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AIETEUR TT ’s oil and gas sector has been a slow train NEWS wreck for the last decade

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

Friday Edition October 01, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 40

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

- Lack of transparency, accountability among major issues to be blamed - Energy Expert, Anthony Paul

Online readership yesterday, 79,930

Controversial Chinese

company rebids for

Amaila Falls Hydro Project GRA's rigid measures led to 166%

increase in revenues in 4 years - Report Man in custody Two drown after for stabbing boat capsizes near brother to death Chinese Landing

Police hunting man who posted ex-girlfriend's nudes on TikTok The protest continues “Weed hustler” Man acquitted of captured after for change to all rape charges, found jumping into foreign contracts guilty of assault Demerara River

Electrician, 19, Leaders must recognise shot dead for world in middle of climate emergency - UN Secretary General gold chain With COP 26 one month away…

GAS PLANT AND HYDRO DEALS ARE BEING PUT TOGETHER IN SECRECY WITH GOVT. on Kaieteur AND PRIVATE PLAYERS. WHO WOULD BE THE SECRET PARTNERS? @11:00hrs Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Electrician, 19, shot dead for gold chain A 19-year-old electrician, Joshua Denny, of 2109 Nutmeg Street, Festival City, South Ruimveldt, was killed around the corner from his home while on his way to work.

According to police, the incident occurred at Nutmeg Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt around 06:15hrs on Thursday.

Kaieteur News learnt that Denny, while rushing around the corner to catch a bus to go to work, was confronted by two men on a motorbike who snatched his chain, shot him and rode away.

Denny's sister related that yesterday morning, shortly after he left for work, she was told he was shot.

After hearing about the incident she rushed to the scene, where she found him lying on the ground.

While there he was saying, “I was shot and robbed, and I wouldn't make it.”

Dennys family was able to recover his cell phone and working bag and other items which he had in his possession at the time.

The family expressed their grief

while stated that Denny had only celebrated his birthday a few weeks back and currently has a child on the way.

According to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Publication Relations Officer Chelauna Providence, Denny arrived at the hospital in an unconscious state; shortly after, his heart stopped while he was being treated.

Denny leaves behind his family, friends and pregnant girlfriend to mourn his passing.

Friday October 01, 2021

Joshua Denny

Kaieteur News

Friday October 01, 2021

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With COP26 one month away...

Leaders must recognise the world in the middle of climate emergency

By Kiana Wilburg th

With the 26 United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties commonly referred to as COP26, one month away, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, recently urged leaders to recognise that the world is in the middle of a climate emergency, as such, urgent action is needed to protect humanity.

The official made this plea at the final official ministerial meeting pre COP26 that was held in Milan, Italy, yesterday.

While it is essential for leaders to fulfil the promise of the Paris Agreement to lower global temperate to 1.5 Degree Celsius, Guterres said this will require more than just the spoken word.

“It means providing US$100 billion dollars each year to the developing world for climate action. And it means balancing financial support for mitigation and adaptation,” said the Secretary General.

On mitigation, Guterres said current Nationally

Determined Contributions (NDCs) will lead to a catastrophic 2.7 Degrees Celsius global temperature rise while adding; “We need more ambition, now.”

Guterres said he commends those nations, especially vulnerable developing countries that have come forward with more ambitious NDCs, despite the on-going COVID-19 crisis.

He stressed however, “We can only meet the 1.5degree goal if all G20 countries (which includes, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States), which are responsible for 80 percent of global emissions, pledge more decisive action in new or updated NDCs.” Even as he stressed the need for developed economies to take the lead, Guterres said all nations have a crucial role to play in the current climate crisis hence, he asked that emerging economies take the extra step

- UN Secretary General and deliver more emissions cuts.

The Secretary General said, “We are all in the same boat, and we have to pull together. That is why I am asking all nations to enhance NDCs and domestic policies as often as necessary and without delay until we are collectively on the right track. I cannot emphasise enough that time is running out. Irreversible climate tipping points lie alarmingly close.”

PHASING OUT COAL USE According to the Secretary General, the single most effective step leaders can take to limit temperature rise is phasing out coal, beginning with no new coal power plants.

In this regard he said the world has come a long way in the past year. He stressed however that much is still left to be done to phase out domestic coal by 2030 in the Organisation for Economic

UG opens this month end for new semester

The University of Guyana located at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, will be opening on October 25, 2021, for new and continuing students.

According to a press release, UG will be opening in a blended format for the academic year 2021/2022. There will be a virtual orientation for new students set for October 18 to 22, 2021.

H o w e v e r , approximately 65% of the University's classes will remain online for the first semester from October 2021 to January 2022 due to prevailing COVID-19 conditions, as well as, major building works arising from the recent extreme weather conditions. The remaining 35%, mostly consisting of laboratory and field exercises, are expected to be blended and face-toface delivered at the

various campuses for specific courses or parts of some courses only in this first semester, October 2021 to January 2022. Students will be notified directly of their schedules as well as, the safety measures they are expected to comply with if any of their courses are to be held face-to-face. The Schedules will also be posted on the Faculty websites.

New students already fully or conditionally accepted to the University for the New Year should h a v e r e c e i v e d communication with links to the sessions from their prospective Departments and Faculties as well as, from the University's Registry. Students will receive emails directly with the necessary login information to register.

The orientation sessions are aimed at providing a step-by-step introduction to all of the systems, policies,

personnel, and resources that students need to navigate the University.

This will be particularly important for students to start their classes seamlessly on the first day of their sessions. This also will address programrelated queries and concerns and provide the necessary support and guidance to students to ensure their time at the University is smooth, enriching and fulfilling as far as possible.

The orientation process is an onboarding exercise whereby students are also introduced to the rules, regulations, and lecturers, specific processes, given a tour of the physical and online classrooms, how to read and calculate their grade point average (GPA) and academic profiles. In addition, they will also be made aware of the special services and opportunities available to them during and after their studies.

Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental economic organisation with 38 member countries, and by 2040 in the rest of the world.

“I welcome the most recent announcement by China on ending international financing of coal power. I now ask private finance, from commercial banks to asset managers, including many in the United States, Europe and AsiaPacific, to quickly follow suit and stop financing coal,” expressed the UN Official.

He added, “I ask that coalitions of governments and public and private finance institutions unite to scale up existing financial mechanisms to retire coal and fund a just transition toward universal access to renewable energy.”

PROMISE OF US$100B Guterres was keen to note that developed countries have a responsibility to increase their individual pledges and honour their collective commitment to deliver the promised $100 billion dollars a year. He said this is an essential question of trust while adding the US$100 billion dollars is, of course, merely a down payment on what is needed to finance mitigation and adaptation in developing

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres

countries.

Guterres emphasised that this has to be fulfilled, as “pledges need to be backed by action and concrete deliverables.”

He also stressed that this funding is needed to assist with the third matter he referenced in his opening remarks—adaptation. The UN official reminded that the Paris Agreement says, “The provision of scaled-up financial resources should aim to achieve a balance between adaptation and mitigation.”

“Six years on, we are nowhere close,” Guterres outlined.

The Secretary General noted that adaptation remains the neglected half of the climate equation, accounting for only 25 percent of climate finance in support of developing countries. Even worse, the official said

adaptation represents only 0.1 percent of private funding.

With this in mind, the official repeated his call for donors and multilateral development banks to allocate at least 50 percent of their climate support towards adaptation and resilience.

He underscored that the failure to deliver means massive loss of lives and livelihoods.

In conclusion, the UN Secretary General said, “...Dear friends, time is tight and the storm clouds continue to gather.

Failure remains a possibility, but one that we cannot, must not, accept...Let us rebuild the trust that is needed to make COP26 a success for everyone. We have immense power. We can either save our world or condemn humanity to a hellish future.”

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Friday October 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Timeless marvels - if only we had leaders like them They crest on remarkable waves of physical energy that leaves everyone else applauding, gasping in wonderment.

On every occasion that there is delivery of the astonishing, there comes the reminder that age doesn’t matter as much for some. It is the heart inside, the mind that energises, and the determination harnessed towards giving of one’s best, with what is best for as many as can be. Call them timeless marvels, or whatever; but who are these people, these illuminating figures, that tell us there is no limit, when we bend will and spirit to give honestly of ourselves? Our leading politicians should take a page from their book, if only to learn how they could function at those elevated levels that would benefit all Guyana.

First, there is James Anderson of England, a now aweinspiring cricketing legend. How does he do it for team and country, this tireless workhorse still practicing his trade at the highest levels, and at the unforgiving age of 39 grizzled years? This is a man for cricketing quieter pastures, but there he is operating with honest backbreaking toil in the furnaces of test for Queen and country. He can’t be beat, will not be bested, in what he brings to the spotless table of unselfish effort. If only our political leaders, especially those in today’s groundbreaking challenging Guyanese new frontier, were cut of the same honourable cloth, of giving their all in products of inspirational leadership, we could have a different world, and not the one that is so slack and sluggish, so sickening with leadership twistedness and shabbiness. They are giving, but for no one, other than themselves.

Next, there is Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United and Portugal, who at 36 defies the odds and time and the cruel wear and tear on body and mind from football fields all over. Lesser competitors are left in the dust, younger legs crawl to catch up. How does he do it? From where does the unconquerable spirit of this frail looking figure in a football uniform come? It is about giving all for the team, for those who trust and believe, for every dollar earned, and which really does not matter. Again, what are our own political players giving to citizens, but a load of lies on oil, and so many other woeful things that bring us down?

Last, there is that ageless wonder from Down Under, Mary Hanna.

The now 66-year-old Australian equestrian competed in more than a handful of Olympics and though she never took home a medal, she has awed and inspired for the yeoman efforts she has put into craft and comportment on the lush lawns of more than a handful of Olympic and World Cup arenas.

The message again is that age does not matter, only a particular kind of fibre as makeup, deep physical, mental, and moral drivers dedicated to being the best at what one’s calling is in this life. It starts with a firmly set compass to principled achievement, with neither tricks nor evasions delivered on private and public things.

We could use some citizens and strivers like this trio, whether younger or older, male or female, from the world of sport, or those of politics, religion, academia, and public service. In fact, public service for the greater good for the greatest many is what these sometimes puny, sometimes grand, endeavours are all about, and no more.

When we examine many in this splendidly blessed land, there are those who lose their senses over treasures, lose their hair from corruptions distorting their minds and tangling their tongues, before three score years are over.

Any strengths that they may have had disappear due to selfishness, maliciousness, and dirtiness. Our political leaders stand on top the heap. They take whatever they want, give nothing in return.

They betray expectations, sabotage national potential, disappoint those who dream. If only we had leaders in this country of a different calibre. That is, in the high offices of this society expending honest effort, so that Guyana could be a better place, and all Guyanese better for it. We look not for saints, only principled workers at the helm to uplift with honest deeds.

GuySuCo was able to pay its employees’ wages and salaries despite the 2021 natural disaster Dear Editor, Permit me space to correct certain inaccuracies published recently by a media house on the affairs of the Corporation captioned ‘GuySuCo was unable to pay workers’ wages and salaries since August 2021.’ This statement is inaccurate. In fact, GuySuCo has met its wages and salaries obligations to its workforce every week on a timely basis since August 2020.

Despite the Corporation’s setback as a result of the

recent national disaster of 2021 that affected the entire industry, the shareholders, GuySuCo’s board of directors, and its executive management continue to collaborate actively to ensure all workers are paid on time every week. The Corporation continues to experience numerous challenges as a result of the natural disaster.

This includes the inundation of its largest cultivation at Albion/Port Mourant estate for over 65 days which has affected adversely its

production targets for 2021 and 2022.

The first consequence of the flood was a decline in sugar and molasses production and sales.

This decline in production and sales hijacked the revenue stream of the industry. Notwithstanding these challenges, GuySuCo has met all of its obligations to its workforce and continues to meet its obligation to the local sugar market.

GuySuCo is cognisant of

the importance of the media in its rebuilding efforts. More is expected of the fourth estate at this delicate juncture of the industry’s life.

On behalf of the Corporation, I stand ready to facilitate any clarifications on any matter pertaining to the operations of GuySuCo on telephone number 624 0256.

Kind regards, Indira Badal Snr. Public Relations Manager Guyana Sugar Corporation

Guyana’s future will be shaped by oil; wishful thinking that the UN has either interest or clout to change Dear Editor, I write to respond to Mr. Jamil Changlee’s letter published recently arguing for Guyana to sit down with the U.N. Security Council to “discuss payments to leave our oil in the ground.” Such musings are, at best wishful thinking and furtherance of a narrative that will leave us behind. The very body to which Mr. Changlee would have us subsume our sovereign right to produce, has been unable to agree with all manner of international issues, including a united front on climate change.

The five permanent members of that body, namely: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, are all voracious consumers of energy and producers themselves.

Russia’s Gazprom, China’s CNPC and CNOOC, France’s Total, BP in

the U.K. and ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips in the U.S. are among the world’s largest energy producers.

These companies exist for the sole purpose of selling a commodity that is fundamental to the global economy; oil. In what world would the UN Security Council commit to underwriting the costs of payments for an avoidance scheme for Guyana, when they are busy producing at levels that eclipse Guyana’s oil production many times over? I am obliged to think that Mr. Changlee’s message is aimed at positing other avenues to fund Guyana’s resilience in the face of a warming world, but as the saying goes, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” No one will save Guyana, and any overtures to that end are likely to result in a bureaucratic malaise that

will see sea-levels rise and flooding reach our shores long before any help from the U.N. Security Council or any other body.

Guyana’s good fortune puts it in proximity to some of the most powerful nations of the world. The warm reception at this week’s U.N. General Assembly in New York and the reported standing room only audiences for Guyana’s appearance at the Oil and Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, should indicate that Guyana has emerged on the world stage.

With the analysts predicting we could see another rise to $100 barrel of oil by early next year, we are in a much-advantaged position to reap real and tangible rewards. By this time next year, the Natural Resources Fund could reach One billion U.S. dollars,

money that belongs to the people of Guyana without strings or preconditions.

Guyana did not emit the gigatons of greenhouse gases that will increase global temperatures. We were a carbon sink for much of our existence, trapping more carbon in our forests than we emitted. Norway recognised this fact, and its attempt to compensate for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation was a meaningful investment, but a tiny one in comparison to oil.

Norway, incidentally, generates much of its own wealth through offshore oil revenues, while still maintaining a well-deserved halo of sustainable innovation and a high development level. Our best chance for improving lives here in Guyana is to do the same.

Yours faithfully, Donald Singh

Court case by Guyanese against Exxon must have scientific basis Dear Editor, I am following intently a case filed by Dr. Troy Thomas and Quadad DeFreitas, representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, against ExxonMobil and by extension the Government of Guyana, on the impact of carbon emissions in the development of oilfields offshore Guyana. They are contending that the carbon emissions generated from oil extraction here are so great that it is, if not already, has a negative impact on climate change in Guyana.

While we are all concerned about climate change and the negative effects of greenhouse gases,

we must not forget that this is a scientific discussion and, as such, must not deviate from that path, since scientific matters must be dealt with in a scientific context. This is not an emotional or political issue; therefore, it is on this platform that we base our arguments.

Secondly, we cannot put forward as proof that because negative consequences occurred elsewhere, means that it will happen here, that is for a street side gaff, but not evidence in a court of law.

It thus behooves us to take a careful look at the arguments and counterarguments that would be put forward in court.

This is purely a scientific case, and as such, must go

the full length of the examination of empirical evidence to support their claim. Pure hard scientific facts must be generated for any court to come up with a sensible conclusion, if any, otherwise this case should be thrown out for lack of scientific proof.

A case of this nature must examine the following factors: 1. The extraction of crude petroleum here brings with it Natural gas, the two exist together. As an oilproducing nation, Guyana is less than three years into the production of oil and Natural gas. The excess gas extraction has to be utilised which, in the present circumstances, is being flared. The question is,

does the flaring of the excess Natural gas so great that it will cause drastic climate changes?

2. As a consequence of the above, The EPA must through empirical evidence show that the gas emissions or flaring, which is in (ppm), is so great as to produce that negative effect. I am talking about evidence collated over that period. In this regard, the EPA would be hardpressed to produce scientific evidence to the satisfaction of the experts in this debate.

3. The Natural gas is presently being flared or burnt as a consequence of the company not having any other alternatives for its proper use. The government for its part has produced a comprehensive plan to bring (Continued on page 6)

Friday October 01, 2021

A spirit of cooperation must prevail amid disagreements Dear Editor, I read Mr. GHK Lall’s most recent letter in the press ”Stirrings of an opposition in Guyana really?” and was reminded of the recent attempt to steal the last elections. Yes, emotions of anger, betrayal and disappointment have entered the political arena. Many a loyal Guyanese son and daughter have looked upon the recent past and have decided to fight against what will harm our fellow Guyanese. This should not be mistakenly referred to as betrayal of political ideology.

I do not speak for ANUG nor do I speak for the LJP and much less so for the PPP, APNU and the AFC. As for the CRG, this I do speak for and I can assure you that a neutral and impartial voice continues to exist in the political arena.

There are some issues that we should all agree upon

and work on together and there are others where a difference of opinion exists, and from these differences a better solution may be found.

We must remember to not neglect the reality of the Guyanese experience. We are a small country by population, which needs all helping hands to work together to ensure that the massive global change of climate that is currently occurring does not devour our country’s future.

When compared to our differences, the importance of disagreement on other issues seems minor and less critical at this moment in our country’s development. We must strive to put aside these relatively minor differences and not be in opposition just for the sake of opposing the other party.

Instead, we must seek cooperation amongst us in the political arena and put

forward a clear progressive agenda to save our prosperous future, allowing all Guyanese the opportunity to have a good life.

A life free of frequent flooding, free of increasing crime and violence, free of economic hardships, free of power shortages, free of COVID-19 and serious illnesses, but most importantly free of environmental disasters caused by climate change and the factors that bring about such a change.

For this comrades, this single most important factor can destroy everything Guyana has and is striving for if not addressed quickly and decisively in the spirit of cooperation to find a lasting solution.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

PPP/C Govt. has erred on several fronts in COVID-19 management Dear Editor, The COVID-19 pandemic has been poorly handled by the current Guyanese Government, and this sadly results in the dramatic increase in infections and deaths we are currently witnessing. I remember how M r. J a g d e o d e n i e d a lockdown, which would have been quite effective in slowing the spread of the virus.

Lockdowns have been employed all over the world and are quite effective, but Mr. Jagdeo falsely claimed that they are ineffective. I remember travelling around the country in early July and most Guyanese were without masks. I was shocked. The rules for masking were not enforced. It is as if no one cares. This was quite disturbing to me. I also worry about the chronic shortages of vaccines amid very little social distancing and face masking. I knew that the virus would spread

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Kaieteur News

under such conditions, but what could I do. This is how painful life is in Guyana.

I have also observed that Guyanese could not afford to purchase facemasks.

Those who own stores prefer to sell them than to wear them to make a quick buck to put food on the table. These are the heartbreaking realities of poverty in Guyana. In spite of this, the Guyanese Government refuses to provide masks for its people.

Government prefers to stash our oil money away for the gas-toshore project and to give themselves huge salaries, than to spend it to save lives during this pandemic.

G o v e r n m e n t complained that there are many who refused to take the vaccine, but I am pretty sure that any form of monetary incentives would have motivated many to be inoculated. Then there

were no gene sequencing methods available in Guyana. As a result, we do not even know the identity of the variants circulating in Guyana. Government seems oblivious to all this.

Government does not care a hoot that it takes more than vaccines to save lives in this pandemic.

Editor, I am convinced that there is not even one aspect of this pandemic that was scientifically handled by the PPP/C government in reducing infections and deaths.

Guyanese are now paying with their lives because of a poor COVID-19 response by the PPP/C government and no one is held accountable.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram

Cover-up pressures making PPP/C leaders unstable Dear Editor, PPP/C leaders persist in seeking to fool citizens.

When they don’t get their way, they lash out in sordid ways. They may have thought that what was presented to the public was convincing, but even simpletons have no difficulty seeing through leadership charades, which fool none, and only make them look smaller, lower.

One said that transparency reigns. Either he has no idea what transparency means, or the deviousness is not just blatant, but incomparable. I assert that the pressures to keep the lid on outright lies, subtle camouflages, and numerous red herrings employed by PPP/C leaders are backfiring. These cause them to be unstable, where they and their people become reckless.

Leaders in government have twisted themselves into so many knots, with oil and gas deceptions, that they can’t tell a straight story anymore; on anything material. They have no credibility left; secrecy drives suspicions; and this is after only one short year. The best

that they do, through proxy flunkies, is to spout about how much they spent, where they went, and to whom they gave money, with easy comparisons to what the wretched PNC did or didn’t do; there is nothing easier.

And when that fails, or is challenged, they get agents to attack from behind bushes.

Men who have big things to hide engage in bigger misdeeds to snuff out undesirables. I plan on hanging that on their sorry heads for a long time to come.

Since shifty PPP/C leaders embarked on a programme of corruption with the biggest game in town (oil), they can’t turn back now, even if they wish to; they don’t. So, they are left with no choice, but to plough ahead and hope that things hold, and they escape accountability. I will hold them accountable, by raising corruptions in their faces.

When I think of the sum of governmental and ministerial farces and follies already recorded on this watch, I conclude that such accountability will extend beyond oil, inclusive of cash being doled out, and the corruptions being covered up (EPA and EIAs, COVID-19

funds, and flood funds).

Before the Americans took over (they have), leaders use to shout down; now they run down, and try to beat down into submission. They operate like nervous ghetto gang leaders, seeing shadows where none exist, so fearful they are of the truths of exposure. Thus, the paranoia of leaders becomes more pronounced.

I think that this is what is now deeply embedded in Guyana, when one analyses postures and statements of PPP/C leaders, mostly corrupt: they run, but can’t hide. Hiding behind words, falsehoods, dirty tricks do not provide ethical glosses.

Rather, politics and leadership actions today resemble the fine art of prostitution.

Because Guyanese political leaders (and henchmen) prostitute themselves, they should learn from those honest practitioners: present the goods. Name the price.

Deliver the product. No more, no less. Strange as that sounds, it is an honest way in which to govern a nation, and oneself, too.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

End labour discrimination at GuySuCo Dear Editor, I read a news report in which sugar workers at Skeldon Sug a r E s t a t e , picketed the management office and called on GuySuCo to end discriminatory practices in pay compensation practices for those on the lower rungs.

It is shameful that hardworking sugar workers in the fields labouring in sweltering heat under the hot sun are not receiving similar fringe benefits, as those sheltering in airconditioned offices and travelling in comfort in cold SUVs – all paid for by the

labour productivity and taxes of the labourers. But they can’t get equality?

The working class is the productive sector – they are cultivating, tending to the cane, cleaning the vine, moulding, ‘manuring,’ doing the harvesting, and loading the cane that is backbreaking work.

Those in offices are enjoying the benefits of the labour of the sugar workers.

Have a conscience. Give the

workers fair pay for the greater work they performed than office staff!

The agricultural workers should receive greater compensation and fringe benefits than those sitting in an office.

GuySuCo’s management should immediately end discriminatory practices and grant benefits similar to those they award themselves.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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Friday October 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

There is no written SOP for the SWAT Squad Dear Editor, I read with much dismay a letter to the editor written by Clement J. Rohee under the caption, ”SWAT SOPs were in place.” I am not certain if the caption was that of the writer or the editor.

Apparently, this missive was in response to a letter I wrote indicating that there was no written SOP in place for the Police SWAT Squad.

Rohee boasted that during his tenure as Minister of Home Affairs he sought and got Cabinet’s approval to set up a SWAT Unit within

the Guyana Police Force. His Ministry submitted a 24-page SOP in relation to the SWAT Unit to the then CoP GPF. Was the SWAT team unilaterally installed in the Guyana Police Force?

Was the action a policy? Was it operation? Was it the usual political interference in the operational work of the police? No wonder the police did not act on it and craft a written SOP. I am of the opinion that there was no need for the installment of a SWAT team then and even now in the GPF. Paul Slowe,

who at the time was in charge of operations of the Force objected to it as he felt that the funds could have been better utilised in the area of intelligence, and that members of the Tactical Services Unit were capable to effectively deal with any serious or unusual situation that the SWAT team was likely to encounter. It was, and is still a waste of human and other scarce resources of the GPF. TEG was right when according to what Rohee wrote, “SWAT operations are inherently

hazardous and that successful resolution of an incident may involve decisions that affects the lives and safety of all persons involved.”

This has manifested itself in a big way at Dartmouth where a member of the SWAT unlawfully shot and killed, unarmed Orin Boston in his bed. Rohee further posited, “The SWAT Unit SOP refers to its Mission, Joint operation Command, Risk Management, Organisational Structure, Personnel Positions and Duty Description, Crises

Govt. should heed these straws that could break the camel’s back Dear Editor, I am by nature an optimist and that optimism, in spite of ominous clouds hovering over my beloved country, remains intact. However, responsible citizens must continue to use the media, their religious organisations, and every opportunity to speak up and so persuade certain sections of a Government that they should behave in a manner consistent with the essence of a functional, credible democracy.

Unhappily, the perception prevalent among sections of the population that the present administration is like the proverbial bull in a china shop, and can ignore the rights of citizens, ignore our history, ignore the fact that they are superintending a polarised society where there is deep distrust - an unacceptable and dangerous state of affairs. The

Government should also take cognisance of the well-known lesson to be learnt about the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I complement those who have been writing, who have been protesting and the many editorials in certain newspapers that exposed the missteps taken by this Government. Actions not likely to promote peace, not likely to secure a consensus and certainly, not likely to produce trust and compromise.

Clearly inconsistent with statements about One Guyana.

First, I have urged a sane and sensible Government to set aside early statements, prejudices and sit down and talk with the Opposition on oil and COVID-19.

I now add to the agenda, security of the State, and every Citizen. The killing of Orin Boston at Dartmouth more than two weeks ago is a

serious matter, and I get the impression that the powers that be are using every facility at their command to sweep this and other matters under the carpet. When the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) Unit was established, it was intended to deal with hostage taking, where weapons were involved. Secondly, where there was armed conflict, which threatened the integrity of the State and other similar occurrences.

This is why the SWAT Unit was given special equipment and training, not available to the regular Police Force.

The fact that, with neither warning nor warrant, they invaded an ordinary home where a man and his wife and small children dwelt is by itself, an unacceptable and clearly inconsistent with the establishment and purpose of SWAT. At the moment, I ignore the fact that no weapons, no illegal drugs, were found at Boston’s Dartmouth residence. This alone should have required the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police, to dismiss forthwith members of the SWAT Unit who were present. They had no business there in the first place, or is the SWAT Unit established with much fanfare, now for hire? End of story.

I did not visit Dartmouth, but I would not have advised

the family or the community to end the protest. I will say no more on this matter, but will await the enquiry, which cannot be set up, without consulting the Opposition and genuine civil society. Not the sycophants we have parading as civil society, such as the public sector commission.

I earlier noted that a serious weakness by some sections of our population is their proclivity, perhaps because of their Christian upbringing, to forgive too easily and forget. I was reading poems from one of my favourite writers, Khalil Gibran, and I wondered whether some of his words written many years ago are applicable to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

“Pity the nation, that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful.

Pity the nation that raises not its voice save when it walks in a funeral, boasts not except among its ruins, and will rebel not save, when its neck is laid between the sword and the block.

Pity the nation that eats the bread it does not harvest.”

Let us continue to write, as the English author, Edward Bulwer-Lytton reminds us, “the pen is mightier than the sword.”

Yours faithfully, Hamilton Green

Negotiation, Logistics, Technical Operations, Training, After action Reports, Equipment Management, Use of Force, Use of Force Investigation and Protocols and Priority of Life.

The above is not a SOP. It is a collection of subject areas submitted by The Emergence Group in relation to the formation, training and operation of the SWAT team.

Under no circumstances can it be considered a SOP as stated by Rohee. In law enforcement terms, it does not have the basic characteristics of a SOP. To put things in simple terms, a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) is a step-by-step instruction by an organisation to help workers carry out routine and other operations. Space does not permit me to go into details about the characteristics of a SOP, but one can easily Google that information.

What the police should have done, was to analyse the information contained in those areas identified in the documents submitted by Rohee; conceptualised and internalised it; and design, develop and implement a written SOP for the SWAT. With whole-brain, thinking it could easily be compressed into a simple document, not a 24-page missive. The SOP should then be published in the Police Force Orders and then enshrined in the Police Standing Orders to be

operationalised. This was not done, perhaps, because the police saw it as an unnecessary imposition of the SWAT squad on them.

Even at this time, Rohee is not certain whether or not there is a written SOP for the SWAT team. Here is what he wrote, “What is passing strange, was to learn seven years later and having been deployed on several occasions in Regions 2, 4 and 6 and with the approval of three Commissioners of Police that ‘There is no written SOP in place for the police SWAT squad’.”

Let me again be very pellucid. There is no written SOP for the SWAT Squad. If any exists now, perhaps, it was hurriedly written after the unlawful shooting to death of Orin Boston at Dartmouth by a member of the SWAT team, and or after the publication of my letter. If it is in use, let it be made public or quietly show it to me. If I am convinced that it is authentic, I will apologise.

This will be my only response to Rohee. I will not waste any more of my precious time and effort to respond to and fro to irrelevancies, inaccuracies and inconsistencies that are propagated in the social media by Rohee and some others. To God be the glory.

I rest my case.

Yours respectfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

...Court case by Guyanese against From page 4 that gas to shore for full utilisation of it in power generation.

This is commendable and must be taken note of.

4. Most of our gas is found offshore, which means that this gas extraction is in the midst of one of the largest carbon sinks of the world, which is water. Offshore drilling is in the limitless ocean of water.

5. Another source of carbon sink is our forest, found in the wider Amazon basin, which is the second largest forested Region in the world. Guyana itself is heavily forested, being 90 percent forest.

6. Our oil industry has to be utilised in a sustainable manner, which means that oil extraction is defined as development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations. The safety and wellbeing of all can be assured if we endeavour to adopt and adapt to these factors.

Some may find difficulty with the interpretation of the word sustainability as is the case with the EPA and the use of fossil fuels. They may want to question its validity when we see the disappearance of biodiversity, ecosystems and, the most dreaded, climate change. However, not all is lost with the implementation of present technologies to mitigate the negatives. And where there is deficiency of present methods, then the adoption of more appropriate and efficient models for the wellbeing of the industry and society.

The oil and Natural gas are not going to be left in the ground, as our vice president has intimated and I am in agreement, but it will be utilised in a sustainable manner in keeping with modern standards. This is what a court must uphold not to rely on unscientific, nonempirical, at the most political statements.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Friday October 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

The 'new and improved' Amaila Falls Hydro Project is back in business.

The new is the same as the old: secrecy already, leadership vulgarity and stupidity at the ready.

It is to mislead and deceive Guyanese with what is sure to benefit insiders and cronies.

PPP/C leadership attempted to sell Guyana this trap before. They are preparing to do the same again.

Do these people have a single honest bone in their body?

The answer we are inclined to believe is: NO! NO! NO!

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Friday October 01, 2021

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T T ’s oil and gas sector has been a slow train wreck for the last decade - Lack of transparency, accountability among major issues to be blamed - Energy Expert, Anthony Paul

By Kiana Wilburg For the last decade, Energy Strategist and Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul, has observed that Trinidad and Tobago's oil and gas sector has been nothing but a slow train wreck.

In a recent virtual discussion with his fellow Trinidadians on the depressing state of the economy that has left its people under pressure, Paul said in no uncertain terms that the country's gas sector has been doing dramatically badly for a long time.

Paul said he would attribute the industry's declining health to a lack of adherence to the principles of

transparency and accountability, two key elements of any robust governance framework.

The oil expert said, “The fact of the matter is that there are systemic issues that have not been addressed over the years but have gotten worse, hence where we are today…But what surprises me is that not enough questions are being asked. I get the feeling that this prosperity that we have had or enjoyed for a long period, people seem to think it is coming to an end. And they don't know if this is going to be a temporary state…”

The Energy Strategist continued, “We see that there

is a difference in the prosperity we enjoy now compared to previous years.

And, that observation leads me to ask firstly: well what led us to the prosperity in the first place and what did we do right then? And how have things changed?”

Candidly speaking, Paul said when Trinidad and Tobago started governing the oil industry post independence, it was lucky to have the late Eric Williams as a visionary leader who took the “long game approach” and that allowed the country to be positioned for the fluctuations in the sector, to be able to build on it in the long term and to benefit from

what was put in place. “Now sadly, what we are seeing today is a lack of that vision,” expressed Paul.

Speaking to the birth of Trinidad and Tobago's vision for its oil sector, Paul noted that in 1963, the government of the day had set up a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the oil and gas sector, which sought to analyse the industry, the needs of the country, and the desires of its people.

Paul said this CoI led to the birth of a robust regulatory regime to manage the sector, which included Trinidad's Petroleum Act. This CoI he said also paved the way for robust institutions and people to be interwoven into the system.

“So it was all about good governance, transparency and accountability. Several instruments were also put in place to allow those managing the sector to be held to account. But if I fast forward to today, the big difference between then and now is the lack of accountability for those who govern the sector,” expressed Paul.

The Trinidadian also bemoaned the fact that Trinidad's Energy Ministry is governing the sector with outdated laws and regulations. “It is still using a law which is from 1969 vintage and regulations which are 1971 vintage.

Beyond that, the law sets up a mechanism for regulations to be added as the industry grew but this is honoured in breach,” the oil expert noted.

Paul was keen to note that the absence of updated laws is not the only area of concern. What troubles him also, is the failure to implement even the fundamental aspects of the oil laws. In this regard, Paul

noted that the nation's legislation dictates that any company operating in the sector, no matter where, must be licenced and each licence must be in a register. To this day, the Trinidadian said none of the downstream companies are licenced and are therefore operating without the control mechanisms that were designed to govern their granular activities. Paul stressed that this state of affairs has actually worked against the country and cost it millions of dollars in taxes.

Expounding further, Paul referenced the case of Train 1, which began commercial operations on March 13, 1999, in Trinidad and Tobago and became the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility to operate in the Atlantic Basin, and the second in the Western Hemisphere. Paul said one issue that was not mentioned about Train 1 is that it had received a 10-year tax holiday when it started operations and under the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, every operation, meaning processing plant and its subsidiary activities including storage, shipping, etc. should be licenced.

Furthermore, every contractor associated with the plant and its operations should also be licenced. This even includes the marketing c o m p a n y u s e d .

Unfortunately, none of those agents were licenced.

“What happened is that Atlantic LNG (which is owned by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago and local subsidiaries of companies such as BP) was allowed to operate its Tr a i n 1 p l a n t a b o v e nameplate capacity for 10 years in which they paid no taxes. So it means they put

TT Energy and Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul through a whole lot more volume than intended tax free,” explained Paul.

Had a licence been in place, Paul said the volume of gas produced during that 10year time would have been capped.

In addition to this, Paul said at the time the investment was made in Train 1, and the 10-year tax holiday approved, the price for Natural gas was one TT dollar. He noted however that when the tax holiday came into the effect, the price for gas shot up to TT$14. He said in the absence of a licence, this led to a huge windfall of profit for Atlantic LNG and no returns for Trinidad and Tobago in the form of taxes.

To make matters worse, when the 10-year holiday was over, Paul noted that the company suddenly started to experience technical issues and was shut down for extended periods.

“Even production at the fields was shut down for extended revenues and that shortened revenue. So that is just one of the many examples of what can happen in a broken regulatory and governance system and it has caused us immense harm and that has multiplied along the value chain,” expressed Paul.

He concluded, “So if you ask me why we are here, I would say to you it is because there was a breakdown in governance.”

Missing pensioner found dead in Enterprise Backdam A missing pensioner, 68, was yesterday found dead in the Enterprise Cane Field Backdam located on the East Coast Demerara (ECD). The dead man was identified as Hardat Mangru of Enterprise. Mangru's partially decomposed remains were found around 12:00Hrs. The bus driver had been missing for more than three days now. According to police, his

relatives decided to file a missing person's report on Tuesday. Yesterday, the search for the missing man came to an abrupt end when he was found dead in the backdam.

Crime scene experts have reported that no visible marks of violence were seen on his corpse. An investigation has since been launched to determine circumstances surrounding his demise.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 01, 2021

PAGE 09

Open Letter to the World Bank, the IDB and the CDB Dear International Financial Institutions, Yo u r s u p p o r t f o r Guyana's development is contingent on greater transparency and inclusion in the management of the economy. This much can be gleaned from your country strategies.

Yo u r s u p p o r t a l s o presumes, I believe, that the old ways of doing things are over. But what really has changed in Guyana?

True, we have a new government, which replaced one, which attempted to install itself illegally through fraud. But what else has changed?

The same old suspects are dominating economic decision-making. There is no space for widespread public consultations on the direction of the economy. There has been a lot of talk about inclusion but the evidence is flimsy.

Controversial projects are being revived. And these decisions are fraught with danger. For example, the decision to pursue the gas-toshore project is being made without a feasibility study specific to the landing of the pipeline at Wales.

No specific or updated feasibility study has been done yet investors are being invited to submit proposals for the revival of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

This is happening despite the fact that an objective review of this project done by a

Norwegian firm had expressed concerns over the hydrological data.

The same old ways of doing things are also being witnessed in relation to other project proposals. The government has announced plans to create three new drainage canals in three Regions but is yet to indicate what technical studies were done to justify this proposal.

The proposal is all the more suspect when one considers that engineers have long identified the over-topping of main rivers and basins as the main contributor to coastal flooding.

Even if you, the World Bank, the IDB and the CDB, are not involved in any of these controversial projects, the size and scale of these projects will have a great impact on the country's economy and therefore cannot be ignored by you.

As such, it is in your interest to examine closely the potential impact of these controversial projects on the country's economic future.

Otherwise, you may be pumping resources into an e c o n o m y, w h i c h m a y collapse because of the burdens associated with those controversial projects.

The socio-economic impact of your own projects can be put in jeopardy. If the economy runs into problems as a result of these major projects, it can sink the outcomes, which you are seeking from your own

projects.

Transparency is far from satisfactory. The IDB in its Country Strategy for Guyana had noted that the quality of public transparency and accountability have not improved much in recent years.

So why sink further funds into a country in which there is a greater need for improvement in this area.

Supporting fiscal transparency is not enough.

The public is entitled to know the details of the major infrastructural projects, which are being undertaken by the government. But this has not been satisfactorily forthcoming and it is necessary that there be public support for these major projects before they are undertaken. Otherwise, the entire economy can be put at risk and your own projects jeopardised. It should be recalled that the developer for the hydropower project walked because of concerns over support from the then Opposition.

The CDB's Country Strategy for Guyana is based on three strategic pillars. One of these pillars is supporting social and economic development. However, the CDB has a distorted notion of what constitutes inclusive economic growth.

Inclusive growth cannot only be about outcomes but must also be about inclusion in processes, including in decision-making processes.

Guy-lines boys seh... come back!

Dem

De call come from wan old-timer. He tell dem boys how “Guy-lines come back!”

Dem boys thought he was joking because dem boys know we done pass dem days.

Nuff awe young people nah know bout standing in lines fuh hours. Dem nah even want join a line in de supermarket.

Dem boys does still grimace bout dem times when yuh had to line up fuh essential items, including cooking oil and cooking gas. Some times yuh does just pass and see a line and join it, and den ask wat it fuh.

Dem boys remember de time when yuh use to have to line up overnight fuh get lil gasoline fuh yuh half-dead motorcar. De lines used to be long, and when it reach the junction, it does tun de corna.

Some people use to sleep overnight in dem car because dem de want hold dem

space in de line. But looking back pon dem days, things bin hard but people bin nice. Dem used to mek jokes, talk dem politicians name and lookout fuh wan another. Nuff men and women meet people in de lines and dem come friends.

But dem had some people who used to hoard items, including gasoline. One day, dem boys went by a friend and ask fuh use he toilet. Inside de toilet dem boys see four five-gallon bottles full with gasoline. If dem boys did strike a match in dat toilet dere woulda bin wan explosion. Dem boys did frighten fuh even pass lil wind.

So when dem boys hear dat Guy-lines back, dem boys had to ask, wah de people lining up fuh? De old-timer seh is fuh de Sputnik V second dose. Now dis is one line wah dem boys welcome.Talk half and go and tek yuh second dose!

If there is insufficient transparency or meaningful consultations on major economic and social decisions, then how can any resulting growth be said to be inclusive?

If projects end up being designed to benefit friends and cronies, how can this be said to be inclusive? If concessions are granted to businesses in order to reduce the cost of living but despite the concessions granted, prices have not declined to their previous levels, then how can such measures be deemed inclusive?

You, the World Bank, the IDB and the CDB, must demand to know the financial models, which will be used for the proposed hydropower project and the gas-to-shore project.

The debacle, which surrounded and still surrounds the controversial financial models for the Marriott Hotel and the Berbice River Bridge, must not reoccur.

There should be public disclosure of the details of these projects, including any guaranteed rate of return for investors.

The PPP/C has returned to its old ways. The same old faces, the same manner of developing projects and the same concerns over transparency are once again erupting.

This is not a scenario in which you, IDB, the World Bank and the CDB, should be happy about. It is time you take a stand, if only to protect the projects, which they are financing in Guyana. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 01, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The Nassau plan and the Creole class's paranoia in the AFC T

here are three i m p o r t a n t questions in politics over the past 10 years that cry out for scholarly treatment.

The date of the first one is unknown. The second one occurred in 2011. The third one took place in 2019. Two of them had to do with the reaction of the Creole middle class to the rise of Indian influence in the AFC. The incidents involved Raphael Tr o t m a n a n d K h e m r a j Ramjattan in confrontation with each other. The undated one was a plan by Trotman and David Granger before the AFC was born.

Trotman at a public meeting in Bartica during the 2016 local government election campaign was praising President Granger.

He told his audience that after the 2015 election result was announced, Granger called him on the phone and said, “Raphael, this is Nassau.”

This was a political plan

they both toyed around with at the airport in Nassau in the Bahamas while waiting to fly home.

The idea revolved around a strategy that could make the PNC win a national election for the first time since selfgovernment came with the 1953 election under the PPP led by Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham.

After the British government suspended the government in 1953, the PNC since then has never won an election on its own.

Trotman did not explain the shape of the plan to the meeting. After his pronouncement in Bartica in 2016, no journalist has ever asked him or Granger what was the Nassau Plan.

Here it is now for the first time in print. Granger's instinct went into the direction of reforming the PNC with new faces without baggage. This new-look party will need a multi-racial partner that has support

a m o n g t h e We s t e r n embassies, rural Indians and the business class in general.

Granger and Rupert Roopnaraine worked on the image of the PNC, while Trotman was responsible for the birth of the new multiracial party.

Trotman remains to this day one of Guyana's most brilliant political tacticians if not the best.

Trotman founded the AFC with heavy support from the embassies, business community and the urban Creole class, which dominated its leadership.

Then Trotman, familiar with his country's history invented a masterpiece.

Trotman knew that the Creole class in the fifties and sixties were going nowhere if they did not team up with the African proletariat.

He knew a reformed PNC in partnership with a pure, urban middle class entity would not work in the 21st

century. The 21st century was not the 1950s.

Trotman then invited a dark-skinned, Hindu leader from the PPP who was having trouble with his party

Frederick Kissoon and wasexpelled to co-lead the AFC – Khemraj Ramjattan.

The Creole class in the AFC was livid. Ramjattan was immediately rejected by every leader in the AFC and members of the Creole middle class that had influence over the AFC. Some serious racist words were used in the rejection.

Trotman however, stood his ground. His argument and personality were persuasive and he succeeded. But

Ramjattan's presence in a Creole middle class organisation was not accepted.

I remember Ramjattan inviting me to his birthday party at Gandhi Youth Organisation. The Creole middle class did not show up.

I will always recall his words at his birthday party. He said, “I love my religion.”

In 2006, the AFC entered the election campaign with a pact between the two cofounders.

In that year, Trotman would be the presidential candidate and Ramjattan taking the PM slot and the roles would be reversed in 2011. But as the 2011 campaign heated up, Trotman believed that the AFC might win a minority government and Ramjattan would be president.

He then refused to back Ramjattan as presidential candidate.

This was a situation of class entitlement. Trotman felt the raison d'être of the AFC was for the middle class to have state power. For more on this please Google the controversy.

In February 2019, Trotman in an interview with the Guyana Times dropped a similar bombshell to the one in 2011. At the January 2017 congress of the AFC at the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School, the congress mandated that Ramjattan would succeed Moses Nagamootoo as PM candidate for the 2020 election.

Trotman told the Guyana Times that changing the PM candidate could cause the APNU+AFC to lose the election and he was against the change. Please do a Google search on the second bombshell. Trotman preferred Nagamootoo because Nagamootoo was not a threat to middle class domination of the AFC because Nagamootoo was not from the former ROAR group that bankrolled the AFC. ROAR elements wanted to Indianise the AFC. Trotman was concerned about AFC becoming an Indian outfit.

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

Friday October 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Man acquitted of rape charges, found guilty of assault Bhola Bhagwandin known as 'Buddy,' was yesterday acquitted of two counts of rape, but was found guilty of assaulting the woman he was accused of raping.

Bhagwandin was on trial in the Demerara High Court before Justice, Jo-Ann Barlow, and a 12-member jury. He had denied the two counts of rape charge, which alleged that on September 2, 2019, in the County of Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with the woman.

He had also pleaded not guilty to the third charge, which stated that on the same date and location, he assaulted the said woman thereby causing her actual

Friday October 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

bodily harm.

After deliberating, the jury returned with a unanimous not guilty verdict on the two counts of rape, and a guilty verdict on the assault charge.

The State was represented by Prosecutor, Sarah Martin, and the accused was represented by Attorney-at-law, Teriq Mohammed. Bhagwandin will remain on bail until his sentencing hearing on October 20, 2021, and he was ordered to stay150ft. away from the victim.

According to the facts of the charge, the woman was at the back of her yard on the day in question when Bhagwandin came into her yard. It was stated that the

accused then began holding the woman's breast and her hand, and as such, she told him not to do that.

The facts further stated that, the accused started to hit her with his hand in her back and belly and started cuffing her. The woman had also related to the police that the accused picked up a piece of wood from her backyard, and started to beat her all over her body - her hand, foot, and back.

It was alleged that after beating the woman, Bhagwandin allegedly committed two forms of sexual penetration on the woman. The matter was reported and Bhagwandin was later slapped with three charges.

Public must cooperate with police at roadblocks - Traffic Chief

T

raffic Chief and S e n i o r Superintendent of Police, Ramesh Ashram, is calling on the public to work along with his ranks during routine traffic stops, especially at roadblocks.

This call comes following the circulation of several videos on social media showing verbal confrontations between police ranks and motorists.

These confrontations would often be centered around a recent statement the Traffic Chief made on a radio programme.

Ashram had said that traffic ranks must not randomly pull over vehicles just to check for documents.

In recent times, many drivers have been using this statement to their advantage b y f ailin g to s to p at roadblocks or complying when a cop asks them to produce their documents.

One example of such a scenario was captured in a cellphone-recorded video that went viral on social media during the past week.

The video showed a heated verbal confrontation between a police officer and a motorist at a roadblock that was set up just in front of the Sparendaam Police Station located on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

The officer had pulled over the man during a roadblock exercise and asked him for his documents.

The citizen instead of complying came out of his car and started videoing the lawman.

He was heard telling the policeman that he has no sense and education.

The cop during the confrontation then quoted a section of the law to justify his actions.

Noting that it might be a case where motorists have misunderstood his statement, the Traffic Chief Ashram decided to shed some clarity on the matter during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Ashram told DPI that the confrontations are stemming from comments he made in May, where he urged police ranks not to stop motorists only to check for documents.

Those comments were made on the virtual programme 'Police and You.' In clarifying the issue, the Traffic Chief said that his comments were taken out of context. He stated that he called on police officers not to check for documents during the peak hours in order to allow for the free flow of traffic.

Those hours are between 7:00am and 9:00am and between 2:00pm and 6:00pm.

Additionally, the Traffic Chief explained that his call for officers not to check for documents during peak

Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ramesh Ashram hours does not apply during a police exercise, such as a roadblock.

“If the police are carrying out an exercise, you have to comply with the police, do not use the statement how you want to use it or for your own benefit because the police are covered under the Law, under Cap 16:01,” said Ashram.

Ashram made a public appeal for motorists to comply with the police during routine exercises.

“I am appealing to members of the public, whether drivers or pedestrians and the public as a whole, to cooperate with the police, listen to the police,” he urged during the DPI interview.

He added, “If you tell yourself at a stop or roadblock you were treated unfairly, you can take that rank's number and name, report the matter to the a superior and action would be taken.”

Friday October 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 01, 2021

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GRA's rigid measures led to 166%

increase in revenues in 4 years- Report As a result of implementing a series of rigid measures, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) witnessed an astronomical increase in tax collection during a period of four years, specifically between 2016 and 2019.

According to one of the agencies key reports seen by Kaieteur News, it was noted that direct and indirect annual revenue figures increased cumulatively from $2 billion

in 2016 to $5.5 billion in 2019, representing a cumulative increase of 166%.

In providing details of notable areas of increase, GRA noted that alcohol revenues increased from $600 million in 2016 to $1.162 billion in 2019, an increase of 91%. As for tobacco revenues, this increased from $1.4 billion in 2016 to $1.8 billion in 2019, an increase of 24%. With

respect to environmental levy, this was calculated to be $2.1 billion annually after being introduced in 2017.

In keeping with Guyana's greening and environmental policy, GRA had implemented an Environmental Levy with effect from February 1, 2017.

This was based on legislative amendments to the Customs Laws outlined in the 2017 budget. The levy was implemented vide the

amended Section 7A of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, which imposes an environmental levy of $10 on every non-returnable unit of metal, plastic, or glass container of alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages or water, whether imported, locally manufactured or produced in Guyana.

With reference to the increase in revenue for alcohol and tobacco, the tax agency noted that it implemented stern measures that were designed to reduce the illicit trade of these products in Guyana.

To this end, GRA reminded that a secure digital excise stamp solution was launched as a pilot in December 2017 in Guyana on existing inventories for large importers and resellers of alcohol products. GRA had teamed up with Canadian Bank Note (CBN) to implement secure digital tax stamps on excisable products with a view to reducing the amount of alcohol and tobacco products smuggled through Guyana's porous borders. GRA said this measure is an anti-smuggling initiative first rolled out in Region Four to safeguard the

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia.

billions of dollars in Excise Taxes being lost to the illicit trade.

Further to this, GRA noted that in 2019, it had introduced a specific tax on cigarettes as another measure to stymie smuggling of the product. GRA said it had requested the introduction of a specific excise tax of $2,500 per 1,000 sticks on cigarettes and tobacco products.

The agency said this, coupled with the Excise Stamps measure, will help to stem the revenue loss for

GRA and protect the markets of legitimate importers. It should be noted, that the single specific Excise Tax on cigarettes was implemented while retaining the Customs duties and Value Added Tax accordingly.

Looking ahead, GRA said it intends to improve revenue collection in the nearer term by reducing costs, improving operating efficiencies and focusing its resources on the use of technology to provide services that better meet taxpayers' needs and make it easier for them to comply.

“Weed hustler” nabbed after jumping into Demerara River An alleged “weed hustler” who tried to escape police officers on Wednesday by plunging into the Demerara River, was eventually nabbed while hiding in some bushes close to the riverbank.

The man identified as a 29-year-old resident of Anna Catherina, located on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) had jumped into the river around 07:30hrs.

According to a police report, patrol ranks travelling in a pick-up had spotted the man walking along the Craig Public Road, East Bank of Demerara (EBD), carrying a black haversack.

When he saw the ranks, the man reportedly began acting in a suspicious manner, which caught the ranks' attention. As a result, they drove up to him and stopped but before they could utter a word, the man started to run.

He reportedly ran towards the Demerara River and plunged in. The ranks gave chase and after surveilling the area where he

The plastic bag with the suspected marijuana that was found by the patrol ranks. had jumped in for some time, they eventually found him hiding in some bushes close to the riverbank.

This time he did not try to escape, but allowed the officers to search him. They reportedly found nothing on him. However, close by to

where he was hiding they found a yellow plastic bag containing a substance they suspected to be marijuana.

The alleged “weed hustler” was arrested and taken to the Golden Grove Police Station where he remains in custody.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 01, 2021

Two drown after boat capsizes near Chinese Landing A

businessman and a pensioner have reportedly drowned on Wednesday, after an aluminum boat powered by a 15Hp outboard engine capsized in the rapids of the Quarawak Falls, located in the Essequibo River in the vicinity of Chinese Landing, Region Eight.

The boat mishap took place around 1:30Hrs some 22 miles downstream from the Kurupukari Crossing.

Losing their lives as a result of the mishap are Roach Leo, 68, of Fairview, an indigenous village located in the area, and a 53-year-oldbusinessman, Darmindra Dean of Aranaputa Valley, North Rupununi, Region Nine Kaieteur News learned that the boat was at the time transporting goods and passengers to a location along the Essequibo River when tragedy struck.

Man in custody for stabbing brother to death A 28-year-old man of Sea Dam, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), is now in custody for allegedly stabbing his older brother to death on Wednesday night during a confrontation.

Dead is Kevin Samsudeen, 33, who resided in the same area and who succumbed to injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) y e s t e r d a y, a t a r o u n d 07:25hrs. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported that the suspect came home drunk on the night of the incident and told his 61-year-old mother that he is hungry and that he wants her to serve him food.

This publication understands that the woman denied her son's request and as such, the suspect became annoyed, threw the pot with the food to the ground, and started to abuse her verbally.

The deceased, who lives next door heard the argument and went over to his mother's house to which he intervened.

After demanding that his brother desist from verbally abusing their mother, the suspect responded by asking his brother if he wants to do something about it and the victim replied, “If you want do something, come do it.”

The police reported that the suspect was armed with a black knife and, after the argument escalated, walked up to his brother and stabbed him several times.

An alarm was raised and the police were called in. The police in an initial report had stated that ranks went to the area, where the suspect was apprehended and was told of the allegation made against

The knife used to stab Samsudeen to his abdomen. him and cautioned him. The suspect said “He does always beat me, and me family don't want me go station, so me get fed up and bore he.” The detectives have since recovered the weapon and the suspect remains in custody at the Leonora Police Station as investigations continue.

The Toushao of Fairview, Bradford Allicock, related that survivors had related that a wave from the rapids had knocked the boat over after its engine reportedly sucked air.

They reported that the captain was steering the vessel through the rapids up the falls when the motor accidently tilted up.

Without power to propel the boat through the rapids at that moment, a wave struck them and knocked the boat

over. The captain along with others managed to swim to safety but Dean and Leo went under and failed to surface.

Region Eight ranks formed a search party to look for the men's bodies.

So far, they located Dean's remains yesterday around 14:00Hrs stuck in some vegetation on the right side of the River.

Up to press time, they were still searching the area to locate Leo's body.

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Dead businessman, Darmindra Dean

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Friday October 01, 2021

Police hunt man who post ex-girlfriend's nudes on TikTok Members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are hunting for an Albouystown man, who allegedly posted a series of nude photographs of his ex-girlfriend on TikTok. According to the police, the suspect was in a relationship with a 21-yearold female, and during the relationship, the woman had sent nude photos and videos of herself from her cellular phone to the suspect's cellular phone.

The woman told the police that during the early part of September 2021, the suspect accused her of being unfaithful and as such, she opted to end the relationship with him. However, despite the fact that the suspect accused the woman of being unfaithful, the suspect refused to end the relationship and he threatened to post all of her nude photos and videos on social media.

Kaieteur News understands that on September 27, 2021, while the woman was checking through videos on the social media platform, TikTok, she came across a video with several nude photos of herself. The woman reported that the explicit photos that were on TikTok were posted on the suspect's profile.

The woman then reported the matter to the Leonora Police Station and an

investigation was launched into the matter.

The offence that the suspect reportedly committed is using a computer system to humiliate or harass a person.

This offence falls under the Cybercrime Act. Cybercrime is the use of a computer to carry out illegal acts. Cybercrimes are usually done with the use of the internet and the different instruments that it has available. Some Cybercrime offences in Guyana are: illegal access to a computer system, child pornography, offences against the State, publication or transmission of images of private parts of a person and using a computer system to coerce, harass, intimidate, humiliate, etc., a person.

According to the Cybercrime Act, “Using a computer to publish or transmit computer data that is obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious or indecent with intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to another person.”

The law outlines that, “A person who commits an offence under this section is liable – (a) on summary conviction to a fine of five million dollars and imprisonment for three years; and (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine of ten million.”

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Charlestown house destroyed by fire Scenes of the aftermath of the fire

Fire destroyed the upper flat of a two-storied concrete and wooden building, Lot 43 Broad and Russell Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, on Wednesday evening.

Firefighters were able to control the blaze.

Rudolph Gravesande, the property owner who lives in the bottom flat of the building, said he was standing on the pavement when a child alerted him that his house was on fire. “When I reverse back to the yard, I look up and I see the bedroom on fire,” Gravesande said.

Gravesande alerted his neighbours and they all hurried to help rescue valuables and other

household items from the bottom flat of the building.

When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene, around 18:54 hrs, the blaze had already been contained, but Broad Street was littered with the household items and appliances that were saved from the building, Gravesande noted that nothing from the upper flat was saved.

His tenant, a man with a disability, who was not in the building at the time of the fire, occupies the upper flat.

The Divisional Officerin-Charge of Operations at the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Haimchandra Persaud, told reporters at the

Scores of people gather at the scene.

scene that firefighters had not yet been able to determine the cause of the fire. Persaud further stated that the fire report was made at 18:29 hrs., and that three fire tenders responded immediately, therefore, the blaze did not spread to the bottom flat nor to the wooden buildings in close proximity.

“I would want to compliment my ranks for the job well done,” Persaud said.

Persaud also indicted that Guyana is currently experiencing a drier season and as such, he cautioned all persons to be more conscious of their actions so that they can prevent such disastrous occurrences.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 01, 2021

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If you are not at work, you will not be paid -AG F

o l l o w i n g concerns that were raised in relation to the salaries of unvaccinated workers who are being denied entry to their place of work after they fail to produce a negative PCR test, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, on Tuesday night said, “If you are not coming to work, you have not earned those wages and you will not be paid.”

During his weekly program, “Issues in the news” the AG stated that the issue concerning the salary of those who are unvaccinated, without a negative PCR test, makes no sense, and have no basis in law.

According to the Minister, workers have been claiming that when their employers deduct money from their salaries their rights are being violated under the termination of employment act.

“The Act says that you can be sanctioned and one of those sanctions can be a

guidelines would prevail due to the fact that it is later in time.

M o r e o v e r, K a i e t e u r News had reported that in light of the statements that persons have been making contending that the government is infringing on their individual rights, the AG had explained during a previous program that public health and public good

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall deduction of your wages.

Now there is no deduction in your wages, you are not coming to work, wages is something that is earned,” Minister Nandlall further noted.

The AG explained that if there is a conflict between the COVID-19 guidelines and any other law, the COVID-19

prevails over individual rights.

“In relation to COVID-19 public health measures which are being taken under the public health ordinance or legislation are valid. The fundamental rights of an individual must bend and bow to the importance of public health and the public good,” Minister Nandlall had said.

The Minister also explained, “Individual rights and freedom are not absolute, but must be curtailed, so that the public good and the rights and freedom of others are respected.”

He further noted that the public health of the citizens of a society are of paramount importance and must prevail over individual rights.

According to the

Minister, every individual has the freedom to move as he or she may wish, but noted that if that individual wishes to enter a particular building, they must observe the rules governing entry of that building.

“If the rule says that you must produce a vaccine card and you don't have the vaccine card, well, too bad,” the AG added.

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Friday October 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

Controversial Chinese company rebids for Amaila Falls Hydro Project FOR RENT

VEHICLES FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Spacio, Blue Bird, Field Wagon, 212, Carina, RZ, Pit Bull and Canter.

Tel#650-7501.

2 and 3 bedroom apartment house unfurnish and furnish, Vreed-en-hoop, Providence, Diamond. Call:604-6664,2162299.

Two bedroom house for rent in Parfaite Harmonie,West Bank Demerara. Call:6840159.

SERVICES

WANTED

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 House plan drawing and estimate. Call K.Lakeram, Building Contractor 2160671,692-8464/Whatsapp 622-0267.

Truck Drivers,tutor for 10 yrs old.Contact:223-5273/74.

Appliance repairs/service for Refrigerator,Washing Machine, Stove, Treadmill, Dryer, Pressure pump, Oven, Deep Fryer.Call:694-9733.

Appliance/equipment repairs and service to Bakery, Restaurant,Hospital equipment, Remote gate, Backwash & filtration system. Call:6949733.

FOR SALE 2017 Toyota CH-R,low mileage. Excellent condition.

Call:657-9237.

Sale!Sale! One mini Yacht 20"feet, 140 single engine works with gasoline $3,000,000 negotiable 6766238.

TRUCK DRIVERS TO WORK WITHIN THE INTERIOR. MUST KNOW TO OPERATE BEDFORD TM TRUCKS. CONTACT 2235273,223-5274.

Labourers to work on cash crop farm,Salary $4,500$6000 per day. Tel:695-6139/ 638-7420.

Male & Female worker for car wash in town.Call:669-4676.

Security officers Male & Female 18+ Lamaha St,between Waterloo & Parade. Call:2234172.

Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast.

Tel:673-7087.

Controversial Chinese construction company, China Railway Group Limited, which was blacklisted by the World Bank in September 2019 for allegedly breaching procurement guidelines, is one of four companies which submitted proposals for the 165 megawatt (MW) Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

The procuring entity was the Office of the Prime Minister who holds responsibility for the energy portfolio.

Construction of the Amaila Falls Project is expected to commence next year after being stalled for years from when it was first proposed. The project did not commence back then due to issues of feasibility and lack of transparency.

Specifically, the project was stalled in 2013 after the Opposition-controlled National Assembly refused to

about the involvement of the Chinese firm in a significant corruption case.

Another company, which submitted a proposal was Sinohydro Corporation Limited, which is another China-owned construction company.

This company was awarded the US$31.03M IDB Project for the Sheriff StreetMandela Avenue expansion in December 2017. In 2019, the IDB had stopped payments to the Chinese contractor for several infringements.

A third China-owned Company that submitted a

proposal was China Gezhouba Group Company Limited. It is a construction and engineering company based in Wuhan and was founded in 2006.This company was one of the nine companies that were shortlisted to build the new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The last company to bid was Rialma S.A, a Brazilian owned company. This company was founded in 1998 and has operations in the construction sector and power generation projects.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Office of the Prime Minister Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

VACANCY Vacancy for 1 professional and experience hairdresser located on East Bank Demerara Grove Market Street.Call:652-5800.

Ministry of Labour Rehabilitation works to the Statistics Department and Annex.

Persons to assemble bicycle.

Apply at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.

Trained grade 1 & 2 teachers needed. Payment will commence with experience and will be in 6 digit, 623-1615.

Carpenters & Painters.Apply at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.

Seamstres,Tailor wanted. Vacancy exist for mainteTell:691-1918 whatsapp. nance workers and labourers.

Contact:621-6969/ 615-7784.

Professional,polite,neatly attired license riders with or For a porter,truck drivers/ without bike for a delivery salesman.Experiences will be service.Call:642-6832. an asset.Contact:661-1000.

Seeking person to wash and clean at a hotel in the interior Call 677-3891

Porters,TM log Truck drivers, Chainsaw & Mill operator. Call:609-7675/674-1705.

One bedroom apartment with bath & living room.

Cummings Lodge E.C.D. Call:222-0401 or 673-2467 whatsapp 516-805-2048.

One male able bodied clerk. Hardware & Home Decor Call:225-2313,226-1497.

Sales rep at Innovations America. Contact Rohan Counter Clerk to work in char#226-9416/19. Experience will ity. Contact 223-5273 / 223be an asset.

5274.

One male clerk. Call:231- Vacancy exist for cashier at Innovations America. Con2029,616-5957. Genuine. tact Rohan #226-9416/19.

Fitter/Machinist,Welder Fabricator, Mechanic, Ap- Vacancy exist for bond deprentice. Apply in person livery personnel/porter at at:Technical Services, Indus- Innovations America. Contact Rohan #226-9416/19. trial Site Eccles.

Domestic- live-in or live- Vacancy for: 1.Skilled Mason out,cashiers. Contact: 623- 2.Skilled Carpenter. Contact:602-9467,657-5800,6666383 2857.

Enmore mall commercial space for medical facility. Call centre and any other type of business 609-7675/674-1705.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Car/ Van licence. Call 642-9823.

TO LET

pass key environment legislation required for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to approve part of the required financing.

China Railway was founded in 1950, and is part of the China Railway Engineering Group (CREG), which is one of the largest construction companies in China.

The PPP/C Government had intended, years ago, to have this company develop the project with money coming from Norway, China and the IDB. However, a Norwegian Ethics Council had raised questions

VACANCY Driver & Porter to travel in and out of the interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call:231-2250.

One clerk for Eccles office , grade 1 or 2 in Maths & English knowledge of Quickbooks. Call: 642-9823 oremail:techserigy @yahoo.com.

Ministry of Public Works Rehabilitation of Main Access Road, Bloomfield.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposal for the Development of an Environmental Management System for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Friday October 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 01, 2021

Three more unvaccinated persons die of COVID-19 The Ministry of Health yesterday reported that three more persons, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) disease, have died. Because of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 786.

The latest fatalities the Ministry reported are those of an unvaccinated woman and two unvaccinated men.

The fatalities are a 74-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), a 68-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 69-year-old man from Region One (Barima-Waini).

According to the Ministry, all three

persons died over a four-day period (September 26 to 29), while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, in its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry reported that during the last 24-hour period, 189 new infections were recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 31,827.

Presently there are 32 patients admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 140 persons in institutional isolation, 3,839 in home isolation and nine in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 27,030 persons who tested positive for the virus have recovered.

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Friday October 01, 2021

Qatar awarded its first EVER F1 Grand Prix as the Gulf State agrees a 10-YEAR deal from 2023 Mailonline - Formula One has signed an eye-watering £600million deal to take the sport to Qatar on a long-term basis. The announcement came yesterday, with the inaugural grand prix on November 21 due to replace the Australian race that fell foul of Covid restrictions.

After a pause in 2022, Qatar’s bumper 10-year contract will kick in from 2023.

Sportsmail understands the hosting fee of at least £60m annually makes it one of the sport’s largest such deals ever, possibly even eclipsing the recent tie-up with Saudi Arabia.

The average fee across

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Kaieteur News

the world is £25m, with old tracks such as Silverstone and Monza paying around ‘just’ £15m a year in recognition of their historical significance and limited resources.

To the horror of human rights groups, yesterday’s addition takes the number of races to be held in the Gulf region to four. Bahrain, who were first to join the roster in 2004, and Abu Dhabi complete the states accused of ‘sportswashing’.

A spokesman for Amnesty International said: ‘Having sunk vast amounts of money into

2021 Bahrain Grand Prix Paris Saint-Germain and hired thousands of overseas workers to build stadiums for next year’s World Cup, Qatar is clearly attempting to turn itself

Friday October 01, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You can get many things accomplished today. The energy is very high intensity. Be careful about manipulating others. No one appreciates being ordered about, so be tactful.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Take control of your decisions today. People might tell you what direction to take and what choice is best for you, but ultimately you're the one who knows best.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're likely to have some intense experiences today.

So what else is new? More people are receptive to your deep, investigative nature and they want to join you in your search.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You have a tremendous amount of physical vitality today, so use it constructively. Listen more closely to the things around you the people, music, words, and even the birds.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Forcefulness may not be a usual part of your nature, but if there is a day in which you feel comfortable throwing your weight around, today is it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You have a great deal of power today, so use it wisely. No one likes a bully.

Don't resort to grade-school tactics. Create friends, not enemies. Use your strength and leadership skills to help others instead of arguing with them.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Dive deep into yourself today. Bring more of your spirit into your universe. Realize that if you stay focused on one topic for just a little bit longer, you can extract another bit of knowledge.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your words have tremendous impact today, so think before you speak. It's easy to hurt others' feelings if you don't take them into account.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) There are important lessons to learn today, so listen closely. You may have been thinking other people should grow up. Even if you haven't spoken those words to them directly, you've thought them to yourself.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If you need to do any serious investigative work, today's the day for it. Your powers of concentration are stronger than normal and you're more interested in what lies below the surface.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today seems to have a rather aggressive atmosphere. Things may heat up quite a bit, so be prepared for blasts of intense energy coming at you from others.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You'll feel forceful today, so use this energy to plow through any projects and get ahead in the game.

You're definitely the ruler of everything you come in contact with.

into a sporting superpower.

‘Qatar’s human rights record is extremely troubling — from its longstanding mistreatment of migrant workers, to its curbs on free speech and criminalisation of same-sex relations. ‘Formula One should insist all contracts pertaining to this race contain stringent labour standards across all supply chains.’

A Formula One spokesman said they took their responsibilities ‘very seriously’ and that Amnesty’s demands had already been enshrined in the contract. It is the view of F1’s new chief executive Stefano Domenicali that his sport should act as a force for good by shining a light on international concerns and insisting high standards are met.

The deal is a massive boost for F1’s finances after the battering they took in the pandemic, with fees last year greatly reduced as owners Liberty Media scrambled to stage 17 races.

Confirmation of Qatar’s inclusion takes this season to a pocket-filling 22 rounds.

The Qataris have been interested in staging a race for a number of years.

Their chance came with Covid shaking up the calendar. There were no great objections from their neighbouring F1 hosts.

Next month’s event will be held at the Losail International Circuit in Doha at twilight under floodlights. The hiatus in 2022 allows time for a bespoke permanent track to be prepared.

Domenicali took a whistlestop trip to Doha to meet executives from the race’s s p o n s o r s , telecommunications giant Ooredoo and Qatar’s culture minister. He confirmed the partnership in front of local media on Wednesday.

...The most inclusive and thorough consultation process From page 27 because it provided both FIFA Council members and over 200 FIFA member associations with the opportunity to make proposals, to ask questions and to debate issues in an open and transparent way,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the four-hour meeting. “We want to adopt a holistic approach with a global approach to this project. FIFA has one event that lasts one month every four years that is helping to develop football in 211 member associations and the other FIFA competitions. FIFA has ambitions for football development across the entire world, but these can only be realised if we have more successful events taking place on a more regular basis. The

new FIFA is open for this type of dialogue as we strive to find the best possible solution for women’s, men’s and youth football going forward, both in terms of international match calendar and final tournaments reform.”

The FIFA President outlined the timeline of the consultation process, which kicked off in a first phase with football players and coaches, and has now moved into a second phase involving member associations, confederations and stakeholders, especially fans.

Subsequently, a comprehensive report will be published in November 2021 before a global summit will be staged before the end of the year.

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Friday October 01, 2021

Unruh and Williams win Archery World Cup recurve crowns Lisa Unruh Jack Williams

Insidethegames - Lisa Unruh and Jack Williams are A r c h e r y Wo r l d C u p champions for the first time after winning the women’s a n d m e n ’s r e c u r v e tournaments and the end-ofseason finale in Yankton.

Germany’s Unruh faced Tokyo 2020 silver medallist

Elena Osipova - able to compete under a Russian flag in South Dakota, unlike at the Olympics - in a tense final. Despite taking a twoset lead early on, Unruh was pegged back and a tiebreak was ultimately needed to decide the winner.

Osipova found a 10 with

Brazil legend Pele leaves hospital after surgery

her lone arrow but Unruh’s subsequent shot was closer, handing her the win. “It’s a great end to the season,” Unruh said. “I didn’t dream it would be so successful and now I’m happy to head on holiday.”

Fellow German Michelle Kroppen, who Unruh beat in

the semi-finals, came third beating India’s Deepika Kumari, again in a singlearrow tiebreak where Kumari could only hit a six.

In an all-American men’s

final, Brady Ellison was denied a record-equalling sixth World Cup crown by 21-year-old Williams.

After beating Olympic champion Mete Gazoz in the

s e m i - f i n a l s , Wi l l i a m s overcame Ellison in yet another match which went to a tiebreak. Ellison hit a string nine, but Williams’ 10 was golden.

England fielded a back-up ODI squad against Pakistan in July after a Covid outbreak Getty Images

Pele is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals

BBCsport - Brazil legend Pele has been released from hospital after undergoing surgery for a colon tumour. The 80-yearold had the operation at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on 4 September.

Pele, the only player to win the World Cup three times, left the intensive care unit 10 days later, but was readmitted soon after as a “preventative measure”. “I am so happy to be back at home,” Pele said in a statement on Facebook.

“I want to thank the entire Albert Einstein Hospital team, who made my stay a pleasant one, with a humane and very a ff e c t i o n a t e w e l c o m e .

Thanks also to all of you, who from afar, make my life complete with so many messages of love.” His medical team say he will

continue undergoing chemotherapy.

Pele had been having treatment at the hospital since 31 August after the tumour was detected in routine tests. His health has been a concern in recent years. He had prostate surgery in 2015 after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months, and he was admitted again for a urinary infection in 2019.

Pele is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games and one of only four players to have scored in four World Cup tournaments. Lionel Messi recently passed him as the leading South American men’s scorer in international matches following a hattrick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifying win against Bolivia.

England’s tour of Netherlands rescheduled for June 2022

E

SPNcricinfo - England’s men face having to pick two separate squads for international cricket next summer after their three World Cup Super League ODIs against Netherlands were rescheduled for June. The tour had originally been due to take place in May 2020 but was a casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The matches, to be played at the VRA ground in Amstelveen, will take place on June 17, 19 and 22 - in the gap between the second and third New Zealand Tests at Trent Bridge and Headingley.

There is already a large degree of separation between England’s red- and white-ball squads, with a handful of

players - such as Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer - used regularly across all three formats. England have greater depth in limited-overs cricket, and beat Pakistan 3-0 earlier this year after having to select an entirely new squad due to a Covid outbreak.

The ECB came under fire last week after pulling out of planned men’s and women’s tours to Pakistan, citing player welfare issues. But there have been few other attempts to address an overloaded playing schedule.

The board is understood to have already reached an agreement with the BCCI to stage the postponed Old Trafford Test next summer, following India’s early withdrawal from their tour over Covid fears.

England men’s fixture list for 2022 leaves little room for manoeuvre, with three Tests against New Zealand in June, followed by ODI and T20I series against India and a full South Africa tour, which concludes in midSeptember.

Netherlands are bottom of the World Cup Super League, having seen much of their programme wrecked by the pandemic.

They have only managed to play one series out of six since the qualifying process began, beating Ireland 2-1 in June to collect 20 Super League points. England are top with 95 points from 15 matches. The top eight teams will qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup.

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Friday October 01, 2021

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Guyanese Hassan delighted IJF confirms “solidarity” with century in Canada as theme for World Judo

F

ormer Essequibo U-15 player Salim Hassan has expressed delight with his century (105) which enabled his team Leguan Warriors to a convincing 83-run win over Miss Phoebe Cricket Club in the 2021 Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) 20overs semi-final Regular Season competition match at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough, Toronto.

Leguan Warriors were the eventual champions in the Consolation category beating Three Counties by 24 runs at the same venue last Sunday when they collided in the final. In that grand finale, the right-handed hard-hitting middle-order batsman Hassan contributed a useful 46.

“I am happy to be on the winning team this year; I think we played competitive cricket and was not surprised we would have come out on top,” Hassan, who was born in Wakenaam, related.

Hassan said he is looking for greater success. “Definitely, I will continue to play the game I love representing Appalo Cricket Club that features in the Etobicoke Cricket League tournament, I am looking forward to continue scoring heavily” he declared.

Hassan also scored three centuries before

Salim Hassan

this but in the USA where he first started playing professionally. He migrated to Canada several years ago but was not actively involved in the sport until last year.

Meanwhile, the OSCL will stage a fixture between All-Stars and winners Mercenary also at Ashtonbee and a large number of Guyanese softball players are expected to be on show. Mercenary are the champions side having disposed of Canadian Legends.

Chris Gayle leaves IPL bubble to stay fresh for T20 World Cup ESPNcricinfo - Punjab Kings have announced that Chris Gayle will be leaving the IPL bio-bubble due to bubble fatigue. Having just arrived from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) bubble, Gayle said he was looking to mentally refresh himself ahead of the T20 World Cup next month.

“Over the last few months, I have been a part of the CWI bubble, CPL bubble followed by the IPL bubble, and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself,” Gayle said in a statement. “I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai. My thanks to the Punjab Kings for giving me the time off. My wishes and hopes are with the squad always. All the very best for the games coming up.”

Only six players have played more T20 matches this year than Gayle’s 37, which have come for four teams - West Indies, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Quetta Gladiators, and Kings. The 42-year-old played in two of Kings’ three matches since the IPL resumed in the UAE. The Kings statement said Gayle is expected to be in Dubai before joining the West Indies squad for the World Cup that begins on October 17.

“I’ve played against Chris and have coached him at Punjab Kings and all through the years I’ve known him, he has always been an absolute professional and we as a team respect his decision and desire to prepare himself for the T20 World Cup,” Anil Kumble, head coach of Kings, said.

Gayle isn’t the first marquee cricketer over the last few months to have taken a break from bubble life. Ben Stokes pulled out of the England Test squad, missing their series against India, and Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and David Warner all pulled out of the Hundred earlier this year.

The IPL, too, has had a number of withdrawals for the same reason already.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, player withdrawals due to bubble fatigue have been a feature in many tournaments and series across the world. Several of the withdrawals have had less to do with the fear of contracting Covid-19 and more with the demands of jumping from one stringent bubble to the other, with restricted movement and a life confined to hotels.

Day 2021 Insidethegames - The International Judo Federation (IJF) has confirmed “solidarity” as the theme of this year’s World Judo Day as the organisation looks to highlight efforts to come together in the face of global crisis.

Held on October 28, the annual event aims to celebrate the endeavours of the judo community to unite during hardships. This year’s theme follows the 2020 edition’s “stronger together” message which was chosen in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and racism felt across the world.

“As if catastrophe weren’t enough, the world has been faced with other destructive plagues, political crises which threw thousands of refugees on the roads and climatic crises which endangered the very nature of life, continued to swarm over our heads,” a statement from the IJF read.

“Yet all is not gloomy and there are many reasons to hope and dream.

“Celebrating solidarity between peoples at the very heart of our societies, beyond differences, is part of this hope that the judo community is keen to

promote.

“In 2020, we celebrated WJD around the theme ‘together we are stronger’.

“What better theme to complete this than that of solidarity; a solidarity that we want active and real.”

The IJF said it was keen to highlight the work of its projects, including Judo for Peace, Judo for Refugees, Judo for Children and Judo for All. “With the notion of solidarity, it is important to associate those of altruism, generosity and charity,” the IJF statement added. “Alone we cannot do much, but together it becomes possible to overthrow mountains.

“On October 28 2021, we will celebrate the ability of the judo family to come together around its values and its ability to share them with as many people as

possible.

“We invite you, at your level, whether at the individual level or that of your club or your federation, to think of solidarity by telling yourself that the hand you extend today may be the one you need tomorrow.

“Often solidarity is limited within a group, between its members.

“Some would even like to reduce it to an inter-self that does not correspond to what judo teaches us. “In judo, we are committed to acting together as far as our capacities for action allow.

“To speak and act in solidarity is to be open to others, it is to have a philosophical and humanist approach to society, it is to give in order to receive better and thus to maintain a virtuous circle beneficial for all.”

The most inclusive and thorough consultation process that football has ever seen FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that FIFA is undertaking the “most inclusive and thorough consultation process that the world of football has ever seen on a global basis” during the first FIFA member associations online summit to address the need for reforms to the current international match calendars (IMC) as mandated by the 71st FIFA Congress in May 2021.

The summit, which included detailed presentations from FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger and two-time FIFA Wo m e n ’s Wo r l d C u p winning coach Jill Ellis, who has assumed the role of FIFA Technical Advisory Group

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

leader for women’s football, provided the platform for FIFA member associations to share their views as part of the ongoing consultation in relation to the future IMC.( The IMC sets the dates of national team matches and the days in which the players must be released by their

clubs to join international squads. It therefore has a central role in the sustainable growth of football in all regions of the world and at all levels.

“This first summit was an important step in the consultation process, (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 01, 2021

Rio Olympics: System to manipulate outcome of boxing matches by officials in place at 2016 Games

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BCsport - A system to manipulate the outcome of boxing matches by officials was in place at the Rio 2016 Olympics, an independent investigation has found.

Professor Richard McLaren, the head of the investigation commissioned by the sport’s world governing body AIBA, said the “seeds had been sown” years before.

“Suspicious” bouts included defeats for Great Britain’s Joe Joyce and Ireland’s Michael Conlan.

The AIBA said it noted the investigation’s reports with “concern”. The investigation also reported that qualifiers for the 2016 Games were the “practice ground” in which manipulation methods were “fine-tuned”.

The investigation found there were two bouts that “caused the system to publicly collapse” including the bantamweight quarter-final between Conlan and Vladimir Nikitin from Russia.

Conlan was the reigning world and European champion at the time, and his defeat led to public outcry after he had appeared to win the bout comfortably.

The other was the gold medal heavyweight match between Russia’s Evgeny Tischenko and Kazakhstan’s Vasily Levit. The findings also call into question the

final of the men’s super heavyweight division between Joyce and France’s Tony Yoka, in which Joyce won silver.

The investigation indicates there were approximately 11 bouts in total that were “suspicious” and there “may be others”.

“I’m delighted,” Conlan told BBC Sport NI. “It’s five years on and has been a long time coming. I didn’t expect this to happen.

“The fact it has been done and my fight has been called up - it’s not news to me but it’s good news.

It’s a massive day for boxing and for Olympic sport. “The black mark of Rio will always be there and I think if I hadn’t said what I said and done what I did this p r o b a b l y w o u l d n ’t b e happening now.

“I think it’s a huge day for amateur boxing and especially for the guys who suffered in Rio, including myself. It is vindication.”

Ex-president ‘bears ultimate responsibility’ Professor McLaren was appointed to investigate the Rio 2016 allegations in June as part of the AIBA’s steps under new president Umar Kremlev - to reform the sport.

After an investigation by the International Olympic Committee, the IOC suspended the AIBA in 2017, banning it from organising

Vladimir Nikitin defeated Michael Conlan in the 2016 Olympic quarter-final the Tokyo 2020 boxing competition. Professor McLaren - who investigated state-sponsored doping in Russia - found the manipulation structure within the AIBA was made possible because key personnel decided the rules did not apply to them.

He said the AIBA’s thenpresident Wu Ching-kuo “bears ultimate responsibility for the failures of officiating at Rio and the qualifying events”, and that Wu was supported by his executive director Karim Bouzidi in Rio. “The executive director seized powers belonging to the permanent commissions.

The commissions would let this happen as did the president,” said McLaren.

“Once having acquired the

power, he would oversee the appointment of referees and judges (R&Js) that knew what was going on but would comply with the manipulation or who were incompetent but wanted to continue as an R&J so were willing to comply or turn a blind eye to what was going on.”

Wu w a s h a n d e d a lifetime ban by the AIBA in 2018.

“Boxing has a problem, it’s not about the rules and processes. It’s a people problem. For too long people have worked outside the rules,” said McLaren. In a short period of time, the AIBA changed its R&J system from judges being nominated by their own international federations, to an accredited 1-3 star system

with the later addition of seven independently contracted 5-star permanent R&Js. This led to “poorly trained” R&Js being “preyed upon by those who had corrupt motives”. In Rio, the executive director selected all of the R&Js. Corrupt members of the draw commission would influence the selection process, “so that the ‘right’ R&Js were in a position to officiate the bout as directed”.

In a statement, president Kremlev said: “I am determined to ensure that boxers receive a fair fight.

This determination is demonstrated by AIBA’s clear commitment to uncovering the truth and acting on it.

“We must now carefully

examine the report and see what steps are needed to ensure justice. What is important is that we make sure the mechanisms are in place to show that results are above suspicion.”

Further reports on the investigation will be provided in November and then March 2022. “AIBA hired Professor McLaren because we have nothing to hide,” added president Kremlev. “We will work to incorporate any helpful recommendations that are made. We will also take legal advice with regard to what action is possible against those found to have participated in any manipulation. “There should be no place in the AIBA family for anyone who has fixed a fight.”

LeBron James got coronavirus vaccine after initial scepticism LeBron James’ LA Lakers won the NBA title in 2020.

(Getty Images)

BBCsport - Basketball great LeBron James says he decided to get the coronavirus vaccine because it “best suited” him, his family and his friends. The 36-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star said he researched the vaccine before receiving it, having originally been “very sceptical”.

It has been reported 90% of NBA players have been vaccinated prior to the new season beginning on 19 October. Some have refused to confirm their status or say they will not be jabbed. James said it was not his place to judge others, or persuade people to get the injection.

“I don’t talk about other people and what they should do,” said the fourtime NBA champion. “I know that I was very sceptical about it all but after doing my own research I felt like it was best suited for me and my family and my friends. “That’s why I decided to do it.”

The NBA does not require players to receive a vaccine, but they will be subject to local health protocols. New York requires people over the age of 12 to have at least one dose of a vaccine to

attend indoor events, including sporting events, while fans in San Francisco cannot attend indoor events unless they are fully inoculated.

New York and San Francisco also require professional athletes to show proof of one dose to play indoors, unless they have religious or medical exemption. Andrew Wiggins will not be able to play home matches for the Golden State Warriors after the league rejected his request for a religious exemption.

Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal said he was unvaccinated for “personal reasons”, while Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets said he would keep his decision private. “I don’t feel like I should get involved in what people do for their bodies and their livelihoods,” James said.

“You’re talking about individual’s bodies. You’re not talking about something that’s political, or racism, or police brutality. You’re talking about people’s well-being. “I know what I did for me and my family. But as far as speaking for everybody and what they want to do, that’s not my job.”

Kaieteur News

Friday October 01, 2021

GFF/Vryman’s Erven Ground Dressing Room Project to be completed in three weeks

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ith football not being able to return to any level of competitiveness owing to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, the Guyana Football Federation has been forging ahead with a number of construction projects which will enhance the quality of on field play when normalcy is restored.

The Federation has also been, through its Regional Members Associations (RMA), forging ahead with the start of the Academy Training Centre’s which will be the hub/foundation of player’s development from the Under-11 to 20 levels.

On Sunday last, in a fan out of a few ongoing projects, GFF President, Wayne Forde visited the Changing Room Facility for players and officials being constructed at the Vryman’s Erven Ground, New Amsterdam.

This facility is similar to

the one being done at the Ann’s Grove Community Ground and is expected to be completed in another three weeks time.

This ground will be the home for football in the Ancient County as the GFF was able to sign a 30-year lease with the Mayor and Town Council of Berbice in 2017 and the first phase of development of that facility is the ongoing project which is being funded by the FIFA 2020 Covid-19 Grant for Wo m e n ’s F o o t b a l l Development.

Forde reminded that the GFF is investing in female friendly facilities which seek to address the lack of proper facilities (dressing & wash room) at venues across Guyana that encourages more females to attend and play football.

“We will be making these investments in at least one venue in each of our Regional Associations over the next couple of years that

is equipped with the basic amenities for female football. We believe that that will have a huge impact on g i r l s a n d w o m e n ’s participation in the game.”

Forde expressed pleasure at the progress of works being undertaken by Team Wanted Construction under the guidance of Project Engineer, Mr. Samuel Holder.

Like the Ann’s Grove project, construction would

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GFF and BFA President’s Wayne and Sherwin Forde Inspecting the Vryman’s Erven Changing Room Facility for players and officials funded by FIFA under the 2020 Covid-19 Grant for Women’s Football Development.

have been hampered by the ongoing covid-19 pandemic and the extended rainy season but the principals are pushing ahead and capitalising on the current sunny weather.

Berbice FA President Sherwin Forde who accompanied the GFF President and Executive Member Dion Inniss on the visit said that his Association would have been working beyond the call of duty to

ensure the project is successfully completed and at a high standard.

“This facility will mean a lot to the people in Berbice, we have long been waiting for something of this magnitude so that we can take the sport another level.

The facilities that we would have been using around our Association is much more open and we needed facility where the people of Berbice can feel

comfortable, the players can feel comfortable, the officials can feel comfortable. So having this here, I personally think it’s a great initiative and would be a great asset to the people of Berbice.”

Forde also disclosed that the players and fans are all excited to see the completion of the facility and subsequently, the ground being upgraded for competition and play.

Dwayne Bravo, Josh Hazlewood lead dominant CSK into playoffs

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SPNcricinfo Chennai Super Kings stormed into the playoffs with a six-wicket victory over the now eliminated Sunrisers Hyderabad.

While they are yet to be assured of a top-two spot, which offers two shots at a place in the final, the progress MS Dhoni’s men have shown this IPL season suggests that target may not be too far off their reach.

DJ in da house Sunrisers were restricted to a meagre 134 for 7 yesterday and this is how it happened.

The match was played on a fresh Sharjah pitch. It remains unhelpfully slow but early on it also offered sideways movement.

So Dhoni was prompted to do something he rarely ever does. He turned to Dwayne Bravo (4-0-17-2). It was only the sixth time in five years that the West Indies allrounder was on as early as the seventh over of an IPL game. But there was a reason for this and its name was Kane Williamson.

Josh Hazlewood and Dwayne Bravo rattled Sunrisers Hyderabad. BCCI The Sunrisers captain came into the game with an

immense record against Super Kings - 327 runs at an

average of 47 and strike rate of 145. Taking him out early

means wrecking 90% of their batting plans. (Jason Roy had already been dismissed). So, Dhoni went to his “champion” and he obliged with a lovely outswinger that moved late, beat the bat, struck the pad and got the wicket.

The Super Kings squeeze - Sunrisers were now in a horrible predicament. Their best batters were back in the hut.

There were still 13.3 overs to face. And their opposition has a long and storied history of exploiting slow pitches.

Super Kings went 48 balls without giving away a single boundary between the sixth and the 14th overs, with Ravindra Jadeja at the forefront of that squeeze.

The left-arm spinner looked unhittable as he attacked the stumps, taking all the pace off and getting just enough turn. He finished with figures of 3-0-14-1.

Josh Hazlewood then thrived at the death, picking up two wickets in three balls, as Sunrisers, having made it to the end of the powerplay

on 41 for 1, just fizzled out.

The Super Kings cruise - The rise of Ruturaj Gaikwad has been remarkable. When he first came along, he seemed rather ill-fitting with the needs of T20 cricket. A batter who didn’t have a power game, and worse who didn’t even bother to look for those big hits. All those fifties he made last season to pick up consolation victories came at about a run a ball.

Cut to 2021 and Gaikwad (45 off 38) is not just looking for the big hits, he’s executing them better than virtually any other opener out there. His 75-run partnership with Faf du Plessis (41 off 36) broke the back of a small chase and ensured even a little hiccup towards the end - three wickets in eight balls - didn’t matter.

Chennai Super Kings 139 for 4 (Gaikwad 45, du Plessis 41, Holder 3-27) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 134 for 7 (Saha 44, Hazlewood 324, Bravo 2-17) by six wickets.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Friday October 01, 2021

Pele FC Alumni saddened by the senseless murder of Scholarship Recipient, Joshua Denny

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e was one of the six Scholarship Recipients and was also in the first batch of two when it was launched back in 2015 when the Pele FC Alumni hosted a football tournament t GFC to commemorate its 45th Anniversary.

A young and promising life was senselessly snuffed out yesterday morning when gunmen robbed and shot 19 year-old Joshua Denny whilst on his way to work. The news of Denny’s sudden demise a few doors away from his Festival City, North Ruimveldt home, rocked the football fraternity here and the Diaspora.

Executive members of the Pele FC Alumni were left dumfounded when they received the news of the former Camptown Football Club player, Dennis Carrington explained.

“We were really shocked to learn of Joshua’s passing as he was still benefitting as a scholarship awardee who was attending electrical classes in the evening at the Guyana Industrial Training Centre, Woolford Avenue.”

It was on his way to work yesterday morning that he met his demise at the hands of criminal elements that robbed him of his gold chain and wrestled with him to take his cell phone but he put up a fight.

Carringtom recalled that back in 2015 at the GFC young Denny was with his mom Afreya Denny who is a popular food vendor around football tournaments and was giving her a tough time.

“So my colleague, Patrick ‘Labba’

Joshua Denny Barton went downstairs and had a chat with him {Joshua} with a view of having him be obedient to his mother; it

was from that conversation that Pele Alumni and Joshua’s family got closer and we commenced assisting him as he became one of the scholarship awardees.”

Young Denny, the only son for his mom along with three sisters one of whom is a national player, Angel Denny, would have attended all the programmes that the Pele Alumni hosted in Guyana aimed at empowering youths beyond the realms of football whilst local Coordinator, David Gomes kept a close tab on Denny and the other scholarship recipients to ensure that they keep the focus.

“We are really saddened at what has happened and we extend sincere condolences to his mom, dad, siblings and their entire family at this time of bereavement. No one expect that life would unfold in this obtuse manner but we pray that God will give them all the comfort needed to ride these tough waves.”

Joshua Denny was very conscious of his abilities and when he realised that he was not going to excel they way he wanted to in academics, took the decision, in consultation with the Pele Alumni to pursue an electrical career at GITC. He was determined to succeed in life as he gradually understood where his calling was.

The other scholarship awardees are Josiah King, Isaiah Layne, Sara Matthias, Reshana Bishop and Shoran James. They all are assisted on a monthly basis.

Joshua Denny and his mom, Afreya Denny in happier times.

Canadian Legends claim OMSCC Division One Over-40 T20 title Canadian Legends team strike a pose after the victory.

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anadian Legends defeated Warriors Cricket Club by 54 runs to win the 2021 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Division One Over-40, 20-overs final on Sunday at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough, Toronto.

The legends tallied up a sufficient 152-8 from the allotment of 20-overs while Warriors only responded with 98 all out off 16-overs. Canada-based Guyanese Kris Vernom led the way with a solid 41 for the Legends.

He got contribution from Imran Ali who made 26 while former Guyana and West Indies youth player Hemnarine Chattergoon also made 16. Avinash Singh claimed two wickets for 19 runs from his maximum of three overs.

When Warriors batted, opener Mike Kadir hit a fighting 24 while Singh returned with the bat to make 19.

Their innings went into turmoil once the consistent Mark Moosai (03) and the prized wicket of Rovendra Mandolall (03) departed in quick succession leaving them tottering at 14-2 in the fourth over.

Andy Narayan finished with outstanding bowling figures of 3-16 from three overs while skipper Wally Bacchus supported with 2-23 off three overs. There was one wicket apiece for Bobby Parasnauth and Imran Ali. Vernom was named player-of-the-match and he took home a trophy. The winning side also collected a trophy.

Friday October 01, 2021

ITF/COTECC U-12 Development Team Tournament

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Guyana to compete for the runner-up spot today; ended qualifying in 2nd despite first loss

Today in the Dominican Republic, Guyana’s Boys U12 Lawn Tennis team will vie for the runners of spot when the ITF/COTECC U12 Development Team Tournament concludes with matches in the main draw.

The Guyanese arrived in the Dominican Republic for the tournament which began on Sunday last and had played unbeaten until yesterday. Team Guyana which finished the qualifying round in the second position despite yesterday’s losses, are in a group of five with the other countries, Barbados, Haiti, Dominican Republic ‘B’ Team and the United States Virgin Islands.

Guyana suffered its first loss when they went down to the Dominican Republic’s ‘B’ Tteam after beating all the other teams in their group. The tournament is being played in Davis Cup format with each Nation playing two Singles and a Doubles and Guyana lost 2nil yesterday losing both their singles and doubles matches.

This is second time Guyana boys has qualified the main draw in 2017 in Trinidad while the girls qualified in Trinidad in 2019.

In the first round Guyana defeated Barbados 3-0, with Elwyn Levius beating Ethan Warner while Nathan De Nobrega beat Johnsley Bazanne 6-2, 6-1 in two of the more exciting matches.

The host country has two teams and will compete for the first spot (Sean Devers)