at Sand Creek, ensure residents residing in Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Rehabilitation and extension of Annai District Hospital, North Rupununi.

these districts receive Department of Public additional health services Information (DPI) article.

The health minister had including surgery, thus eliminating the need for long also noted, “In addition to t r a v e l t o t h e L e t h e m resources that we’ve put into Regional Hospital or the the region, at Sand Creek, Georgetown Public Hospital we’re going to invest about $85 million to upgrade that Cooperation (GPHC).

“All these projects have facility so that it would have already been designed, I a theatre, a recovery room think they’re at the stage now and all the amenities that we where they’re getting the can do surgery there.”

Below are the contractors in and very soon, t h e y ’ l l s t a r t t h e companies and their bids construction,” the minister which were revealed by was quoted as saying in a NPTAB: Emergency reconstruction of Three Friends Bridge, Region 10.

Rehabilitation and extension of Karasabai District Hospital.

Parliament of Guyana Construction of two guard huts.

Rehabilitation and extension of Sand Creek District Hospital.

Ministry of Public Works Emergency reconstruction of Jumbie Bridge, Region Eight.

Supply and installation of a security camera system on Public Buildings.

Supply and installation of four electronic swing gate system.

ICT master plan to ensure digital efficiency, security – PM Phillips Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has touted the government’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Master P l a n 2 0 3 0 a s a comprehensive agenda that will ensure efficiency and security in the sector.

He was at the time speaking at the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA)’s Technology Conference at Pegasus Hotel Corporate Centre on Thursday. PM Phillips highlighted that, as digital technology continues to permeate every aspect of life, this development presents exposure to new challenges that require

comprehensive solutions. He said robust cyber security measures must be implemented to fortify Guyana’s digital landscape and ensure the safety and privacy of individuals and organisations.In this context, the ICT master plan is designed to ensure that Guyana has an efficient digital platform that encompasses every sector a n d i n d u s t r y. “ I t encompasses our security and technology sectors and covers implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes. It will address critical issues, such as cybercrime, healthcare management, education delivery and others,” the

prime minister said.

According to the prime minister, the plan also aims to identify weaknesses in digital systems and deploy progressive security technologies to enhance online safety and fortify Guyana’s cyber security.

“These initiatives are not mere promises. They are a manifestation of our commitment as a government. Our government, therefore, acknowledges the significance of ICTs in shaping a future-oriented economy and advancing national development,” he added. The government has already been demonstrating its unwavering commitment

to cyber security through its efforts to enact futuristic legislation to safeguard data privacy. These include the Data Protection Act and the Digital Identity Card Act. PM Phillips added that cybersecurity is not an isolated responsibility, but one that requires collective action to foster resilience and fortify the digital realm.

G M S A’ s t e c h n o l o g y conference is hosted in collaboration with the Private Sector Commission (PSC), and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). It provides a platform for experts to explore and share information in areas relating to cyber security. (DPI)

PAGE 23

GPHC conducts seven successful scoliosis...

From page 17 Monday and Wednesday this past week and each p r o c e d u r e t o o k approximately two to three hours.

It was noted at the press conference that upon discharge, patients would have a three month period of rehabilitation, consisting of physiotherapy, exercising and strengthening of the muscles.

They would have to do regular checkups at the hospital’s outpatient clinic to ensure they are okay.

Glenis Wallcott , who spoke to the media on the surgery conducted on her 21year-old daughter Mickella Wallcott, said that the young woman was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 16 and after noticing the curve in her back, she said her daughter would cry out for pains in her back.

This prompted the family to take her to the GPHC for treatment.

“She had the brace and they said let her do a lot of swimming. Now Mickella don’t know to swim that much so what we did, we try to cheer her up because it cut down on her mobility and she could not get to do a couple of stuff like she had wanted to do such as dancing. She love dancing but some moves she could not have done and so we would try to encourage her that some time or someday, it may get better but it worsen,” the woman shared.

The woman added that the family received a call from the GPHC and was informed of the surgery being done by WPP. The parent noted that since the surgery was successfully performed on her daughter, “we are thankful for this initiative because I am hoping that she is going to be better and get to do all that she likes.”

In an invited comment, Mickella told this publication that having had scoliosis, she was not able to walk properly and she said it prevented her from e x p e r i e n c i n g l i f e ’s adventures because she was limited to certain activities due to the pain she was enduring at the time. “To fit in socially it, had a toll on self esteem and self confidence,” she shared.

Having to go through the recovery stage, the young woman said she is looking to move around without restrictions and living a normal life again.

Another parent said her d a u g h t e r M a c y, w a s discovered with scoliosis some three years ago. After taking her to a local health centre, they were referred to the GPHC. There, the woman stated her daughter underwent therapy and utilised a back brace but she said it did not improve her condition.Soon after, the family was informed of the scoliosis surgeries being done by the WPP team at the GPHC.

Flood waters swamp Barabina...

From page 18 Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill announced that a $130M contract was signed for the rehabilitation of the road.

He said at the time that works would commence shortly after his announcement.

H o w e v e r, O p p o s i t i o n Member of Parliament, Ronald Cox noted in January this year that no works were undertaken on the roadway despite the promises of the Public Works Minister who had inspected the roadway last August when he announced the multi-million dollar upgrade.

A move to replace a wooden bridge with a concrete structure at the nearby Kumaka Junction some two decades ago was said to be the root cause of the road woes at Barabina.

At the time, water from the Barabina Creek flowed freely under the wooden

bridge and into the nearby Aruka River via connecting trenches.

The concrete bridge was built with no conduit for the water to flow and this resulted in water being backed-up and gradually swamped the lower section of the roadway near Barabina.

As such, the water eventually damaged the foundation of the roadway.

A walkway was then built for residents to walk alongside the swampy road for years. The situation was remedied late in 2018 when a contractor built the roadway adjacent to the swamp and motorists were able to drive to the community from Mabaruma after many years.

However, residents noted that heavy rainfall coupled with no maintenance has resulted in the roadway being flooded once more.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Friday October 27, 2023

Israel’s war in Gaza could spread beyond Middle East: Russia’s Putin - Russia’s leader says unnamed forces are seeking to provoke an escalation, drawing as many other countries as possible.

(ALJAZEERA) Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has warned that Israel’s war in Gaza could spread well beyond the Middle East, saying it was wrong that innocent women, children and old people in the Palestinian enclave are being punished for other people’s crimes.

“Our task today, our main task, is to stop the bloodshed and violence,” Putin said at a Kremlin meeting with Russian religious leaders of different f a i t h s o n We d n e s d a y, according to a Kremlin transcript. The Russian president, who has been leading an all-out war in neighbouring Ukraine since February last year, said he told other world leaders in phone calls that if Israel’s military campaign in Gaza did not stop, there was a risk of a much wider conflagration.

“Further escalation of the crisis is fraught with grave and extremely dangerous and destructive consequences. And not only for the Middle East region. It could spill over far beyond the borders of the Middle East,” he added. In remarks that criticised the West, he said certain unnamed forces were seeking to provoke further escalation and to draw as many other countries and peoples into the conflict as possible. The aim, he said, was to “launch a real wave of chaos and mutual hatred not only in the Middle East but also far beyond its borders.

For this purpose, among other things, they are trying to play on the national and religious feelings of millions of people.”

CEASEFIRE O n T h u r s d a y, t h e Kremlin said efforts to agree on a “balanced” United Nations Security Council

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of ‘grave’ consequences if the Israel-Palestine conflict escalates [Pavel Bednyakov/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP] resolution on the IsraelHamas conflict should continue. This a day after Russia and China vetoed a United States-drafted resolution that called for a “humanitarian pause” to allow aid access, the protection of civilians and a stop to arming Hamas, the group that rules Gaza, and other armed groups in the enclave.

Diplomats have noted that a humanitarian pause is

not the same as a ceasefire, which has been backed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. A pause might last only a matter of hours. Russia made a rival UN proposal that advocated a wider ceasefire – an option it says is “much more balanced” – but the proposal failed to win the minimum number of votes. “We need to call for a ceasefire and we cannot condemn the actions of only one side,” Kremlin

spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

“The resolution should be balanced and diplomatic efforts should be continued here.” Israel has resisted both a ceasefire and a humanitarian pause.

O v e r n i g h t o n Wednesday, the Israeli army launched a targeted ground raid into Gaza as part of “preparations for the next stages of combat”, which is widely expected to be a fullscale ground assault. Israeli air raids on Gaza have already killed more than 6,500 people in nearly three weeks, since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel which killed at least 1,400 people in Israel.

‘CRIMES COMMITTED

BY OTHERS’ On Wednesday, Putin conveyed his condolences to the families of Israelis and citizens of other countries

who were killed or wounded

by Hamas. He said Moscow continued to advocate for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue, something he said was the only way to reach a longterm settlement.

He made it clear though that he thought Israel was wrong to keep bombing Gaza in retaliation for the attack on Israeli citizens by Hamas. “It is also clear to us that innocent people should not be held responsible for crimes committed by others,” said Putin.

“The fight against terrorism cannot be conducted according to the notorious principle of collective responsibility when old people, women, children, entire families and hundreds of thousands of people are left without s h e l t e r, f o o d , w a t e r, electricity and medical care.”

UN agencies reduce Gaza aid operations as fuel runs out Some 1.4 million people have fled their homes across the Gaza Strip, with 600,000 sheltering in UN facilities

Hospitals are struggling to keep incubators for 130 premature babies running because of the fuel shortage (BBC NEWS) UN aid agencies say they have begun to significantly reduce their operations in the Gaza Strip because they have almost exhausted their fuel reserves.

Small quantities of fuel retrieved from existing reserves are being used to maintain the water supply in the south, where hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering from Israeli strikes.

However, they will run out on Thursday. The agencies say they have reduced their support for overwhelmed hospitals and bakeries feeding the displaced. “What we are seeing in the Gaza Strip is unprecedented,” Juliette Touma of the UN agency for

Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, told the BBC. “Two million people are being strangled.

Gaza is being choked with very, very little assistance that is coming from outside.”

Israel began its bombing campaign in Gaza, cut off electricity and most water, and stopped imports of food, fuel and other goods in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Hamas on 7 October, in which at least 1,400 people were killed and 224 taken hostage. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says 7,000 people have been killed in the territory since then and that its health system is facing total collapse, with a third of hospitals not functioning and the rest only treating emergency cases. At least 74 lorries carrying food, water

and medical supplies have crossed from Egypt via the Rafah border crossing since Saturday, which Ms Touma called “a drop in the ocean of overwhelming needs”.

About 500 lorries were allowed into Gaza every day before the start of the war.

Israel refuses to allow deliveries of fuel because it says it could be used for military purposes by Hamas, which it classes as a terrorist organisation - as do the UK, US and other powers.

But Ms Touma said Unrwa urgently needed fuel if it was to continue to serve as a lifeline for the 629,000 displaced people taking refuge inside its facilities.

Most fled homes in the north of Gaza after being told by the Israeli military to leave for their own safety. “We’re

the largest humanitarian organisation and we are on the verge of stopping operations. We are being banned from undertaking the mandate that was entrusted to us by the UN General Assembly. All we’re asking to do is to be able to do our work,” she added.

Dr Abdelkader Hammad, a surgeon at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in the UK who arrived in Gaza to carry out transplants the day before the war began, is sheltering at a UN facility in the southern city of Rafah. “The situation on the ground is deteriorating day by day,” he told the BBC. “People are fighting for the water, for the food, because of the shortages.

Whatever they have in the

stores is running out now.

People are queuing for hours and hours to get some bread from the bakeries which are still working.”

He also expressed alarm about the conditions at the hospitals where he usually performs operations, saying that his colleagues working at them were describing a “medical disaster”. “Theatres are full of wounded people.

They have to make very difficult decisions about who they treat because they cannot cope with the sheer number of [wounded] people coming,” he said. “They are running out of medical equipment.

The fuel is running out.”

But he advised Unrwa to ask Hamas to hand over some of the hundreds of thousands of litres of fuel that the military

claims is being stored in a dozen tanks near the border with Egypt. “There is enough for many days for hospitals and water pumps to run,” he added. “Only the priorities are different.

Hamas prefers to have all of the fuel for its war-fighting capabilities, leaving civilians without it.”

Asked to comment on the allegation, the UN’s regional humanitarian chief, Lynn Hastings, told the BBC: “We don’t have any information about other fuel being available for Hamas to access.”

“I know that is a concern of the Israelis, and quite rightly. It is something that we are trying to address with the Israelis to be able to bring in enough fuel for the humanitarian operations.”

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

PAGE 25

Chancellor to decide whether special court necessary for elections fraud cases

T

he magistrate court is awaiting the guidance of Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings in relation to the allocation of a specialised court for the 2020 electoral fraud cases.

Following an investigation into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections and the events that followed, several former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials and others were criminally charged for allegedly attempting to rig the elections.

Over 20 electoral fraud-related charges were brought against former GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, Clairmont Mingo, Opposition members, Volda Lawrence, and Smith-Joseph. Also, GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise BobbCummings and Michelle Miller, are also before the court facing electoral fraud charges.

Scheduled for December 12, Special Prosecutor, Darshan Ramdhani, QC, is expected to provide an update to Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly, who is

Special Prosecutor, Darshan Ramdhani, QC presiding over the cases at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, following the Chancellor's guidance.

In a previous hearing, Ramdhani had made a proposal for consolidating all the charges into one unified case, citing the common origin of evidence.

However, Senior Magistrate Daly, already juggling a significant caseload, expressed reservations about the potential burden this would place on the court. To address this concern, the prosecutor offered to correspond with the Chancellor, opening a dialogue to explore solutions and the appointment of a dedicated

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings

magistrate to oversee the cases.

On Wednesday's hearing, Ramdhani was expected to present the court with the Chancellor's guidance. However, he relayed to the court that the Chancellor's communication had been dispatched, and they are awaiting a response. Importantly, he noted that the state is fully prepared to proceed in whichever direction the case takes.

For her part, Senior Magistrate Daly emphasised the necessity of organising the extensive evidence properly to ensure a just and efficient trial process. Ramdhani, demonstrating his commitment to

facilitating this, assured the court of his willingness to assist. In the midst of these legal maneuvers, the defendants' attorney, Nigel Hughes, raised concerns and contested the Chancellor's jurisdiction to intervene at this stage.

Amidst accusations that the state was stalling the case, Ramdhani emphasised the prosecution's readiness to commence their case, underlining the urgency of resolving this matter.

The state's legal teams is led by Ramdhani and comprises of attorneys-at-law Glen Hanoman, Arudranauth Gossai, Ganesh Hira,

M ar k C o n w ay an d G eo rg e Thomas; while Attorneys-at-law Hughes, Ronald Daniels, Eusi Anderson, and Konyo Sandiford are representing the defendants.

According to reports, the state's case alleged that Lawrence, SmithJoseph, February, Livan, BobbCummings and Miller between March 2 and August 2, 2020, at Georgetown, conspired with former Chief Elections Officer Lowenfield and Mingo to defraud the electors of Guyana by declaring a false account of votes cast in the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

Miller was slapped with a separate charge which allege that between March 3 and 5, 2020, at the GECOM Command Centre at Ashmin's building on High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, she conspired with others to defraud the people of Guyana by not using the figures from the Statements of Poll (SOP) for the purpose of ascertaining the figures to make the declaration of the results for the said District Four, thereby resulting in a false declaration being made for the said district.

Notably, there are other individual charges against some of the defendants.

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

Volodímir Zelenski

Friday October 27, 2023

Sri Lanka heap more World Cup misery on England with big win BENGALURU, (Reuters) - Sri Lanka breathed life into their World Cup campaign and left England in increasing danger of missing out on a semi-final spot after crushing the defending champions by eight wickets in a low-scoring match yesterday.

Chasing a modest 157 for only their second win, Sri Lanka overcame the loss of two early wickets before Pathum Nissanka (77 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65 not out) got them across the finish line in 25.4 overs.

The pair played with plenty of patience in their 137-

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

run partnership for the third wicket after an initial burst by David Willey (2-30) to ensure England suffered a third straight World Cup defeat for the first time since 2015.

The win lifted Sri Lanka to fifth in the table while England are ninth, ahead of only the Netherlands.

Sri Lanka earlier restricted England to a below-par 156 all out in 33.2 overs in the mustwin clash between the tournament’s stragglers, with only Ben Stokes offering some resistance in an otherwise dismal batting display.

Stokes (43) took the attack

to Sri Lanka on a dry wicket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after England’s middleorder collapsed in the face of some incisive bowling, but he holed out to Dushan Hemantha in the deep off Lahiru Kumara (3-35) in the 31st over.

“I’m very happy with my performance, I’ve worked really hard for it,” said man of the match Kumara, before heaping praise on returning veteran Angelo Mathews for his impact.

“Angelo has a lot of experience, he helped me a lot at mid-off. It was really great to

Friday October 26, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Share your skills today, Aries. You will find that as you engage in the role of teacher, you learn more than if you just hold onto your knowledge without sharing it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Just because your emotions are reserved or somber today doesn't mean you shouldn't share them with others, Libra. Work through difficulties.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Don't underestimate the power of other people today, Taurus. They may seem flighty and scatterbrained on the outside, but underneath you will find that they have a great deal of wisdom to share.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may need to jump to many different people and situations today, Scorpio, yet something is holding you back. Listen to this inner voice that's asking you to be conservative at this time. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) ou feel like you have a stone strapped to your back, Sagittarius. The farther you walk with this load, the slower you go, and the more hunched over you will be by the time you reach your destination.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Remember that there's a benevolent force out there that loves you, Gemini. No matter what, there's always a shoulder to cry on, even if it isn't a tangible one. Even in your darkest moments.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't hesitate to say the obvious today, Cancer, even if it sounds corny. Many times people hesitate to say what they really feel because they think it's obvious to everyone.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Look to older figures for advice today, Leo. Seek counsel with a parent or grandparent on issues you feel strongly about. Relationships with older people are likely to go especially well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Consider composing a bit of poetry today, Virgo. Use this as an exercise to condense your ocean of emotions into a very few words.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It Feel free to break ties with certain people now, Capricorn. You may be overextending your emotional bank account by investing too much of yourself in others' lives.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Less is more should be your motto for today, Aquarius.

The more you cut back in certain areas of your life, the more room you open up to bring in new and exciting things.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may be asked to slow down today, Pisces.

Whether this comes in the form of a speeding ticket or a scrape on the knee when you trip.

have him back.

England enjoyed an early slice of luck after Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat as Jonny Bairstow (30) survived an lbw chance when Sri Lanka failed to review, but he did not build on his breezy start and gifted his wicket to Kasun Rajitha (2-36).

Sri Lanka had put the brakes on England’s scoring following the powerplay as Mathews (2-14) first got rid of opening batsman Dawid Malan (28) and then helped run out Joe Root before Kumara struck twice to leave the holders in tatters at 85-5.

Mathews, called in to play in his fourth World Cup as an injury replacement for Matheesha Pathirana, snared Moeen Ali in his second spell while Chris Woakes fell to Rajitha after a low diving catch by Samarawickrama.

“The plan was to hit the middle overs with discipline, we stuck to it and were rewarded with wickets,” Kumara said.

Sri Lanka, who came into the contest with the same record as England three losses in four matches - then ripped through the tail to ensure the lowest all-out total in Bengaluru and lay the platform for a comprehensive victory.

“It’s been an incredibly tough and incredibly disappointing tournament,” said Buttler.

“Disappointed in myself and all the boys that we haven’t shown a good account of ourselves. There’s no clear answer at the moment. Can’t really fault the boys’ efforts, but we’re playing a long way short of our best.”

Scores: Sri Lanka 160 for 2 (Nissanka 77*, Samarawickrama 65*) beat England 156 (Stokes 43, Kumara 3-35) by eight wickets.

Sasha Shariff to represent Guyana...

From page 29 talent on an international stage. We hope that events like this will inspire more women and girls in Guyana to take up chess and follow their passion.”

The GCF is the governing body for chess in Guyana.

Committed to promoting chess at all levels and fostering the growth of the game, the GCF organizes various tournaments, events, and training to encourage and develop local chess talent

Rashada Williams’ 71 leads the charge in Windies Women A’s three-wicket victory over Pakistan to ODI level series SportsMax - Rashada Williams scored a matchhigh 71 to lead the West Indies Women ‘A’ to a three-wicket victory over Pakistan in Lahore yesterday. Chasing 189 for victory after Pakistan Women ‘A’ had scored 188-9 from their 50 overs, West Indies Women achieved the target with a ball to spare.

The tourists won the toss and put the hosts into bat. Pakistan achieved their score on the back of 50 by Sidra Nawaz and scores of 32 and 25 by Shawaal Zulfiqar and Eyman Fatima,

respectively.

Ashmini Munisar’s offspin proved instrumental for the West Indies taking 3-21 from her 10-over allotment with Qiana Joseph proving a worthwhile back-up with 2-30. Williams got her 71 from 94 balls for the West Indies with Shabika Gajnabi scoring 25 and Zaida James weighing in with a patient 23 from 57 balls to help steer the tourists to victory and levelling the series at a game apiece.

Left-arm spin bowler Anosha Nasir took 3-36 in a valiant effort for Pakistan.

Namilco Thunderbolt Flour...

From page 31 supplies at the cost of over three hundred thousand dollars.

The teams are currently preparing to host a massive outreach programme with overseas doctors and nurses along with the club 34th annual Christmas charity programme and Christmas Village.

Foster on behalf of the team committed to continue representing the NAMILCO brand with pride, discipline and dedication.

Managing Director Bert Sukhai in brief remarks stated that his company was very pleased to be associated with the cricket teams and was very satisfied with its investment. He noted that his company receives regular progress reports and public relations benefits. He congratulated the players on a job well done and wished them all the best in the future.

NAMILCO apart from the cricket sponsorship also supports other programmes of the club.

Friday October 27, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

11-Time Golf Champ Avinash Persaud disappointed by not possibly defending title this year Avinash-Persaud -44

A

vinash Persaud is one of the most recognized and accomplished golfers in

Guyana’s history, having amassed an astounding record of 11 Guyana Open Men’s titles in thirteen years.

He has faced top talent from all over the world and been able to best them all but without a chance to defend

his title, that record cannot be extended.

According to Persaud, “I play for national pride and my country to ensure that the title stays at home and now to find out that there’s no longer a G u y a n a O p e n Championship for me to defend my crown, especially in a year where I lost my stepdad and wanted to win this one for him is twice as hard.

“It was great to have GTT sponsor last year’s Guyana Open tournament and I was confident that I would take the Title again but now I found out that this year GTT is not sponsoring the Guyana Open but only a regular Invitational tournament.”

Asked if he would be teeing it up later this month Persaud responded, “Every country hosts an Open tournament to attract the best players around and that is what makes the championship so valuable- a regular Invitational tournament is not even worth the effort in my opinion.”

The much anticipated

tournament in October is usually billed as the Guyana Open but is now limited to a lower number of invited players and only if an invitation is only by the club executives, then a person can

register to play.

This is the first year, with only interruption b y Covid-19, that a G u y a n a O p e n Championship is not being played.

61st National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships launched

T

he 61st edition of the National S c h o o l s ’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships was yesterday afternoon launched at the National Track and Field Centre, L e o n o r a , We s t C o a s t Demerara.

The event is being hosted by the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union from November 26, 2023, to December 1, 2023.

Delivering brief remarks, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Tech), Dr. Ritesh Tularam stated that the Ministry of Education has prioritised sports development in the education system. He

explained that sports form part of the ministry’s agenda to produce well-rounded students.

Providing an overview of the upcoming event, Second Vice President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Mr Julian Cambridge stated that over the course of six days, the nation’s best studentathletes and teachers from the 15 districts will compete for medals and bragging rights in swimming at the National Aquatic Centre, cycling at the National Park and athletics at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

On Monday, November 27, 2023, the National Park and the National Aquatic Centre will be packed with

cyclists and swimmers as they compete while all roads will lead to the National Track and Field Center from November 28, 2023, to December 1, 2023, for the athletics leg of the championships.

During the launch, the audience was treated to a physical display performance by the North Georgetown Secondary School and a steelpan interlude by students from t h e We s t D e m e r a r a Secondary School. This year, the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships is sponsored by Banks DIH limited, Digicel Guyana, Massy Guyana and Impressions Inc.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

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Bumper to Bumper services partners with Maraj for ENET Clash of Champions Local automotive company and paint distributers Bumper To Bumper Services has teamed up with Starlet Cup and Group three competitor Nyron Maraj ahead of next weekend’s ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions race meet.

Maraj, who is in the running for the B.M. SOAT Sponsored Starlet Cup trophy will now carry the company’s brand as well as their U-Pol Raptor Guard finish aboard his number 868 Toyota Starlet.

At a brief handing over ceremony earlier in the week, General Manager Bobby David Katwaroo explained that the company has always been involved in motorsport through one avenue or the other.

“We have always been involved in motorsport. This time around we decided to go with one of the guys who we know uses our brand of products and we think from a marketing standpoint, the race applications of our products will show themselves.

He also explained why they chose to go under the U-

Shenell Ornella Rodrigues- Bumper To Bumper ServicesAssociate hands over the sponsorship cheque to Nyron Maraj.

Pol raptor guard brand.

“The Raptor Guard, which is a product of U-Pol has many applications which may require an abrasive surface like the wheel wells of cars and others and we think that this is a great place to show its quality.”

Maraj in his invited comment, said, “Bumper to Bumper Services has been an integral part in the development of the car. This deal is a twofold deal that will encompass both financial and material services.”

So what that means is that in addition to help offsetting the expenses for this event, they are also giving to the team materials

to help prepare the car, one of which is the U-Pol Raptor Guard.”

Apart from their U-Pol brand, the company also distributes PPG Global, Maxmeyer, and Lechler through their 30 Anira Street, Queenstown Location.

Set for November 4 and 5 at the South Dakota Circuit, the ENET Clash of Champions will feature several groups of racing with the BM Soat Starlet cup attracting huge fan support over the last year.

Maraj, whose car is also sponsored by Team Trini Autoworks, Nedds Bakery, I-Sun Health Conscious

Sasha Shariff to represent Guyana in Women’s Chess Championship in Puerto Rico The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is delighted to announce that it has sent 20 year old Sasha Shariff to participate in the Wo m e n ’s C h e s s Championship in Puerto Rico. This momentous event underscores the commitment of the GCF to promoting and s u p p o r t i n g w o m e n ’s participation in the world of chess.

The ongoing tournament is a collaboration between the Chess Confederation for America (CCA) and the Puerto Rico Chess Federation (FAPR) running from October 24th through November 1st, in the city of Carolina, Puerto Rico, and will bring together some of the finest female chess players from around the Americas and the Caribbean.

The event will take place at the Verdanza Hotel in the tourist area of Isla Verde. The

Chess star, Sasha Shariff GCF representative, who participated in last year’s Olympiad in Chennai and who earned herself a Conditional Women’s title, will play in the 9-round Swiss system over the coming days with games starting at 11 am and 5 pm daily.

Shariff, the holder of the Women’s Championship title in 2020 and who placed second in the Women’s

Championships in 2022 and 2023, took the place of current Women’s National Champion, Jessica Callender, who was unable to meet the criteria for the travel requirements to Puerto Rico.

The Guyana Chess Federation is proud to provide support for Sasha Shariff in her pursuit of growth and excellence. The Federation believes that encouraging and empowering women in chess is essential to the growth and development of the sport in Guyana.

Anand Raghunauth, President of the GCF, stated, “We are extremely proud of the development of the women and girls in chess over the past years.

Tournaments such as this provide a platform for women to showcase their (Continued on page 27)

Foods, Asif Trucking, MACs Tire service and Auto Sales and Sonrize Engineering,

sits third in the championship on 74 points, 26 behind second place

Steven Nobrega and a further 18 points behind leader Anand Ramchand.

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 27, 2023

Youth teams participate in Police Inter-Youth Group Football Competitions on East Coast The winning Golden Grove U17 team receive the winning trophy.

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number of Youth Groups on the East Coast of Demerara attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Saturday last participated in two football competitions.

The competitions, which were organised by the GPF Regional Division 4C (East Coast), were for U17 and U15 teams. It was played at the Buxton Community Center Ground for the Commander’s Cup. The teams that competed were from Beterverwagting, Buxton, Melanie, Enmore, Golden Grove, Cove and John, Cane Grove, Ann’s Grove, and Mahaica.

The U17 competition saw defending champions Golden Grove Future Vision Football retaining their crown by securing a 1-0 v i c t o r y o v e r Beterverwagting Empowerment Youth Group.

Earlier in the opening encounter defending champions Golden Grove Future Vision Police Youth Group whipped Melanie Youth Group 5 -0 to get things rolling.

The next game went down to the wire with Beterverwagting squeezing past Buxton Achievers Youth Group on penalty kicks.

In another game Ann’s Grove United drubbed Regional Division 4C Scouts Group 8-0.

The semi-final between Ann’s Grove United Police Yo u t h G r o u p a n d Beterverwagting E m p o w e r m e n t Yo u t h Group was an enthralling encounter which was decided on sudden death penalty kicks after full, extra time and regular penalty kicks fail to produce a result.

At the end of the allotted time, the score was 0-0. It was the Beterverwagting lads that held their nerves to emerge victorious and faced defending Champions, Golden Grove Future Vision Police Youth Group.

The ‘Under 15’ competition was won by the team from Melanie as they defeated Buxton Achievers Youth Group in the final.

At the end of the competition trophies and medals were presented to the

winning and second placed teams as well as the Most Valuable Players.

Golden Grove received accolades for placing first in the U17 division. Second placed rewards were p r e s e n t e d t o Beterverwagting. Brian Wharton was adjudged the MVP. In the U15 division, Melanie Youth Group was first and Buxton Achievers Youth Group took second place and was rewarded.

Deshawn Williams was the MVP. The activity was graced by the presence of Divisional C o m m a n d e r, A s s i s t a n t Commissioner Khali Pareshram and Deputy Commander Deputy Superintendent Jermaine Dufu among other senior officers.

They assisted in presenting trophies, medals and other accolades to the outstanding performers.

Footballs were donated to each team that participated in the competition while uniforms were presented to the U17 finalists.

The commander and his team would like to express thanks to Rockaway Group of Companies from USA for supporting the activity and making it a success. (Samuel Whyte)

Donors and organisers and silverware before the start of the tournament.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

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Namilco Thunderbolt Flour renews cricket sponsorship of RHTYSC First Division and Under 21 teams The highly successful relationship between the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS and the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) was renewed for another year on Monday during a simple presentation ceremony at the company’s Agricola Village Head Office, East Bank Demerara. The renewal for another year was signed by NAMILCO Managing Director Bert Sukhai and R H T Y S C , M S Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in the presence of the company marketing coordinator Alicia Anderson.

Foster, who is also the President of the active Berbice Cricket Board, stated that NAMILCO has been the official sponsor of the club’s under21 and first division teams since late 2019 and the teams were very delighted that the relationship was renewed.

The RHTYSC Secretary noted that the teams were very proud to represent the NAMILCO brand on and off the cricket field as the company was a true friend to

them and their club.

The Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour team has been the most dominant first team in Berbice recently and has won several tournaments while producing numerous national players at all levels for Guyana. Last year the RHTYSC produced a combined twenty two players for Guyana, while another fifteen members played for the country in 2023. They include Razam Kobeer, Sohail Mohamed, Ta m e s h w a r D e o c h a n d , Matthew Pottaya, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia, Rafeal Mckenzie, Plaffina Millington, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneeta Grimmond, Shakabi Gajnabi, Junior Sinclair, Kelvon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Kelvon Anderson and Clinton Pestano.

Campbelle was named the vice captain of the West Indies female team while Rampersaud and Pottaya served as vice captain of the national under19 and under17 teams respectively.

Junior Sinclair was named as the best emerging player of the 2023 Caribbean Premier League. Rampersaud and Pottaya were the leading bowler for Guyana at the junior level while Sandia also performed well with the ball.

Kevin Sinclair was named the leading all rounder in the CWI four day regional tournament and also represented the West Indies at the 20/20 and ODI level while was called up at the test level as well. Kelvon Anderson also scored his maiden first class century - a brilliant 153. Foster also proudly announced that the RHTYSC also produced a total of six players for this year’s CPL and have a total of three players on the Guyana Cricket Board contracted players list. The RHT Namilco first division team under the leadership of acting captain Clinton Pestano on Saturday last reached the finals of the BCB 2023 Ivan Madray 20/20 tournament. The captain Kelvon Anderson and Kevin Sinclair are currently with

Randolph ‘Duckie’ Singh Memorial Cycle meet pedals off tomorrow

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n honour of the enduring legacy of Randolph ‘Duckie’ Singh, a revered figure in local cycling, the second Annual Memorial Meet is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, October 28th. The exciting race is set to commence at 1:30 PM and will kick off at J.B. Singh Road, opposite the GDF compound.

This commemorative event is meticulously o r g a n i s e d b y Vi c t o r Rutherford, a former national cyclist, and founder of the Flying Star Cycle Club. Anticipated to be a riveting display of highintensity racing, the event welcomes participants from various categories including; Senior, Junior, Veterans Under-50 and Veterans Over-50, as well as Pre-juniors and Ladies divisions.

In a recent development that has stirred up further excitement, the Flying Stars

Defending champion, Jamual John Cycle Club has confirmed the participation of James Joelyn Joseph, the World Masters Sprint Champion, in this weekend’s Randolph ‘Duckie’ Singh memorial cycle event. This development particularly amplifies the anticipation surrounding the Veteran category.

Rutherford, the event’s organizer, expressed, “Mr. Joseph reached out to me, expressing his availability for this year’s event, after scheduling conflicts prevented his participation last year.” This development

serves as a testament to the event’s growing prominence.

Notably, James Joelyn J o s e p h a n d Vi c t o r Rutherford share a longstanding relationship that traces back to their roots in Linden, which further extended into their involvement with Guymine and also at the National team. Rutherford remarked, “I am genuinely delighted, as Joseph possesses a wealth of knowledge that can be invaluable to the younger cyclists. There’s much to be learned from him.”

Among the overseas cyclists expected to grace the event in Guyana is the former national champion, Bruce Camacho, who currently resides in Canada.

Additionally, a multitude of foreign cyclists are converging on Guyana for the Kaieteur Fireworks Meet, enhancing the international appeal of this cycling extravaganza.

the Guyana one day team in Trinidad for the Cricket West Indies 50 overs tournament.

Foster also disclosed that the teams were successful in completing over sixty self development programmes under the sponsorship. They include annual cricket academy, Grade six summer camps, Tribute to Medical Workers, Tribute to Town Council Workers, Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, Walter Nero Tribute to Fathers, Jessica Sandia Tribute to Mothers, Annual Magazine and restoration

NAMILCO Managing Director Bert Sukhai hands over sponsorship to RHTYSC Secretary /CEO Hilbert Foster. work at the Area H ground among others.

The teams also made numerous donations to churches, schools and public hospitals. The Therapy Unit

of the Port Mourant Hospital also benefited from a major donation of exercise equipment, office supplies, medical items and cleaning (Continued on page 27)

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Friday October 27, 2023

FIFA Referee Development Officer Javier Santos commends 26 RAP graduates for showing unwavering commitment throughout intense training programme

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I FA R e f e r e e Development O ff i c e r J a v i e r Santos on Monday said he was pleased with the committed and active involvement demonstrated by the 26 graduates of the FIFA Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP) which was held between October 19 and 23 in Georgetown.

The group, including a FIFA referee, FIFA assistant referees and assistant referees, received their certificates during a simple October 23 ceremony at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Plantation Lilliendaal in Georgetown.

Santos congratulated the group, including seven women, and acknowledged the remarkable progress of the local referee programme since his first visit in 2019.

“I am very happy with the participation of this group. Since our first visit in 2019 we have seen many new faces and more people interested to be a part of the refereeing family. It’s nice to see women here, more women. All of them (are) very committed.”

He also commended the GFF Refereeing Department for, “keeping the instructors updated so we have seen a big change.”

The five-day theoretical and practical internationallyrecognised training programme was led by S a n t o s , F I FA r e f e r e e instructors Rohan Thobourne, Dianne FerreiraJames, Shane Butler and

FIFA Referee Development Officer Javier Santos makes a point to the participants.

Concacaf Referee Manager Dave Miekle.

The graduates hailed from Berbice, Linden, Georgetown, and Kamarang.

Since its inception in 2008, RAP has played a pivotal role in improving the standard of refereeing in the region by providing education and support.

GFF President Wayne Forde in his congratulatory message stressed that the growth of the game relies on the continuous improvement and training of referees, and that workshops such as RAP complement the efforts of our local referee instructors.

“The energy throughout the past couple of days has been pretty positive. The game cannot grow without the referees’ growing. The

referees are the one that have a positive and direct impact on how the game is played, on how the game is managed, the quality of the game so the Federation is really happy to work with FIFA to organise these programmes annually which complements the work that is being done by our local referee instructors.”

FIFA referee instructor Ferreira-James shared that she was pleased to see seven enthusiastic female participants who exhibited an overwhelming desire to enhance their skills and ascend to higher levels in officiating. “ We s a w s o m u c h potential. What is exciting for us is the fact that we have seen seven females at this

course. I’ve been to many other courses where we probably only have one to zero, other courses we might find one or two, three maybe but in this course we have seven, and not just seven ladies, but seven ladies who have great potential. They’re young, they’re energetic, they’re very intelligent.” “ We s a w s o m u c h passion from the ladies.

They want to improve themselves and want to get to the next level.”

She also urged the graduating group to “continue what we’ve started here…continue to be committed, continue to be dedicated.”

Referees were assessed on game knowledge and received training on the

interpretation and application of football laws.

Instructors used the FIFA Referee Education and Development (RED) platform to enhance the learning experience for participants. RED was launched in December 2019 with the aim of providing a comprehensive online learning ecosystem for referees worldwide.

FIFA Referee Shavin Greene who recently officiated the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup said the “course was a very informative course. We learnt a lot throughout the couple days, more on fitness, more on the new law changes that FIFA would have put out. It’s always good to stay updated with those

changes.”

“The technical sessions that we had on the field were also very excellent. We were able to work on our craft because this is what we do, creating angles, making the correct decisions. It was a pretty good course overall,” he added.

Assistant referee Alliyah Antigua said the workshop “was really a great experience” and promised to keep “training, practice to get better, to go higher in this and not just settle.”

Safiya Goulding, who also graduated as an assistant referee, shared that she made changes in her life “because I actually saw the benefit in refereeing. It was a good programme.”

The graduating class thanked the visiting officials for sharing their knowledge, and the GFF, especially Refereeing Project Officer Lenval Peart, for organising the workshop.

Graduates were FIFA referee Shavin Greene; FIFA assistant referees Kleon Lindey, Denisha Isaacs, Clenton Daniel; referees Colin Abel, Gladwyn Johnson, Colin Bowry, Micah Erskine, Kenisha Prescott, Dwayne McKinnon, and assistant referees Brandon Cyrus, Mitera Thomas, Patrick December, Eion Rodney, Otis Williams, Anthony Adams, Aquiba Reynolds, Orwin Corlette, Ebonie McNeil, Leon Perreira, Sherwin Alli, Miksha Crossman, Safiya Goulding and Alliyah Antigua.

Swiss prosecutors end proceedings against FIFA boss Infantino (Reuters) - Criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his dealings with former Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber have been closed, Swiss prosecutors said yesterday, a decision Infantino hailed as a vindication of “the new FIFA”.

Infantino was elected in 2016 to clean up world soccer body FIFA after it became embroiled in corruption scandals.

However, Swiss

authorities launched proceedings against

Infantino himself in 2020 on suspicions of secrecy

violations, abuse of office and aiding and abetting related to meetings he held with Lauber.

In ending the proceedings, prosecutors said their investigations had “invalidated” such suspicions.

Swiss-Italian Infantino, who had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, said the decision was a “a full and clear victory for me, for the new FIFA and for justice.”

“Indeed and with no surprise, the investigation

fully and clearly confirms that I have always acted in a lawful and correct way, always defending exclusively the interests of F I FA a n d f o o t b a l l , ” Infantino said.

Swiss authorities had been investigating contacts between Infantino and Lauber, who resigned as Swiss attorney general after a court concluded he covered up a meeting with the FIFA boss and lied to supervisors while his office investigated

corruption at the football body.

The prosecutors said that their investigation had turned up no evidence that I n f a n t i n o h a d “instrumentalised” the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland “ i n t o u n u s u a l , inexplicable, erroneous or even criminal acts or omissions”.

FIFA said they had noted the decision to close the proceedings “with extreme satisfaction”.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 27, 2023

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Over 35 plus Karatekas soar to new heights – As Sensei Woon-A-Tai conducts GKC grading examination

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n early October, the Guyana Karate College (GKC) hosted a significant event where karate practitioners demonstrated their skills and determination in a recent grading examination exercise conducted at the Transport Sports Club pavilion. Led by World Karate Master Frank WoonA-Tai, a 10th Dan black belt, approximately thirty-seven individuals achieved higher levels of martial arts expertise.

The GKC, known for its martial arts education, has nurtured discipline, respect, and dedication among its students. The recent grading examination showcased the commitment and progress of students of all ages and ranks under Master Frank WoonA-Tai’s mentorship.

The grading examination is a traditional evaluation of a practitioner’s abilities, including technique, form, knowledge, and spirit. It serves as both a test of physical prowess and a celebration of personal growth and martial arts philosophy.

Master Woon-A-Tai, a 10th Dan black belt holder, is a legendary figure in the world of karate, shaping martial artists in Guyana and globally. His guidance and expertise were evident as he assessed participants with precision and impartiality.

Meanwhile, around

Karate practitioners pose for photo-op at the conclusion of GKC grading examination held at Transport Sports Club.

thirty-seven karatekas from various backgrounds and age groups achieved new ranks and recognition. Some started their karate journey, while others embarked on a new chapter in their quest for mastery.

N o t a b l y, M a h e n d r a Satram was promoted to 1st Dan, Bradley Mohabir and Johnathan Yong advanced to the 2nd Dan, Brandon Yong reached 3rd Dan, and Vaishawley Kandasammy attained 4th Dan. Several individuals were promoted to different Kyu ranks, reflecting their progress and dedication.

Diya Satram was confirmed as 2nd Kyu, Theresa Anthony, Angel Anthony and Nubia Neferteti move up the order to 3rd Kyu, while the 4th Kyu awardees were Angel Lam, Amelia Hassan, Johathan Brydan, Matthew Soyan and Matthew Inshanall.

The 5th Kyu was occupied by Anthony Chezzy, Jared Arthur, Michael Murray, Quincy Savory, Alleyah Hassan, Ethan Ramroop, Josiah Higgins and Zariha Waterman. While the trio of Anupa Gobin, Tarendra Gobin and Kushi Gobin were

GKC showcase its newest team of practitioners promoted within the Dan ranks.

all promoted to 6th Kyu. Liam Brumell, among four others including Natasha Antony, Meikel DeAgrella, Givani Robertson and Zseni Asween were etched as 7th Kyu ranks, in addition to, Ester Reevers, Ethan English,

Daniel Reevers, Sarah Reevers, Ethan Shurland, Nathan Shurland and Lalitta Narine inclusion to 8th Kyu status.

The GKC grading examination serves as a testament to the transformative power of

karate and the role of experienced instructors like Master Frank Woon-A-Tai. It encourages individuals to continue pushing their boundaries, unlocking their true potential, and embracing the spirit of continuous improvement.

Deputy Chief Education Officer (Tech), Dr. Ritesh Tularam was among the delegation to give remarks at launch of the event.

61st National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships launched

rts Spo

Attendants of the 61st launch of the prestigious Championships.

Rashada Williams’ 71 leads the charge in Windies Women A’s three-wicket victory over Pakistan to ODI level series Captain Rashada Williams was named Player of the Match for her 71. (CWI)

Sri Lanka’s Sadeera Samarawickrama and Pathum Nissanka celebrate after the match. (REUTERS/Andrew Boyers)

Sri Lanka heap more World Cup misery on England with big win Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.