Kaieteur News

Man stabbed to death by teen ‘Exxon contract not cast in stone’

Guyanese were out in their numbers for the first ever Cricket Carnival Road parade yesterday. The parade was the culmination of several days of entertainment, which coincided with the just concluded CPL Cricket Tournament. (NCN photo)

International watchdog groups believe Exxon calling the shots on Guyana’s oil

…Article 13 says PPP/C Govt. dancing to companies’ tune to stay in power

Based on interactions StabroekBlock. deliberately supporting this morefromitsoilcontract. massive support through the with international watchdog Given the government’s unfavourable agreement in He told the newspaper

agencies, local transparency continued resistance toward return for the oil companies’

Mahadeo continued that, “in group Article 13, says it is renegotiating the lopsided support in maintaining

other words, there is a becoming increasingly 2016 Production Sharing political power Article 13 international watchdog growing belief that the obvious to anti-corruption Agreement(PSA)ithaswith founder, Dr Yog Mahadeo groups, it is now being government has been assured a

it could stay in power by stakeholders that US oil Exploration and Production Guyana continues to be Government’s position is agreeing to non negotiation major, ExxonMobil is Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), the viewedfromallsideswiththe being dictated by Exxon.

Exxon’s subsidiary Esso said that the situation in

and to facilitate high cost calling the shots when it body says stakeholders are discussion now increasing as

projectstoboostcostoil.” comes to Guyana’s lucrative also beginning to think that

oil find in the offshore

government is not seeking

Government is assured advocate said that this show of reluctance on the government’s part leaves Guyana in a very vulnerable position;pointingout,thatin the current administration’s failure to be bold and demand a better oil share for pointthattheGuyana/Exxon Guyana, they have not only PSA could be renegotiated exposed their corrupt ways, for the simple fact that a and how weak they are to major change had occurred, acting correctly, but they that what the oil contract

Dr Yog Mahadeo

have exhibited their covers now was not what intention to stay in power was negotiated for in 2016, through the adherence of the when the oil find was oil companies’ calling. Dr significantly smaller The Mahadeotoldthenewspaper civil rights advocate agreed that Article 13 has always that “the context of the supported the renegotiation contract has changed.” He of the one sided oil contract said what was represented as more benefits could be before is now different. He secured for the nation. “We added that the fact that since said from day one, our 2016 the volume of oil being position has been consistent, borne out of the same thatis,renegotiatethisrotten agreement that envisaged a contract so that Guyana can fraction of what is now benefit The current expected, is itself a call for government said the same renegotiation. before getting to power and Dr Mahadeo, in his then the slick of oil made submission, went further to them change their position,” cite the 2020 Clyde & Co Dr Mahadeosaid. report; reminding Guyanese

H e c h a rg e d t h a t that the independent find “government’s handling of highlighted Guyana’s the oil contract exemplifies disadvantageous position its embrace of corruption; during the negotiation of the p u t t i n g a c o r r u p t 2016 contract. Clyde & Co, government and a corrupt highlighted that it was a contract in context ” Dr deliberate move by the oil Mahadeo maintained too companies to have Guyana that, “the government has committothecontractahead showntheoilcompaniesthat of the Liza 2 results; and we are a country with weak before the government leaderswhocannottakehard actually understood the decisionsforfearofpersonal massive wealth that was still loss ” He said that the being discovered in the government prefers to “stay prolific offshore Stabroek in power with support from Block Dr Mahadeo theoilcompaniesandtheUS reminded that in January of government until this 2020,theClyde&Coreport, position changes on the section 3.11, noted that the contract,” instead of getting oil companies appeared to for Guyanese the benefits have placed a lot of pressure deserved. As such, “The on the Government to sign reach of corruption is now the oil deal within a short leaking all over, in all spaceoftime.Thatreport,he ministries. Nepotism and continued, noted that, “the cronyismisthelegacyofthis reason given was related to government,” the Article 13 commitments for drilling memberinsisted. rigs.” However, the report

In its unrelenting stance revealedthatEEPGLwanted for the renegotiation of the to have the agreement in 2016 PSA, Dr Mahadeo had place “prior to LIZA-2 well supported the argument of results becoming fully formerEPAheadDr Vincent known and understood by Adams when he made the theGovernment.”

‘Exxon contract not cast in stone’

- Int’l lawyer says ‘sanctity of contract’ doctrine does not mean an agreement cannot be changed

International Lawyer, Melinda Janki

contract Sanctity of contract New York based Guyanese, Therefore,Dr Williamsarguedthat exploration activities still ongoing.

“There is a willingness not to with oil giant ExxonMobil and its all the parties which shall state the made.” treat contracts as cast in stone (so) partners will not be changed to date upon which the amendment or Thelawyeradded,“Simplyput, thatwhilecontractsbindustoterms maintain“sanctityofcontract”.But modification shall become sanctity of contract means, an and conditions, if the conditions various experts have clarified that effective.” As such, Janki told agreement made freely, knowingly, have changed so dramatically and the lopsided contract can be viewers of the online programme and fairly by competent parties, so detrimentally, then the changed. that the deal most definitely can be must be kept. It operates as a reopening and renegotiation of More recently, International changed. fundamental principle of contract contractsisareasonabledemandof Lawyer, Melinda Janki weighed in However, she did point out, law, reflected in principles such as the people of Trinidad and Tobago on government’s position on the “The government, Esso, Hess and pacta sunt servanda, well unknown and we anticipate that our partners deal, explaining that this ‘sanctity CNOOC can sit down and change to state actors. Therefore, despite inthisbusinesswillseeourclaimas ofcontract’termdoesnotmeanthat that agreement. They can amend it. sovereignty, a state is liable if it afairandjustoneandweanticipate a renegotiation is impossible. Janki The difficulty is why would they unilaterally breaches an thattherewillbesomereopeningof was a presenter on a Globespan Exxon is here to make money; so is agreement.” contracts so that at the end of the 24x7 discussion where she pointed Hess, so is CNOOC and the worst However, Dr Williams day, we can all sustainably benefit out “when we hear people yapping thatthedealisforGuyanathemore contended that the renegotiation of from the God given riches of about sanctity of contracts and that moneytheywillmake.” acontractisacommonpracticethat keen to note that when the deal was TrinidadandTobago.” is the reason for not changing the Only yesterday Kaieteur News doesnotcollidewiththesanctityof inked in 2016, Guyana had merely This is the position of the T&T contract that is of course complete reported that both the former and contract doctrine He said it discovered approximately 1 1 Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley nonsense. present governments have been involves the revisiting of billion barrels of oil, but fast on the issue of renegotiation, and Sanctity of contract does not misusing the sanctity of contract problematic terms of an agreement forward to six years later, the gettingmorevaluefromthenatural mean that the contract cannot be doctrine to avoid renegotiating the by parties who may or may not country has found more than 10 resources his country is blessed changed by the parties to the lopsideddeal.Thisisaccordingtoa reach agreement on a revision. billion more barrels of oil with with,foritscitizens.

Rowley made these statements means that one party cannot lawyer, Dr Vivian Williams who sanctity of contract and He said that it is customary for during an Energy Conference held unilaterallysuddenlydecidethathe explained in an invited comment renegotiation of contract are changes in an environment to in the twin island, putting oil or she, or it doesn’t like these terms that, “What is playing out is the parallel processes that compliment inform modifications to contracts companies on guard that he will be so they are not gonna do it. It’s two misapplicationofalegaldoctrineto ratherthanoffendeachother incountriesaroundtheworld. “reopening” the oil contracts as differentthings…” avoid acting in the nation’s best Last week, it was reported too In addition to this, the former “dramatic changes” trigger this The lawyer was keen to note interest. Because the sanctity of that former He

EPA boss highlighted the fact that reasonabledemand. that the 2016 PSA, specifically at contract doctrine does not apply to Environmental Protection Agency modifications have already been

Here in Guyana, the leaders Article 31 2 states, “This the consensual process of contract (EPA), Dr VincentAdams said the made to the 2016 contract, which have taken the position that the agreement shall not be amended or renegotiation, common sense major changes in the Stabroek further shows the invalidity of 201

modified in any respect except by should have shut down that Block validate the calls for a government’s “sanctity of Agreement (PSA) the country has written agreement entered into by argument before it was even renegotiation of the deal. He was contracts”argument.

Forde knocks DPP for requesting removal of magistrate in Bascom’s case

Opposition Member of matterbeassignedtoanother

to have a personal interest in appearanceattheCityCourt. Parliament (MP) Roysdale magistrate. In her letter, the the matter, her conduct thus He was slapped with three Forde, SC has slammed the DPP highlighted that while far, constitutes as sufficient counts of using a computer intervention of Director of she recognises that the reason for the Chancellor to systemtohumiliateaperson, Public Prosecutions (DPP), Magistrate does not appear

exercise her power and contrary to section 19(5) (a) Shalimar Ali-Hack into the to have a personal interest in assign the matter to another of the Cyber Crime Act of DionBascom’scasewithher the matter, her conduct thus magistrate. The DPP noted 2018 The first charge latest call for the magistrate far, constitutes as sufficient that should Magistrate Daly alleges that on Friday, toberemovedfromthecase. reason for the Chancellor to continue to adjudicate in the August19,2022,atHadfield Forde, the Shadow exercise her power and matter, there is likelihood Street,Georgetown,Bascom Attorney General said the assign the matter to another that the case will not be used a computer system to DPP’s request to the magistrate. affordedafairhearing.“This transmit electronic data with Chancellor of the Judiciary In response to the DPP’s may not only be a intent to humiliate, harass or is ‘a blow to the heart of move, MP Forde contended miscarriage of justice but cause substantial emotional justice’ that should not be that citizens should be will inevitably lead to legal distress to Superintendent allowed. concerned over the DPP’s proceedings in the High Chabinauth Singh. The two

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC,

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and Attorney-at-Law, Roysdale Forde, SC

On Wednesday, Senior intervention, which puts at Court,”itwasfurtherstated. other charges allege that on Magistrate Leron Daly risk a basic constitutional

However, Attorney at August 13 and 19, 2022, at presiding at the Georgetown right to a fair trial in a Court Law, Nigel Hughes objected H a d f

Department (CID) Mrfrom the case. As such, he Magistrates’ Courts, had of Law “How is it possible totheDPP’sletterandcalled Georgetown, the detectiveWendell Blanhum

Thestatedthatherrequestshould ordered that Police Legal for the Director of Public it a breach of the Hierarchy used a computer system tolawyer then noted that innotbeallowed. Advisor (PLA), and Special P

Moreover, Forde pointed Prosecutor, Mandel Moore contemplated and expressed too that the DPPdid not give intent to humiliate, harass orCaribbean Court of Justiceout two recent instances be placed in custody after he a request, in writing, to the appropriate grounds in her cause substantial emotional(CCJ)hadcausetorulethatitwhere the DPP intervened. repeatedly failed to produce Chancellor of the Judiciary letter for the Magistrate to distress to Superintendentwas unconstitutional for theHe said, “Citizens will recall requested evidence in the to have the matter, which recuse herself from his MitchellCaesarDPP to unilaterally orderthat a few months ago, in a cybercrime case against involves Dion Bascom client’s case. The lawyer The detective denied thefresh a Preliminary Inquiryrelated matter, the DPP, Bascom. reassigned?” the lawyer reminded the court of his chargesthatwerereadtohim(PI) into the matter against,without providing any

of the Judiciary He stated transmit electronic data with

In response to the questioned. To this end, he client’srighttoafairtrialand and he was placed on a totalMarcusBisram.reason, at all, or reasonable Magistrate’s action, the DPP stated that the DPP’s action indicated that he would of $300,000 bail and on

In her letter to thegrounds,givedirectivetothe wrote a letter to the

challenge the move in the November9,thetrialintothe

Chancellor of the Judiciary, fundamental question as to HighCourt. matter is scheduled tohighlighted that while shediscontinue private criminal Yo

her reason behind seeking

4

commence.Bascomwas

charge against Head of the Edwards, requesting that the theremovalofthemagistrate Bascom made his first court (Continued on page 9)

Magistrate does not appearCriminal Investigation

…says intervention is a “blow to the heart of justice”

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Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456

Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Japan under Abe Shinzo

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died in the worst way, by the bullets from an assassin’s hand. The death of the national leader of one of the great postwar economic stories triggered an outpouring of tremendous regard and goodwill from the international community. What is stunning is the way in which the Japanese people viewed their now fallen Prime Minister. It is almost the complete opposite of how the world outside Japan saw Shinzo-San.

In America’s highly revered Lincoln, there was a great groundswell of awe for ‘Honest Abe’ which has never really subsided. In Japan, a great many Japanese looked with scorn on the man who earned a national reputation as ‘Dishonest Abe.’ It is not our way to speak poorly of those who have passed from this world, be they high or low. But, given our heavy concerns for our own Guyana, we have a duty to share the thoughts and sentiments of the Japanese people. There are lessons for us from which we could learn a lot about our own leaders in government, opposition, civil society, religious ranks, and elsewhere.

The reports from Japan are that the majority of Japanese were against the lavish state funeral that was held for their late Prime Minister. It takes a lot of hard emotions for so many to still hold such heavy hearts against one of their own. There seems to be strong justification for the hard feelings and anger against the departed PM, as can be gathered from what a member of his own Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had to say about him. Lawmaker Seiichiro Murakami of the LDP said, “I always opposed a state funeral for Abe, and I won’t attend. His administration wrecked state finances, the economy, diplomacy, and even the bureaucracy. He was an enemy of the state, a pirate.”

Those are powerful words that have a piercing quality about them, and this is made worse in that it was coming from one within Mr. Shinzo’s own political group. He must have been a chronic wrongdoer in the way he ran Japan, a terrible leader with few equals, according to the bulk of the Japanese people. Among some of the ugly truths now emerging about Abe is that, while he was regarded as a statesman by the world beyond Japan, his local record was of deceptions, cover-ups, and other leadership farces, some of which are well-practised in Guyana.

First, as PM, he pressed state agencies to doctor results so that they matched what he was selling to the public. Is there a likelihood that we Guyanese could be living with that right here with this PPP/C Government? We think of the local Environmental Protection Agency, and we shiver at what we don’t know, what is kept from us, and what could definitely hurt us. We look at GuySuCo, and nobody is certain anymore of what really goes on there, what of the billions being poured into it to keep it going.

Second, in December 2018, his Ministry of Labour was embarrassed for publishing falsified date for years. Third, in January 2019, the Nikkei newspaper carried out a survey, which revealed that 4 out of 5 Japanese did not trust statistics coming out of government offices. We cannot say if we have reached that stage yet since we don’t know; but there is the fear that some of that may already be happening, with inflation and some oil numbers standing as prime concerns. The issue of the accuracy and reliability of government provided information is a crucial one since external institutions and other groups use them to make decisions, such as whether to invest or not in Japan, and how much.

Another aspect of Shinzo Abe’s Prime Ministerial record was that he favoured his Hosoda faction with abundant patronage, while he made sure to marginalize and punish those challenging him. Guyanese should be quick to recognize many parallels in how the leadership in the PPP/ C Government treats their insiders versus the fate of those crossing them. Shinzo Abe compromised the civil service, weakened the media. Lying became as commonplace as breathing. Guyanese should take careful note, given the government, leaders, and politicians that they live with today.

What we must do to fix racial discrimination

DEAR EDITOR,

PM Mark Phillips and the PPP seek to convince us that once they can show that the Government has spent money in this or that Afro-Guyanese community (e.g., 25 bridge repair contracts in Buxton) and that Afro-Guyanese have benefitted from this or that national programme (e.g., ‘Because We Care’ cash grants), then accusations of racial discrimination against the PPP are baseless. Accusers therefore must be, as the PM puts it, “creating mischief and drumming up racial strife within our communities.”

The PM and other racial discrimination deniers call for evidence of its presence. In so doing, they cast the PPP as sinless, paint Guyana as a human rights utopia, and question our sense of reality. Discrimination deniers then try to produce evidence of its absence, but end up committing the “fallacy of the lonely fact.”

More disturbing, racial discrimination deniers want us to have no fear under a PPP Government despite its pathological obsession to totally control the distribution of state resources and opportunities—land, contracts, jobs, cash grants, permits, etc. I do not know PM Phillips at all, but if he considers bridge repair contracts for Buxtonians

as a sufficient approach in managing our conflict-prone multi-ethnic society, then he may be ill-equipped.

That said, I wish here to shift the conversation on racial discrimination and discuss the fixes that should be embedded regardless of where one stands on the existence and extent of the problem.

Can we agree on the following fixes, briefly listed in random order? (i) Let us totally transform our Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) by arranging extensive technical and managerial assistance from the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

This collaboration must include overhauling our legislation on anti-discrimination and equality of opportunity and, most critically, the infusing, enforcing, and normalising of non-discrimination practices in every public agency. I selected the EHRC only because I am familiar with its vast experience in combatting all forms of discrimination (including gender) in public sector employment, procurement, and service delivery.

(ii) Let us finally activate the suggestion (made by Ravi Dev, most often) of requiring an Ethnic Impact Assessment for every major

Government programme or policy. Such assessments must identify and mitigate/ eliminate problems that may unduly (intentionally or unintentionally) create or exacerbate racial inequalities.

(iii) In 2009, our Parliament enacted the Fiscal Transfer Act “to provide for the formulation and implementation of objective criteria for the purpose of the allocation of resources to and the garnering of resources by the local democratic organs.” What has happened to this Act? Activating and revising it can minimise the present discrimination against opposition-led local councils.

(iv) As regard the charges of racism and political victimisation in the hiring and firing of government appointees, a good solution lies in adopting the US approach whereby the definition and identification of political appointees and positions are agreed to upfront and codified in legislation. (v) our social protection system (especially its social assistance component) must become structured and professionalised. As in every other country, our delivery system must be managed and manned by a modern public service, and not by ministers and other party hacks walking around with the people’s money in bags.

(vi) Given the historically built-in ethnic (and gender) lopsidedness in the award of

Government contracts, social procurement (defined as the use of the public procurement system to address social goals such as equality, social justice, and economic empowerment of targeted groups) must be introduced to reduce the discrimination caused by the sheer unevenness of the playing field. Several mechanisms (such as setasides) have been used in the US, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa and Northern Ireland.

(v) “Real power begins where secrecy begins.” (Hannah Arend in the book, “The Origins of Totalitarianism”). To promote transparency, countries empower citizens with the right to know or the right to information. In Guyana, we have the Access to Information Act.

To leverage it in the fight against discrimination, at least three actions are required: public authorities must be guided on the specific types of data that must be collected, stored, and made available; the public must be educated on the law and must gain confidence in its effectiveness; and the Commissioner of Information must be someone who understands his or her role as a public servant and an agent of social change.

I believe the APNU+AFC is far more likely to implement these and other fixes than the PPP.

Sincerely, Sherwood Lowe

Why do roads, infrastructural projects cost so much?

DEAR EDITOR, Especially in the Third World, corruption is rampant in the procurement process and awarding of Government contracts. It’s like you win the lottery if you can land a lucrative Government contract or if the Government purchases good and services from you through the state procurement process.

The drug bond and Cuffy Stadium were the poster child for corruption under the PNC. Our airport is a gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving. How many times have we renovated and expanded that airport, where the bathrooms still function poorly and the doors don’t lock? Do you know over in Trinidad several politicians have gone to jail for airport scams? Former Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday, his wife Oma, former Minister Carlos John and businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh have failed in their bid to stop their decadesold preliminary inquiry into

bribery charges from restarting, arising out of the Piarco Airport expansion project (Newsday, Sept. 4, 2022). Anti-corruption, transparency groups and those focusing on good governance and accountability must therefore pay close attention to what’s happening in procurements and contracts. With oil money, there are projects galore. Over the years, bribery and corruption have kept Guyana poor.

If we are overpaying for projects, it means less money is available for other important priorities such as wage increases or child nutrition for all grades. So, our needs go unfulfilled, and our dreams are deferred. I support the Government’s current emphasis on massive infrastructural development.

After 33 years of the PNC and 25 years of the PPP, we have been behind in everything. All over, everything needs fixing. People have waited a lifetime for roads to

be built, bridges to be constructed, and for health and educational facilities to be provided.

However, we have to make sure that funds are not siphoned off through the procurement and contracting process. Over the years, the Public Accounts Committee have identified numerous ways in which there are irregularities and nobody goes to jail – overpriced contracts, payments made but goods and services not delivered, shoddy work that does not meet the stipulations of bill of quantities, high payments advanced although a commensurate amount of work is not completed, contract splitting, overpayments, cost overruns, contracts going to folks with no prior experience, too many projects done as “emergency work” to bypass the normal procurement process, etc. What has been quite glaring is the high price tag of many projects all over the country. While no one has

produced any evidence of fraud and corruption with projects, the high price tags of projects raises many questions about why are these projects costing so much. Why is it costing $11.8 billion for the Schoonord, West Bank Demerara to Crane, West Coast Demerara fourlane highway? That’s a mere 4.1 kilometres of a dual carriageway reinforced concrete road with an emergency lane as well as 2.4 kilometres of road rehabilitation, and upgrade.

It will also feature two roundabouts, 11 reinforced concrete box culverts, 36 prestressed bridges, and road signage and markings. The job was split among 8 contractors.

What is the cost to build 1 kilometre of road in Guyana? Why is the cost per kilometre of road so varied when the feature of this road is not much different from the Eccles to Mandela four-lane

DEAR EDITOR,

Guyana is watching, waiting. They are watching and waiting to absorb what happens next in this shadowy, slightly messy, matter of the NRF and tax payments made by the Government of Guyana on behalf of Exxon.

It would enlighten all on how well this national oil fund is overseen.

As matters stand currently, the starting gun is in the President’s hands.

The Audit Office issued its opinion that all is well, while the Auditor General made clear where he stood.

His position, through a nifty handoff, was check with the GRA since it is the entity that has responsibility for issuing the related tax receipts.

There is a problem: the GRA has laryngitis. Since the Audit Office balked at retracting its original questionable report, and issuing a sanitised one, on the NRF, whatever its people deemed fit to do, and the GRA isn’t speaking publicly, civil society raised the bar several notches to the highest level in this land.

Article 13 appealed to His Excellency, President Ali in writing for him to consent to use the authority of his good offices, and order the release of all the associated documents.

The President has not responded; most likely he is busy with the demands of his office.

Hopefully, he will address this sticky issue soon.

As seen, President Ali has a golden opportunity to demonstrate how much he is about the vaunted transparency on which he loves to make dogged speeches. I humbly suggest to the President that he proves how much about accountability he is. He must make good by passing the instructions. There is one hiccup, and it has to do with these troublesome audits, and those quarrelsome voices in civil society that will not take no for an answer.

It is one of the difficulties of democracy, this business about having to furnish answers, and having any sonny, dummy, and ‘jumbie’ calling for what should not be their business, anyway.

My concern is not so much of what the President does or doesn’t do. I am more focused on how auditors sometimes operate in their auditing world.

To put sweetly, in their

failure to check as they should, they overbalance.

To tender more unsparingly, I think that the Audit Office overcompensated regarding what would please the Government, by giving it a pass.

There was the basis for correction, but the audit chief is not going into those muddy waters; he passed that baby onto the GRA.

More broadly, it is peculiar how audits operate on occasion.

History is the best teacher, and from its pages, precedents and parallels abound. From memory, I dredge up what PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) did during the Obama healthcare wars

PWC was engaged to conduct a study on costs, and its reports noted that costs would go up more swiftly and higher than existed at the time, if a plan was approved.

The Obama White House warriors went into action and educated PWC on how much business it does with the U.S. Government.

No threats were issued, but PWC got the message.

Two days later, this respected (once) auditing powerhouse reversed its findings in a haze of weak corporate speak that made it look

professionally shabby.

We are all watching and waiting

Because Guyana’s Audit Office and its seniors are State workers, the issue is of continuity and holding on, who could get the job done a certain way, and how convincingly.

Separately, private auditors doing public business understand that it is good business to manage smartly the depth of their probing, and the wording and types of their findings, if they decide to flag material matters at all. In the bigger picture, this is what worries with that ongoing audit of Exxon’s billions in bills.

Since it is a give and take world in which we live, I ask myself about possible quid pro quos, both before and afterwards.

Commerce has one colour only, that of money. More business is better business; new business openings are just as welcomed.

Considering all this, the President is in a pickle. If he orders release of papers, he may embarrass his own people.

If he doesn’t, there will be many ugly speculations and conclusions about what his government is really up to, on not only oil, but most matters. And how the auditors facilitate.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Staff turnover in the Public Service

DEAR EDITOR,

I refer to your article titled ‘Public employment falls by 10.9%’ that was published on the 13/9/2022 and would like to offer my comments.

It was very well articulated but it mostly addressed the economic side of things as it relates to the low pay, high turnover and shortage of staff in the public sector.

It ignored the challenges and hardships of the employees who are left to shoulder the burden of getting the work done with fewer resources than they would have liked.

As someone who has worked over a decade in the public service, I have observed that staff turnover is at an all time high.

But what is most alarming is the time taken to fill the vacancies. It takes months and sometimes years for vacancies in the public service to be filled but the work still has to be done. There are many staff who have to work during lunch and after working hours because their department/organisation is severely understaffed.

They are doing so without overtime pay or any form of remuneration other than their salary. Employees are also being denied leave because of the staff shortage.

I know of cases where employees do not want to work after hours but are afraid of

being victimised and losing their jobs.

Heads of Departments/ Supervisors are also not sympathetic to the plight of lowlevel employees as they themselves are under pressure. They also have further ambitions to hold higher positions and are pressuring the staff under their remit to get the work done to make a case for themselves in the event higher positions become vacant.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is that over time new tasks are assigned to an employee that are not explicitly stated on their job descriptions.

While most job descriptions have ‘Other duties as assigned’ stated on them, this is not being used as it should and there is a great disparity between the work being done and the remuneration received for that work in the public service.

Ideally, job descriptions should be reviewed every 1-3 years.

I have worked in various positions and I have never seen this done for any job I have held.

Public servants are tasked this year with executing the

largest budget in the history of the country. As is usually the case, the last months of the year are the busiest. Given the current situation, I do not know how much worse it can get but I know many public servants do not plan to stick around to find out.

I would like to close by saying that the least a public servant should expect is to be paid for the work they do but that is far from the case.

Because of the high turnover, they are performing the functions of multiple staff and working longer hours for the same salary.

As the busy season approaches, I am appealing for the government to pay public servants the overtime that they work or at least put in place mechanisms that would alleviate the need to work overtime while ensuring those who do not want to work overtime are not discriminated against.

I have read Minister Parag’s vision for the public service and I hope it is realised. But until then urgent action is needed to address the issues public servants face.

Yours truly, Vishal Singh

Are we all becoming self-righteous or Sanctimonious Gangsters again?

DEAR EDITOR,

Every day on reading the highlights in our Guyanese media, I become sick of the incessant call to renegotiate the oil contract with Exxon. These cries come from very qualified minds at home and abroad and from some “talking” heads. Again, I am not affiliated with any political party, and I am Afro Guyanese who do not prescribe to the “Putin” doctrine to make changes by brute force.

In contract law, the two most prevailing reasons for contract renegotiation are “Fraud” or “Misrepresentation of facts.” That is a tall ladder for Guyana to climb –Exxon knows that. I read the contract and most Guyanese should be aware, yes, it is not the best (now), but it was the best (then) given we did not

spend a (nominal) cent directly to produce a barrel of oil prior to first oil. We are still struggling to pump water to our residents in the interior from 200ft consistently, even in Georgetown. We the people should renegotiate the contract between our Government and us, Vote in 2025 for the best Government. When an entity engages in a contract it considers its risk and return, some of us are still in a Socialist mindset as to Exxon owing us something other than the contract terms. Name (3) other companies that can drill as deeply, safely as Exxon (20,000+) feet and keep Venezuela at bay. We had our Canadian exploration CGX drilling failures, remember, that is a premium we paid. The concept of renegotiating the contract is a dead one! Wake

up folks, we do not have to be Sanctimonious Gangsters again!

How many Guyanese will be happy if your landlord raise the rent because he or she heard you make more money, None! How many Guyanese would agree if the bank heard you make more money now so they will raise your interest rate on your mortgage or auto loan, None! How many Guyanese have bought land only to discover 5 years later its worth more now and the original Seller called to get more money from you 5 years later, none will agree! Contracts have Sanctity. I applaud the current Government (Vice President) on its Local Content Amendments and to push for more philanthropic investments from Exxon and its Foreign

partners. They (Exxon, etc.) have large global budgets (Foundations) for this around the world. It must be a public/private partnership and should not be demands, but a collaborative discussion on what is best for all. It should not be additive to Guyana as oil related expenses. Some examples of the discussions we should be having with our Partners.

1.Two new school buildings (or replacement) per year is a drop in the bucket. Do not wait for the next fire.

2.Finance the incremental delivery of textbooks/ laptops – annually for our school as needed.

3.Finance a permanent staff to keep the city clean daily – (no city council – private), yes Georgetown

CLR James on Cricket, culture and politics

DEAR EDITOR,

For me, cricket in Guyana always makes me return to CLR James’ masterpiece, “Beyond the boundary”, in which he ruminates on the question, “What do they know of cricket that only cricket knows?” With the CPL Tournament ended, perchance one can share some of his insights, along with his caveat that context is always paramount? Even though the book is autobiographical and so, anchored in events from a century ago, his observations still resonate.

While some purists may sniff that T-20’s showmanship is over-the-top, even back then when Test Cricket was the only format in existence he insisted cricket was “a spectacle”. “Cricket is first and foremost a dramatic spectacle. It belongs with the theatre, ballet, opera and the dance.” And like all those art forms, while they may have originated elsewhere, to take root cricket on and off the field, had to become integrated into the lived experience of the local society. James again, “the cricket field was a stage on which selected individuals played representative roles which were

charged with social significance”. James wrote about a neighbour, seen as coarse and crass by his prim and proper spinster aunts, become transformed into a hero as he plays strokes of sublime beauty on the cricket pitch. He uplifts all the spectators who are mostly from his social strata: they see themselves refracted in his performance and offers them hope.

In my village of Uitvlugt, the Community Centre, built in the mid-fifties by Bookers, was a pilgrimage site to which I gravitated every Sunday to view our local sugar workers transformed from plantation drudges into flannel-clad stars as they battled teams from the surrounding villages on the cricket field. Even as a boy, a total klutz in the game, I could apprehend cane-cutter Fogo whipping that ball off his toes as “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”. It was for these sugar estate grounds that Bookers hired the great Clive Walcott as a coach and which produced the flamboyant and unorthodox Rohan Kanhai. James was to describe Kanhai: “In Kanhai’s batting what I have found is a unique pointer of the West Indian quest for identity, for ways of

expressing our potential, bursting at every seam.” It was due to James lobbying that Worrell was made Captain of the West Indies cricket team in 1960, breaking the colour barrier and validating merit as the criterion for selection of leaders. Independence for Trinidad and Jamaica in 1962 was an expression of that confidence writ large.

In terms of the flamboyant style of CPL Cricket, this is a continuation of the early subversion of colonial cricket by players like Kanhai, who would deliberately fall on his back to hook a ball for four. Along with other WI players they unhitched cricket from “Englishness” to deVictorianize the sport that was supposed to usher us natives into “modernity”. The spectacle of the CPL T20 cricket tournament with its carnivalesque crowds and kaleidoscopic uniforms create an indigenous Caribbean identity by using tools that had turned us as colonized subjects into colonized objects. We are playing Caribbean Cricket and the erstwhile masters can now only try to imitate to catch up.

Coming to the seemingly excessive support by the

Guyanese public (domestic and foreign) for the Warriors, James had noted that the cricketers’ success ‘atoned for a pervading humiliation, and nourished pride and hope’. He drew a historical parallel between our euphoric feelings on the excellence of our cricketers and the Greeks’ iconization of their athletes: ‘The Greeks believed that an athlete, who had represented his community at a national competition, and won, had thereby conferred a notable distinction on his city. His victory was a testament to the quality of his citizens’. And in like fashion, so was his defeat, hence our national mood of depression following the Warriors elimination from the Tournament. James also connected cricket to a philosophy of West Indian life inculcated in the schools: “I acquired the discipline for which the only name is Puritan. I never cheated. I never argued with the umpire, I never jeered at a defeated opponent, I never gave a friend a vote or a place which…could be seen as belonging to a stranger.” Would that our politicians have inculcated such values. Sincerely, Ravi Dev

stinks to most visitors. To some of us, It’s Paradise!

4.Finance a fleet of school buses to get children to and from school daily –without the endless taxis. I see daily the confluence of student on Lombard Street (No.42 buses) waiting for transportation after 5pm. What a disaster – to get home before 7pm.

5.Finance the cleaning of drain in Georgetown weekly with a private entity to alleviate floods.

6.Helps us with crime fighting tools, additional cameras throughout and improve mobile laptop computers for our police officers.

7.Provide us with one helicopter “on standby” for emergency and trauma care, too many of our Citizens lie on the roadway or in the interior dying because of lack of expediency. Ambulances or

boat takes too long. Provide us with additional, MRI, XRAY, CT SCAN, Defibrillator throughout the country. The list above is not intended to be comprehensive, just some ideas to stimulate discussion amongst us, having wasted 3 years talking about renegotiating the contract. I am a fervent believer; we can build around the periphery of the existing contract instead of spending the next 20 years talking about how bad the contract was. Let us focus on the future and the needs of our Nation. Was the contract between the Government of Guyana and Exxon Aleatory? Some of the purveyors of bad information are taking us down a black hole, do not get sucked in, move on

Regards

Everton D. Morris

Why do roads, infrastructural

From page 4 highway - a mere 2.8 km that cost $2.6 billion.

The job was split among 8 contractors. The short, allweather asphaltic concrete road – 964m in length by 12 ft width - at Burma costs $64 million. The Reg. 5 abattoir is now estimated to cost $559,426,919. That’s over half a billion dollars! The Government has invested approximately $600 million (US$3 million) to kick start the Black Belly Sheep programme, with an initial flock of 1,000 sheep. So, does this mean one sheep cost US$3,000 or G$600,000+. Is that true? Can somebody please explain? The DPI news report said, ‘Subsequently, some $177.7 million was allocated in the National Budget earlier this year to provide additional resources to support the promising project.’

Govt. will spend a whopping $285M to build two prawns farms- one in Rose Hall, Region Six and the other at Onverwagt, Region Five. Also, it would cost some

$622,375,321 to reconstruct the North Ruimveldt Secondary School building. The new Headquarters for the Guyana Fire Service on Homestretch Ave. costs $614 million. The bids for supply of 5,000 flash drives for Ministry of Education schools range from $9,900,000 to $27,500,000. What type of flash drives are these that cost so much? Can someone explain? The Magistrate’s Court at Black Bush cost $24 million for a simple paint job, AC units, and recording equipment. Is the Opposition monitoring all these projects with a high risk for funny Su-Su business?

It’s our country and our wealth, and we must care. I call on the Government to put the Bill of Quantities for all projects in all Regions on a dedicated ‘Projects Website’ to allow for public information and monitoring. Transparency and accountability are of utmost priority. Open your eyes Guyana!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Jailall

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Back to regular programming

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After all the noise, distractions and the promises, we are back to regular programming as they used to say in radio land.

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The CPL cricket is over and so is the cricket carnival all intended to distract citizens from the real struggle and suffering going on in this country.

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After citizens would have finished wining down led by their President, they must now return to the greens lady at Bourda Market who has hiked her vegetables and to the grocery shop to face the daily increases in basic food items.

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GuySuCo is still to be fixed, public servants are still to receive a livable wage; racial tension and alleged discrimination are still high and most of all we are still stuck with a dangerous, lopsided contract with ExxonMobil, where the US oil major reaps all of the benefits and we, who own the resources, have settled for the crumbs. President Ali can jump high or jump low- one thing is sure, he and his government cannot wine and wave away the sorrows and sufferings of Guyanese.

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$6.8M online ticket booking system for ferry service launched

The Ministry of Public Works -Transport passengers travelling by ferry, but utilising and Harbours Department (T&HD), in theonlineserviceensuresthatpersonswillbe collaboration with Mobile Money Guyana able to secure a place on the ferry; especially (MMG+) launched Guyana’s first online those who are travelling with vehicles. “So, ticket booking system for water transport, this afternoon as we launch Ferry Pass, it is ‘FerryPass’onSaturday making a difference in the lives of tens of The platform, which costs some $6.8 thousandswhousethisferryservice,”Bishop million was developed by local technology Edghillsaid. company, V75 Inc, and aims to mitigate Thelaunchoftheserviceisaculmination issues encountered by ferry passengers as it ofMinisterEdghill’sinitiativetoimprovethe relates to securing places on the vessels. level of service delivered by the Transport Delivering his remarks at the launch, and Harbours Department. It will be used Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan concurrent to the existing ferry system. Edghill stated that the launch of the However, persons who book online would revolutionary new service is in alignment take precedence over those who register in with the PPP/C’s manifesto promise of person. Persons utilising the online booking makinglifebetterforallGuyanese. platform can pay primarily via MMG+.

This includes introducing new and However, CEO of V75 Inc has assured that innovativemethodsofeliminatingissuesthat other payment options, inclusive of credit are faced by citizens. “At the centre of the and debit cards, will be added in the future.

Indigenous communities feel brunt of 2,500-barrel oil spill in Peru

Even as Peru deals with Amazon rainforest territory the spill affected a total of the aftermath of an To date, that spill has 848,400 m2 of body of approximately 12,000 affected several indigenous water It was also stated that barrels spill which is comminutes in the country’s the recovery of the considered its worst NortheastregionofLoreto. vegetation impregnated ecological disaster to date – Peru’s Ministry of with hydrocarbons was the country is facing yet Environment has estimated carriedout. anotheroilspilldisaster that the spill was around According to Petroperu,

On September 16, last, 2,500 barrels but Petroperu the September 16 spill is the ththe country’s Agency for isyettoquantifythedisaster 11 thatoccurthisyearinthe Environmental Assessment Petroperu said in a Amazon – but it is the first and Enforcement (OEFA) statement that the spill had thatflowintoariver announced via its website b e e n t h e r e s u l t o f

The spill in the Amazon that approximately 2,500 “intentional” damage done rainforest is considered as barrels of crude oil was toanoilpipelineoperatedby Peru’s second largest spill –spilled into the country’s thecompany and comes months after the Amazon region The I n a s u b s e q u e n t country recorded its worst Amazon is the world’s statement, the Peruvian ‘ecological disaster ’ In largest rainforest covering Government disclosed that January, approximately muchofnorthwesternBrazil communities that were 12,000 barrels of crude was and extending into affected by the spill were spilled into the Pacific Colombia, Peru and other blockingtheMaranonRiver, Ocean from an oil refinery SouthAmericancountries. the principal source of the belonging to Spanish oil

Indar, General Manager of T&HD,

People’s Progressive Party/Civic manifesto (DPI) and work, it is not only about delivering the Picsaveasferry new roads and bridges, and new four-lane (from right) Minister of Public Works, highways, and building better Stellings and Bishop Juan Edghill, Chairwoman of the hard infrastructure, but at the centre of what Transport and Harbours Department we do, it’s people. And whenever we do (T&HD),RosalindaRasul,GeneralManager something that will improve the lives of of GTT+ and MMG+, Bobita Ram, Minister people, we are achieving what we set out to within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat do,”theministersaid.

He outlined the benefits of the service, Marcelene Merchant, and a representative of highlightingthatnotonlydoesitsavetimefor theMinistryofPublicWorks.

According to Peruvian Amazon River – as such giantRepsol. reports,apipelinebelonging preventing officials from T h e P e r u v i a n to Petroperu, a state-owned taking water samples and Government has since filed company was reportedly distributingmedicinestothe a lawsuit seeking the total of intentionally damaged and affected indigenous US$4.5 billion from the oil caused the oil spill in Peru’s communities. giantovertheenvironmental 782 square kilometres The OEFA reported that disaster

UG offers free course on human relations in support of the UN Day of Peace

The University of Guyana’s Centre of rights protected by our constitution and our Excellence for Teaching and Learning strong democratic national values, the nature (CoETaL), Office of the Vice-Chancellor, is of public debate can become passionate in once again offering its ‘Human Relations unfortunate ways. When this happens, ad Course’(HRC) FREE of charge to the public hominem (personal) attacks upon persons in commemoration of International Day of with whom we disagree, must be studiously Peace. avoided and repudiated. This is because

The course opened on Wednesday, 21 fundamental healthy discourse can be September,andwillbeavailabletointerested devaluedandderailedintheprocess. persons until October 21, 2022, UG said in a TheUniversityisthereforeamongstother press release. The University underlines the interventions offering this free course in importance of this course in building and Human Relations, which, amongst 6 others, strengthening better relations amongst contains modules on emotional intelligence, individuals and groups. The University also gender relations, gender-based violence, and notes that while freedom of speech and ethnicdiversityasoneofoursincere freedom of association are fundamental (Continued on page 10)

Man stabbed to death by teen during brawl

A 29-year-old man was his home and had gotten time, the victim became on Saturday stabbed to death drunk around 16:00hrs. The angryandpursuedtheteento at Canal Number One teen reportedly picked up a hishomewherehisfathergot Polder,WestBankDemerara knife and attempted to take involvedinthebrawl. (WBD) allegedly by a 17- his own life. Ramachandran According to police, year-old boy who he had intervened by taking away Ramchandran and the boy’s slapped several times for the knife from him and had father ended up in a scuffle wantingtotakehisownlife. also dealt him several slaps and while they were fighting

Dead is Deonarine to calm him down. The teen each other, the teen picked R a m a c h a n d r a n o f reportedlybecameangryand upaknifeandstabbedhimto Conservancy Dam, Canal went home and verbally t h e a b d o m e n . Number One, Polder, WBD. abused Ramachandran. He Ramachandran collapsed to Police have since arrested later returned armed with a the ground and had to be the teen suspect. The teen’s cutlass and threatened to assisted by his relatives father, 58, was also arrested chop Ramachandran The They rushed him to the for getting involved in the victim armed himself with a Georgetown Public Hospital fatal brawl between the teen cutlass too and reportedly Corporation (GPHC) where andtheman. fired a chop at the teen but he died while receiving

Investigators reported had missed. The boy ran treatment. that the boy was drinking away again but continued to Inve

rum with Ramachandran at threaten Ramchandran. This ongoing.

The financial system does not discriminate on the basis of race

One of the ways in which political and social leaders control the masses is by feeding them the idea that they are victims. The appeal to victimhood makes it easier for the masses to be led in the direction which these leaders desire.

As such, some leaders concoct narratives of victimhood to make their audience feel oppressed and thus malleable to manipulation. But not all of the victimhood narratives are deliberate. Some leaders spread falsehoods simply because they either do not know better or are living in a cocoon.

One of the false narratives which African Guyanese are being fed is that the financial system discriminates against them. The denial of loans, however, does not constitute discrimination because persons of all races and ethnicities are denied loans. Persons are also fed the lie that the financial system is stacked against them. This is not so at all. Indeed, regardless of your income or race, you can qualify for loans. Indeed, each month hundreds of ordinary Guyanese do receive loans and other services from the country’s financial sector. Historically, poor people faced constraints in accessing loans from the for-

mal financial system. This mainly had to do with the lack of or limited collateral and equity and which was used to deny them loans. But it led to perceptions that the banks were placing obstacles on the basis of class.

But things have changed. A range of financial services, tailored to low-income persons are now offered. For example, there are Back-to School promotions that help parents to afford the cost of school books and fees and buying computers for their children.

Many of the promotions targeting low-income persons do not require collateral or equity. Thousands of ordinary Guyanese, of all races, benefit from these loans.

Thousands also, of all races, have been able to go to the banks and to acquire a loan to purchase a motor vehicle.

Housing loans have been provided to tens of thousands of Guyanese of all races.

And the same holds true for small business loans.

Apart from the commercial banks, a number of institutions provide small loans to small entrepreneurs. The government itself has a number of schemes which provide support to small businesses.

A Small Business Develop-

ment Fund has been established. The government hands out millions of dollars each year as grants to persons of all races. Last year alone the government gave out almost G$350M in grants – not repayable – to more than 700 small businesses. The housing sector is a major source of lending for the financial sector. The Ministry of Finance is reporting increased real estate loans of G$96.8B and for households by $38.5 billion. The Ministry of Finance reported that the “increase in credit to households was driven mainly by lending for housing, “other purposes”, and motor cars, while the growth in real estate mortgage loans was supported by increased mortgages granted for both private dwellings, and industrial and commercial properties.” It is unthinkable that these increases could have been achieved in an environment of discrimination against a particular ethnic group.

Banks have to make a profit and they have to also be prudent. While there are many promotions which do not require collateral or equity for small borrowers, the banks are in order to demand that those seeking larger facilities should have collateral and should finance part of their

Forde knocks DPP for requesting...

From page 3 charged weeks after he made accusations about an alleged police cover-up in the murder of Ricardo Fagundes, known as ‘Paper Shorts’. He had made a Facebook live accusing several high-ranking members of the GPF of covering-up the findings unearthed in Fagundes’ murder investigation. In fact, he had made

accusations against his bosses at the Force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), claiming that they were bribed. Fagundes was gunned down on March 21, 2021, moments after stepping out of a popular bar on Main Street, Georgetown by two men who emerged from the back seat of a heavily tinted, white Toyota Fielder Wagon.

Dem boys seh...

Following Bascom’s allegations, the Force had not only denied the claims but had called Bascom a liar and even investigated him for breaching its code of conduct. Nevertheless, Bascom stood by his allegations and publicly stated that he had evidence too. He had stated, however, that he was fearful for his life and needed protection.

De govament can’t mek no tax information public

Imagine de govament wake up one day and decide fuh publish in de newspaper de amount of taxes you paying. How would you like dat?

Dem boys seh people getting carried away with dis oil business. Dem boys know yuh could ask fuh information bout dem oil companies’ production. Guyanese entitled to know how much oil being produced.

But how yuh gan ask de govament fuh mek de oil companies’ tax information

public? Which part ah de world, de govament does mek tax information public? Even de tax authorities can’t reveal tax details to de govament. Suh how could de govament mek dis information public?

People gat to stap mekkin dese silly requests. Dem gan lose respect and credibility. If yuh want know how much taxes de oil companies paying, yuh gat to wait pon de oil companies fuh mek dat information public. Yuh can’t ask de govament fuh reveal de people tax information.

People gat to stop getting

carried away with dis thing about transparency. Deh gat some things which de public should see and some things which de public should not see. One of de things de public can’t see is de tax details of de company. Only when de company decide fuh mek dis information public, is only den de public gan know. But yuh can’t ask either de govament or de tax man fuh reveal privileged and confidential information. Dat is not going to happen!

Talk half, leff half.

proposed investment. No one should expect to walk off the road and to be granted a G$50M loan without having some asset to lodge. Borrowers must also be capable of repaying their loans. The ability to prove that one can repay a loan does present some challenges, though not insurmountable, for clients of financial institutions. If you are self-employed, and do not have evidence of your monthly income, there are things which can be done to prove your creditworthiness. One of those things would be to begin to deposit some money every month into your account to prove that you are earning. This makes it easier when you go for a loan because the loan assessor will

see proof of prior deposits.

Banks will be fair to you once you meet their lending guidelines. Almost all of Guyana’s financial institutions are staffed by professional persons. It is an insult and a disservice to these professionals to suggest that there is discrimination against any race. The banking sector is highly competitive. No bank would want to turn away an eligible client on the basis of race knowing that competitors are just waiting to poach on rejected clients.

No case therefore can and has been made about racial discrimination in the country’s financial sector. The numbers do not suggest that credit is being curtailed, much less to be curtailed on

the basis of race. The commercial banking system has developed new products suited to the small man and many of these products such as retail loans do not make onerous demands for collateral and equity. The professionalism of the banking staff, and the competitiveness of the sector, act as a safeguard against racial discrimination.

Those who make such charges are therefore either misinformed or living under a turtle shell. Guyanese must not become entrapped in the victimhood syndrome.

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

The post-office: Keep complaining and people will be helped

This column here is not a to the nation. GWI offers theyarewhowillonedayuse

How would the public Ms. Brown if the comment on the Postmaster water Of the two, GWI is that parcel postage section know that the additional GPO would accept General, Ms. Karen Brown. more important to many thattheGWIbillwillnowbe $200 is for sealing the adonationofboxesof Ms Brown returned my because if you do not use the acceptedasproofofaddress. boxes? They would not and tapes. She asked if it telephonerequestlastFriday internet, then you don’t care Also driver’s licence can be they don’t have a choice as was coming from me. andwastheoppositetomein about electricity but all submitted as identification we don’t with DHL. That is I told her I would ask I know there are theuseofdecibels.Fromour humans will die if they don’t andproofofaddress. the cost for postage and we business folks I know who countless times when the conversation, I would say I have access to drinking The conversation moved pay it. I am saying with wouldmakethedonation. advocacies in these columns likeMs.Brown. water. on to the scotch tape thing. I prodigious confidence if I know beyond a shadow were ignored but countless

But in writing again on IdidacolumnlastFriday did carp in my Friday theGPOputsonanadditional ofadoubtthatphilanthropist times positive changes came the general post office on my experience at the column that the GPO wants $200 for the service, no one Nazar Mohammed (aka, about. (GPO)downtown,IfeelIam parcel postage department at youtobringyourowntapeto willquestionit. “Shell’) would gladly give I met one of the famous showing my obligation to GPO (“GRA, CANU, post seal your package. Now let’s ButdonotreduceGPOto theGPOtonsofthematerial. names in gold-mining, the Guyanese as a person who office and life in Guyana”). I digress to the courier service a vulgarity by asking Ms. Brown responded that Adams family, in Massayhas been a social activist did not mention the GWI namedDHL. customers to bring their own she thinks it is inappropriate Supermarket and he since I was 16, and that was thing.IkeptitbackbecauseI WhenDHLinspectsyour sealing tape It appears for me to be asking business reminded me that I got the before more than half of wanted to do a separate box, it then seals it using its scandalousandinfact,itis.I people to buy such an item gate security of National Guyana’s current population article on the issue after own tape. How we do know could understand in the for the GPO so she declined Hardware to stop examining wasborn. speakingtoMs.Brown. that we are paying for that terrible era of the seventies myoffer the contents of customers’

When, on Thursday, I So I put the question to tape the cost of which may and eighties when the To conclude then, I purchase when they were went to the GPO parcel her: Why the GPLpaper and have been tacked on to the economy had broken down, would urge people to leaving the store. That was a section to send a box to my not the GWI document? Ms. price they charge you? DHL there was no foreign complain when things that vulgarinvasionofprivacydaughter, there is a large Brown gave me the reason userswillneverknowthat. exchange and every damn should be naturally right are (The views expressed in notice facing you. It alerts whichIamnotgoingtostate So I suggested to Ms. thingwasinshortsupply offensively wrong in this article are those of the customers to the fact that hereforthedeliberatereason Brown that GPO do the In this age, the GPO can Guyana. It could go either a u t h o r a n d d

n o t GWIbillsarenotacceptedas of not wanting to embarrass identical thing DHL does. afford to buy tape to seal way – you could be ignored necessarily reflect the proof of address, only GPL my country because with the GPO charges $8000 for the boxes and parcels. I asked orchangescancome. opinions of this newspaper.)bills. new oil era and CPL season, firstkilogramthen$2200for

The mystery of that

every other kilogram

foreignersinGuyana. Changethattomakeit$2400 Something had to be wrong But I would like to and use the additional $200 there. GPL offers electricity inform Guyanese wherever tobuysealingtape.

CCAC launches National Compliance Award Programme

To honour and recognise businesses who programme will highlight those businesses commit and adhere to the Consumer Affairs whoplacepremiumvalueonrecognizingthe Act (CAA) No.13 of 2011, the Competition rights of consumers and having a and ConsumerAffairs Commission (CCAC) competitive edge over their competition at has launched its inaugural National thesametime”. ComplianceAwardProgramme.

The participation process is simple and

The Award Programme follows on the without charge Application forms, CCAC’s recent introduction of the information on the award categories and compliance certification for businesses that requirements are available online at are found to be compliant with the CAA ccac.gov.gy Participating businesses will be when inspected, CCAC said in a release. Six required to submit to inspections by the categories of awards will be presented: Best CCACtovalidatetheiradherencetothelaw Warranty Policy, Most Compliant They should also submit their business Electronics, Most CompliantAuto Industry, registration with the Commercial Registry, Most CompliantOther Industries, Best and proof of compliance with the Guyana Consumer Experience, and Consumer Revenue Authority, and the National RightsAdvocateoftheYear InsuranceScheme.

The awards are open to all durable goods The closing date for applications is and services businesses. Consumers can October 28, 2022, and the awards ceremony select nominees for the Best Consumer will be held at the end of November 2022. Experience, while the Commission will Businesses are invited to email choosetheConsumerRightsAdvocateofthe cau@ccac.gov.gy, call 219-4410/3 ext. 104, Year or visit our Facebook, Guyana Competition

CCAC’s Director (ag), Mr. Anil and Consumer Affairs Commission, for Sukhdeo, commented that “the awards furtherdetails.

UG offers free course on human relations in support...

From page 8

are expected to complete all modules to contributions in fostering mutual respect, receive the certificate. Registration for this constructive open dialogue, decorum, and course is currently opened to the public. fair play in the best interest of our beloved Please register using the following URL: people and country It is open to any member https://uog.edu.gy/courses/ugh1101-humanofthepublic. relations For more information and

AccordingtoUG,eachmodulecontainsa technical support please contact: pre-test followed by a video, which lasts for helpdesk.tos-ccses@uog.edu.gy. For a full 1-2 hours and a post-test. Persons are listofUG’sProgrammeofferingskindlyvisit expected to check the notification box after t h

they have completed each activity to ensure https://wwwturkeyenonline uog edu gy/srm that they can progress to the next activity. s/student/prospective/about applying/offere There is no pass and fail grade, but students dprogs.php.

Frederick Kissoon

Man confesses to choking La Grange woman to death

Amanwhowasarrestedforthemurderof a woman who was found dead on Friday has reportedlyconfessedtochokinghertodeath.

Region Three police said that the suspect claimed that he and the woman identified as Nirmala Sukhai of Lot 35 Factory Dam, La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) were in an intimate relationship The man reportedly stated that he had killed her in her home following an argument they had over another man. Sukhai’s body was found around 16:00hrs Friday by her mother who hadpaidheravisit.

Police revealed that Sukhai was found lyingfacedownonherbedwithbloodoozing from her mouth. Her body was clad in a pink top.Apair of short pants was found close by and it appeared as though it was cut off from the rear, according to a police report.Aknife was also found under her body She was last yard of the bar” and this made him angryseen alive close to midnight and one man They left and went to her house and startedrecalled buying her two beers at a bar before arguing again. The suspect further allegedleavingtopickuphisgirlfriend.Hepromised that they started fighting and he choked herhertoreturnandhedidbutwhenhegotthere, untilshewasunresponsive.shewasalreadygone.

Sukhai was described as a jovialShe was not seen again until her remains individual who was full of life and “workedwere discovered. It was suspected that she like a man”. She was a labourer who workedwas raped after the drinking session at bar as hard as her male counterparts in theHowever, investigators were able to arrest a construction sector One individual recalledsuspect and he gave them a confession. The being shocked when he saw her work for theman said that indeed he was part of the first. He remembered Sukhai picking updrinkingsessionwithSukhai.Heallegedthat some sand paper and doing a good job ofwhile they were drinking, Sukhai sandingsomefurnituretobepolished.“disappeared with another man in the back

Guyana is being represented at the 19th Science and Technology Forum in Japan

he Advisor to the M i n i s t e r o f Education, Ms

T Africo Selman, is currently in Japan to participate in the 19th Science and Technology Forum as well as the 19th Science and Technology Ministers’ Roundtable, October 1, 2022, to October 4,2022.

The participants consist o f M i n i s t e r s a n d Equivalents, Vice Ministers and Equivalents from 50 countries. Guyana is being represented by Ms. Selman. The theme under which discussionsarecentredatthe 1 9 t h S c i e n c e a n d Technology Ministers’ Roundtable is “Mission oriented research and post covid 19 Society and Science, Technology and Innovations”.

A Ministry of Education press release stated that the participants’ focus is that Science, Technology and

During her presentation technology Innovation do not only attheMinisters’Roundtable, She said that the provide a driving force for Ms. Selman said that the Government continues to economic and financial COVID-19 pandemic was a develop technological growth but significantly great reminder of the infrastructure in those contribute to mitigating and disparitiesthatexistbetween communities that require solving global challenges the rural and hinterland such investment to such as climate change and c o m m u n i t i e s

n ultimately remove the poverty in a fundamental compared to urban areas disparityandimproveaccess manner rela

a

acrossGuyana.

Ms. Africo Selman at the 19th Science and Technology Forum in Japan

Murdered, Nirmala Sukhai

Govt. must consider how pipeline will cut farmers’ income when valuing lands along route - Patterson

A inconsiderate The former Minister of proposal from government Public Infrastructure went totakeoverafractionoftheir on to explain that the local landtofacilitateanaturalgas valuation division is not pipeline that will run from even equipped to properly Nouvelle Flanders to Wales perform its functions on the West Bank of According to him, there is a Demerara, Shadow Oil and specific technique called Gas Min

A landowner along the pipeline route shares a concern with the government team.

ster, David ‘Income Approach’ that is Patterson is arguing that the used to value agricultural government’s valuation lands. This means that the approachisincorrectasitdid land value will not only be not factor in the losses calculated using the normal farmers would face from not parameters but would beingabletousetheirlands. consider the income being Patterson in a recent derived from the property of interview with this which farmers will be publication said the PPP had denied. craftily approached the Patterson said, “I know ambitious Gas to Energy but they don’t consider that because I can’t farm on it, I

National Assembly to make for sure, they don’t even (GTE) project aimed at every month we earn on this can’t live there, I can’t burn

changes to the legislation know to do that. So they are slashing electricity costs in land so they should consider anythingonthelandbecausewhich would allow them to justlookingatifamanwants half. how it would affect us when of the pipeline I planttake over lands, whether the to buy an acre of land I think

About 25 landowners, theytakeitawayfromus.” pineapples, tangerines,property owner agreed or it is worth this and this but specifically between A landowner in Canal plantains and other cashnot. theyaresupposedtobeusing NouvelleFlandersandCanal Number One then explained crops.He explained, “They the income approach which Number One, were handed a t h a t e v e n t h o u g h Ibornandgrowthereandpassed a law for the gas to basicallysaysifamanhasan proposal letter from the government will only my father got the land fromshore deal which they acre of land and he gets 33 government for the section require part of his land, his his grandfather and so I ampreemptedthatpeoplewould sacks of paddy every three of land required for the gas farming activity will be currently29yearsold.Itwillbeobjectingsotheypasseda years and this is the income, pipeline Each individual completely disrupted hence affect me a lot. I am lookinglaw saying that the Minister therefore over a period of received a different offer, he does not believe he forward to a call fromhas the right to give time when the land is still based on the amount of land received a fair offer for whichever lawyer they saypermission for the pipeline- farmable- say the next 20 or that will be needed for the compensation.

they are gonna propose to useven if you want to sell or 50 years- this is the income I pipeline.

The man, who is but this offer I can’t worknot and that’s why I am depriving him of. So it’s

This newspaper spoke to employed at a government withit.”questioned it in Parliament not only the value of the anumberofpersonsthatwill office, asked to remain Also,theyoungmansaidand during the debates and land.” be affected who complained anonymous. He explained, he is fearful that a gas leakthey said that everybody On the other hand, the theyarenotsatisfiedwiththe “I am one of the land owners may occur and start a chainwould be compensated that former Minister said he also offer made by government that will be extremely reaction; hence he may bewastheveryfirstthing.” took note of procedural were conducted through for their lands. One farmer affected. According to what forced to discontinue his

Now that the changes infractions made by the their land without them for example explained that they are saying, it will be greatgrandparents’legacyhave been made to the government as reported in being notified that this is the offer made did not take aboutsixacrestheyneed. During that meeting, thelegislation, Patterson the press. “I am hearing that beingdone,”henoted.

into consideration the My concern is, if you residents were told bypointedout,“thericefarmers they conducted the surveys On September 23, last, a earnings made from the takinghalfoftheland,Ican’t Nandlall that they would bewill be in a little bit of a bind withoutthepresenceofsome government team led by property that would be do anything else on the other contacted by lawyers frombecause they object and of the farmers, when by law, Attorney General and Legal affected. half so it’s kind of pointless the government to listen towhen they do, because if you are going to conduct a Affairs Minister, Anil

The farmer told Kaieteur becausetheyaresayingthere their specific concerns andobviously it will affect their survey through somebody’s Nandlall, S C met with News, “I don’t think the will be a fence on either side counter proposal. He alsolivelihood, the Minister can land, you are supposed to landowners who will be valuation considers the ofthepipeandtheywillhave explainedthattheywerefreesimply say that the valuation give them seven days notice affected by the pipeline earningsthatwegetfromthe some sort of security or tosecuretheservicesoftheirdivisionsaidyourpropertyis so I find it strange that the being constructed by land by planting rice. They something. So I would have own lawyers if they sovalued‘x’amountbuthewill f a r m e r s

E

nM

sign a license to give Exxon complainingthatthesurveys Government of Guyana’s

just gave a flat value of that to move off of the land desired.

Govt. launches “The Century Club” to provide extra care for persons 100 years and beyond

n commemoration of the longest serving citizens by amenities, facilities and Month of the Elderly, providing care packages, opportunities to have a good

Icelebrated in October groceries, health checkups, qualityoflife.” each year, the Ministry of vitamins, glucose testing Additionally, the Ministry Human Services & Social machinesandotherservices. has been constantly working on Security is caring for its senior These items will be procured ways to improve the lives of its citizens in a special way with the directlythroughtheMinistryand seniorcitizens. launch of The Century Club – through collaboration with Minister Persaud reiterated Extra care for 100 years and

, in her remarks, “we have moved beyond. organizationsandentities. a great distance with regard to

This is a club which honours Minister of Human Services pension in terms of our increase thosecitizensinGuyanawhohas & Social Security, Dr Vindhya in pension, the early delivery of made it to 100 years and even Persaud emphasized, “Our pension books, the introduction e

senior citizens have contributed of the banking system and also

in diverse spheres in our country alternate venues and we are Information release stated. This and, I believe it is incumbent on working on other improvements programme aims to bring ease us to ensure that in their later thatwillcomelatersothat and comfort to Guyana’s years, they’re able to enjoy all (Continued on page 16)

s f a r m e r s permission to go through complain about your land whether you agree being handed an ornot.”

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson

Minister of Human Services & Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud interacting with an elderly citizen

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Women activist and former PPP/C Member of Parliament, Philomena Sahoye-Shury has died

In a short statement the PPP/C extended condolences to the relatives of the deceased. "The People’s Progressive Party extends deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of Cde Philomena Sahoye-Shury following her passing.

Cde Phil served in many capacities, including as a Member of Parliament and in the Central Committee of the party," the statement ended.

Last year to mark her 90th birth anniversary, former President and PPP stalwart, Donald Ramotar wrote that at the time of Sahoye-Shury's birth Guyana was a colony, British Guiana. He said the vast majority of people were poor and oppressed. "The people had very few civil and political rights. Voting for instance, was the preserve of the rich and well born.

The people were just beginning to stir and were gradually becoming aware of their circumstances. This was seen in the beginning of the formation of trade unions in our country."

Ramotar said Philo herself was born into a class just above that of the workers. She was a Vieira- that well known family in our country had enjoyed more social and financial security than most.

"She was fifteen years old when Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Ashton Chase and Jocelyn Hubbard began the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and took the first steps in the fight for freedom. Philo was one of the young people who became highly motivated by the vision that the PAC

comrades had expressed and embraced the ideals that they were fighting for. Her sense of justice and strong feelings for the working people, the oppressed and downtrodden masses propelled her into the ranks of the PPP," Ramotar

wrote. He said she rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s when the PPP was encouraging and organizing the sugar workers to form a union. The union which had made a powerful impact on the workers, the

Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU) became defunct after the split of the PPP in 1955.

When the new union was formed, "Philomena became the General Secretary, while Harry Lall occupied the position as President of the union.

It was first called the Guiana Sugar Workers Union, that name came as a request of Philomena’s. It was later changed to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). It was here that she was tested. She was forged in the fire of struggle and became a woman of steel.

In this position Philo led many demonstrations and was known as an uncompromising champion of the workers in general and sugar workers in particular."

According to Ramotar, during the bitter struggle for recognition in the early 1960s and in 1964 in particular Philo stood out as a great fighter. She made rousing speeches at mammoth rallies in challenging the sugar gods. She was so forceful that she was called the `Fire Ball’.

Ukraine alleges torture at village near Russian border

KOZACHA LOPAN, Ukraine (AP) — In a dank basement behind the local supermarket, metal bars cordon off a corner of the room to form a large cell. Dirty sleeping bags and duvets show three sleeping spots on top of sheets of Styrofoam for insulation from the damp earth floor. In the corner, two black buckets served as toilets.

lage of Kozacha Lopan in a major counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region this month.

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A few meters (yards) outside the barred cell, three dilapidated chairs stand around a table, cigarette butts and empty husks of pumpkin seeds littering the floor around them.

Ukrainian authorities say this was a makeshift prison where Russian forces abused detainees before Ukrainian troops swept through the vil-

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said more than 10 such “torture chambers” have been discovered in the region since the hasty withdrawal of Russian troops last week. The claims of what occurred in the room could not be independently confirmed.

Kozacha Lopan, whose edge lies less than two kilometers (just over a mile) from the Russian border, was retaken by Ukrainian forces Sept. 11. In a statement posted Saturday on its Telegram channel, the prosecutor’s office of the Kharkiv region, in whose jurisdiction Kozacha Lopan lies,

said the room seen by AP journalists was used as a torture cell during the occupation of the area. It said Russian forces had set up a local police force that ran the prison, adding that documents confirming the functioning of the police department and implements of torture had been seized. The statement said an investigation was being conducted.

Images the prosecutors released showed a Russian military TA-57 telephone with additional wires and alligator clips attached to it.

Ukrainian officials have accused Russian forces of using the Soviet-era radio telephones as a power source to shock prisoners during interrogation.

Govt. launches “The Century Club”...

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From page 15 pensioners can really, not have to suffer frustration and hassle.” During the month of October, the ministry will be planning a number of activities to engage and involve our senior citizens that can impact their mental health well-being and overall wellness. Commenting on the impact the Century Club will make on the

lives of senior citizens, Dr. Persaud said, “you will agree with me that when you hit 100 years, that century, you’ve done what not a lot of people not only in our country and our world have been able to do. I believe we should honour, we should salute, we should pay tribute to those who have. This is the Ministry of Human Services’ way

of saying thank you to them and, really acknowledging their years on earth with us, with something that’s impactful, practical and something that I’m sure they will enjoy and appreciate. I’m very proud to launch the Century Club, and this is in honour of all those Guyanese who hit and surpassed 100 years.

PPP stalwart, Philomena Sahoye-Shury

Securityguardadmits tomurderingwife

hirty eight year old Jermaine

Bristol, a security

T guard of Lot 272 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, has admitted to murdering his common law wifebackin2018.

Last week when he was arraigned before a High Court judge at the Demerara High Court, Bristol admitted to the charge which stated that on August 22, 2018, at, Lot272FreemanStreet,East La Penitence, Georgetown, he murdered 24 year-old S

L

Lawrence, 24, was cornered and brutally stabbed to death in her apartment just a few yards away from the station wife had an argument and he Bristol and Lawrence were whereBristolsurrendered. took a black knife and together for around seven Detectives found the stabbed her five times to her years.RepresentingtheState woman’s body lying in a neck. in this matter is Prosecutor poolofblood. He then immediately MuntazAli and representing She had been stabbed went to the Brickdam Police the accused is attorney-atseveral times. A knife was Station crying and reported law Everton Singh Lammy still stuck in her neck. The the matter and gave a Bristol will be sentenced on facts are that Bristol and his confession statement October27,2022.

Dead, Shanece Lawrence

Accused, Jermaine Bristol

Perez keeps Singapore win as Verstappen puts title celebrations on ice

SINGAPORE, (Reuters) -

Mexican Sergio Perez put in the drive of his life to take victory ahead of Charles Leclerc in yesterday’s Singapore Grand Prix but his victory margin was later slashed as he collected a five-second time penalty for a safety car infringement.

The Red Bull driver took the chequered flag 7.5 seconds ahead of his Monegasque rival after a slow burner, rain-delayed race interrupted by two safety car and five virtual safety car pe-

riods and called at its twohour time limit after 59 of 61 laps. The penalty meant Perez was still classified ahead of Leclerc in the final results, albeit by only 2.5 seconds.

Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari was third. Perez, whose win forced Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen, who finished seventh, to put his championship celebrations on ice, was found to have fallen more than 10 car lengths behind the safety car on three occasions over the course of two safety car peri-

ods.

He also collected a reprimand and two penalty points.

“I controlled the race,” said the 32-year-old, who started alongside pole-sitter Leclerc on the front row and snatched the lead from him off the line on a wet track.

“The last three laps were so intense.

“I gave everything for the win today,” added Perez who pushed hard in the closing stages to open up enough of a gap to Leclerc to cover a penalty. BEST PERFOR-

MANCE

The drive, which Perez hailed as his best performance yet, earned him his fourth career win and second this season, with the Mexican also victorious at Monaco in May. But it also forced team mate Verstappen to delay his title celebrations.

Monday October 03, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

There's an extra spark in your eye that people won't be able to ignore. Today's a good day to get your point across, because you'll find people more open and receptive to new things than usual.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Take yourself on a mental adventure today in which you explore new aspects of your world. Discuss philosophy and religion. Get to the core of a matter that seriously interests you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today is your day, Gemini, so live it up! If it seems like things have been rather intense lately, don't worry, they're apt to lighten up quite a bit today. Feel free to be your usual jolly self,

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Be careful that you aren't acting in a way that you dislike in others, Cancer. You could find that you're slowly taking on the traits of the people you despise.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

The day's general mood should fit quite well with your agenda, Leo. There's no need to fixate on the negative. Keep things light and upbeat and worry about the consequences later.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

You may need a translator to get through to people today, Virgo. It could be hard to make decisions, but not impossible. Today's tip is to err on the side of adventure.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Use your power resources today, Libra, as you have a great deal of dynamic energy at your dispo sal. You have the ability to transform and conquer anything now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You could be asked to make some spontaneous decisions today that you might not feel entirely comfortable making, Scorpio. You could feel you don't have enough facts.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Emotionally, you may feel as if you're running up against a brick wall, Sagittarius. It could be that your first reaction is to drown your sorrows in drink. Escapism is only a temporary remedy.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The Your emo tions could be extra powerful today, Capricorn, although something may not feel as if it's sitting right. It could be a feeling of manipulation.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Take hold of this day as if it's your own and use it to grow your dreams, Aquarius. You'll find a great deal of power and dynamism in the air urging you to take the adventurous route.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

There's a fiery tone to the day that can't be ignored, Pisces. You may find that adjustments need to be made in your own plan of attack in order to get on the same page with other people.

The Dutchman, who had started a furious eighth after being forced to abort his fastest qualifying lap due to a lack of fuel, needed to leave Singapore with a 138 point margin to his closest challenger. Instead, he now holds a 104 point lead over Leclerc and a 106 point advantage against Perez in the overall standings, with next week’s race in Japan allowing him another shot at clinching a second title.

His seventh place, only his second finish outside the top-three this season, snapped a five-race winning streak for the 25-year-old.

It came after an uncharacteristically scrappy race that saw him drop positions off the line and make an extra pitstop after locking up and running wide while challenging McLaren’s Lando Norris for fourth at the second safety car restart.

“It’s just a very frustrating weekend,” said Verstappen.

“We have five races left and we have a big lead but I want to have a good weekend every single time.”

BAD START

Leclerc, who had also started on pole but finished second the last time F1 visited Singapore in 2019, was keen to move on to Japan.

“The bad start put us on the back foot and after that it was a really difficult race,” he said.

Norris finished fourth ahead of team mate Daniel Ricciardo.

The pair handed McLaren their best result of the season, which moved them ahead of Alpine into fourth in the constructors’ standings.

Lance Stroll took sixth ahead of Verstappen, with Sebastian Vettel making it two Aston Martin cars in the points with eighth.

Lewis Hamilton, one of the favourites for victory, was only ninth.

The Briton, starting third, made contact with Sainz at the start and was forced wide.

He slotted into fourth but then locked up on fading intermediate tyres and thumped into the barriers.

“The problems that we have with this car are magnified in the rain,” he said.

Only 14 drivers finished Sunday’s race, the start of which was delayed by a little

over an hour due to heavy rain. Among the retirements was Fernando Alonso, with the Spaniard failing to see the chequered flag on a record 350th F1 start.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the Singapore Grand Prix. (REUTERS/Edgar Su)

WBL World Champion says he needs more fights

BySeanDevers

The Police Boxer

Stephan Da Silva, on September 10, defeated Fiji’s William Mel at the Gary St Clair Superhero Pro Fight Night in Australia to become the new World Boxing League (WBL) Junior Lightweight, title holder

father (Roy Roach). I was like his son and he groomed me into a young man I am today

I also lived with my grandmother (Selena Ramkisson)whowasalways there for me. I always got away to ride around town, l wouldgotothenationalpark tofish,playmarblesplusI’d

Burnham Primary school before going to Ascension Secondary School. He was transferred to the Diamond Secondary School when his parents moved to Diamond HousingScheme.

Apart from cricket Da Silva played football, swam anddidcycling.

“I first got interested in

turned Pro on February 18, 2021.

“I turned pro because it becameapartofmydreamto be the greatest boxer in the world and to help other young boxers like myself in myCountry

I got married on May 9, 2019toShobhaandwehave fourkids, Brandon, Briana, Brain and Stephania ” statedDaSilva

I have two favorite boxers, first the great Mike Tyson, I look up to him because of the way he enters a ring with no respect to the boxer he’s about to face and Manny Paccquiao because he throws and lands most if not all of his punches, he’s always raring to fight no matter the opponent,” Da Silva, who loves meeting people, driving, playing video games and enjoying familytimestated.

decision and as my wife/manger She does what best for me and our family andithelpsthatwealsoshare thesamegoalsanddreams,” theChampnoted.

Da Silva explained that the biggest challenge he has faced is meeting honest and trustworthypromotors.

“That’s what me and mywifearetryingtochange thisfortheupcomingboxers in Guyana for them to be treatedfairly

mapwhereitneedstobe.

I think the boxingboard should start issuing licenses to those seeking to become promotors. In that way they could start having more fightsinourowncountry

On a scale from one to ten I’d rate us at four after seeing and experience the boxingatmosphereoverseas.

He is set to defend that title at home on Gairy St Clair fight night card on December16.

DaSilvawasbornJuly5, 1993 to In

Nandkumar and Fabian DaSilva and is eldest of five siblings,allsisters.

“I grew up at Battery Road Kingston Seawall where the Marriott Hotel is now Growing up was fun. I grew up with one of my sisters(DemiRoach)andher

always be getting into fights,” said Da Silva, who was a good cricketer at School.

“I basically did everythingachildwoulddo backinthedays

Mylifewasfunbuthard for me because I didn’t get to fulfil my dream of becoming a cricketer because my family never supported and encouraged mydreams

Da Silva attended JE

boxing after sharing a moment with my grandma watching boxing on the TV fromtheSportsHall.

She said to me “They already tired in the second round” and I said to her “I thinkifIstartboxingIwould beat them” so looking back, that’s the moment I first got interestedinboxing.

I joined the Republican Boxing Gym, but didn’t do well as an Amateur boxer,” informed Da Silva, who

Windies Women lose

by five wickets;

Zealand takes series 2-1

SportsMax-Despiteaheroiceffortwith batandballfromCaptainHayleyMatthews, the West Indies Women lost the third and final One Day International against New Zealandandwithittheseries2-1attheSir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua yesterday Matthews, having opened the innings, was the leading scorer for the WestIndieswith30thatwererestrictedto 93 9fromtheir20overs

Shakibi Gajnabi contributed 19 while Kyshona Knight scored 16 and Chinelle Henry, 13, but the West Indies Women were unable to get the score beyond100inanotherabjectperformance withthebat

Fran Jonas was the leading wicket taker for New Zealand with 3-16. Suzie

Bates2-5andEdenCarson2-14alsoplayed key roles in helping to restrict the home team.

Needing 94 for victory, Matthews tormented the batters while taking the first fourNewZealandwicketswithjust20runs on the board. However, Moddy Green scored an unbeaten 49 and with Lauren Down put together a 38-run fifth-wicket standthatgotNewZealandbackoncourse.

Down was eventually dismissed by Afy Fletcher for 15, leaving Green and HayleyJensentotakeNewZealandto94-5 andvictorywitheightballstospare.

Jensen remained not out on eightat theend

Matthews ended with 4 12 while Fletcherfinishedwithfiguresof1 12

Da Silva explained how his wife became his manager

“My wife went for her Professional Promoters license since February 18, 2021 and she has not received it up to now so she instead ended up managing me.

Da Silva says it’s not difficult having her as Manager

“We sit and discuss everything before making a

The trip to Australia was so far the most fun and exciting trip I have ever been on seeing it was the first time leaving the Country I have made some memoriesI’dneverforget

Winning the title opened me up to a lot of exposure andopportunitieswithmore tocome,”positedDaSilva.

“WhatIseecomingnext issecuringafewmorefights and title opportunities to keep waving my flag and putting Guyana back on the

The people that have supported me are my wife first and foremost, my uncle, minister of culture youthandsportsMrCharles

teenagers and adults to keep making the right decisions in life and keep goingaftertheirdreams

“To those who are unable or don’t have a certified education, get into some sports it doesn’t need to be boxing but find

for,” Da Silva concluded

Manchester City 6-3 Manchester United: Haaland and Foden hat-tricks

give hosts huge derby win

SportsMax -Ahat-trick each for Erling Haaland and Phil Foden gave Manchester Citya6-3winagainstManchesterUnitedat theEtihadStadiumyesterday

It was a ruthless performance from the Premier League champions, who were four goals up at half-time after tearing United apart time and again with their pass and movefootball.

Antony scored with an excellent strike earlyinthesecondhalfandAnthonyMartial cameoffthebenchtoaddtwomorelateonto makethescoreabitmorerespectable,butit was an otherwise dominant showing from City against Erik ten Hag’s men. Pep Guardiola saw his team go back to within a point of leaders Arsenal at the top of the league,andremaintheonlyunbeatenteamin England’stopflightthisseason.

Ahat-trick each for Erling Haaland and Phil Foden gave Manchester City a 6-3 win

Da Silva meets Minister Robeson Benn.

Da Silva in Australia after winning the title.

England crush Pakistan in seventh T20 to take series

Djokovic wins Tel Aviv final for 89th career title

AFP - Novak Djokovic claimedhisthirdtitleof2022 and89thofhiscareerwithan impressive straight sets victory over Marin Cilic in theTelAvivfinalyesterday

The 35 year old Djokovictriumphed6-3,6-4 to add the Israeli trophy to victories in Rome and Wimbledonthisseason.

It was Djokovic’s 19th winoverCilicin21meetings inarivalrystretchingbackto 2008.

Djokovicwasplayinghis first singles tournament since wrapping up a seventh Wimbledon crown and 21st GrandSlamtitleinJuly

He was banned from the US Open and the entire North American hard court swing over his refusal to be vaccinated before returning forRogerFederer’sfarewell in theLaverCup teamevent inLondonlastmonth.

On Sunday, Djokovic broke Cilic in the second

game of the final and pocketed the first set with a fourth ace after 47 minutes oncourt.

Former US Open winner Cilic, chasing a 21st career title but first of 2022, was brokeninthefirstgame ofthesecondsetandthe34year-oldneverrecovered.

(Reuters) - A sublime fifty from Dawid Malan and three wickets for Chris Woakes guided England to a thumping 67-run win over Pakistan in the seventh Twenty20 in Lahore yesterday as they clinched the series 4-3inamajorboostaheadoftheWorldCup.

Chasing 210, Pakistan suffered a double blow when captain Babar Azam (4) and Mohammad Rizwan (1) departed in quick succession as England’s pace attack made early inroads and reduced the hosts to 33-3 underthelightsatGaddafiStadium.

ShanMasoodputupsomeresistancewith afighting56butEngland,ledbyWoakes(326),keptchippingawaywithregularwickets. David Willey returned figures of 2-22 while Reece Topley, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran pickedupawicketeach.

Earlier, England lost both openers

cheaplyafterbeingaskedtobatbeforeMalan (78) and Harry Brook (46) shared an unbeaten108-runstandforthefourthwicket topowerthetouriststo209-3in20overs.

Mohammad Wasim (0-61) and Shadab Khan(0-39)borethebruntoftheirassaultas MalanandBrookmadethemostofPakistan’s sloppiness in the field, with Babar guilty of offeringreprievestobothbatsmen.

England continue their preparations for the World Cup with a three-match series againstAustraliastartingnextSunday,while Pakistan face Bangladesh and New Zealand inatri-seriesfromFriday

The World Cup in Australia gets underwayonOct.16.

Scores: England 209 for 6 (Malan 78*, Brook46*)beatPakistan142for8(Shan56, Woakes3-26)by67runs.

Paul, Beaton named in strong Essequibo team

All-RounderKemoPaul and Fast Bowler Ronsford have been selected in a strong Essequibo 14-man squad to participate in the Senior 50 over Inter County cricket tournament which is scheduled to commence on Sunday with DemerarafacingBerbice.

The competition continues on October 11 and13withthefinalsetfor October 15 This tournament will be used to pick the Guyana Squad for this year’s Regional Super50.

Beaton and Paul, who

both represented the West Indies,weremembersofthe Guyana Warriors team in thejustconcludedCPL.

The pair was also in the Guyana First-Class squad which played in the Regional Four Day tournamentwhichwasheld inTrinidadearlierthisyear

The squad will be led by National left arm spinner Anthony Adams and included Ricardo Adams, Kevin Boodie and KemolSavory

The full Squad is Anthony Adams (Capt), Ricardo Adams, Kevin

Boodie, Kemol Savory, Kemo Paul, Ronsford Beaton, Neiland Cadogan, Nathan Persaud, Garfield Phillips, Eknauth Persaud, Haimant Singh, Wasim Mohammed and Kevin Christian.

Nankishore Andrews is the Coach while former National U 19 batter Royan Fredericks is the Manager Joshua Jones, Leo Ryan Ramlakhan, Akini Adams, Avinash Persaud, Shane Wong and Ricardo Petershavebeennamedas Reserves. (SeanDevers)

The Serb only faced one break point in the final which was clinched in 94 minutes.

Djokovic, who didn’t drop a set all week, now heads to the Astana ATP tournament where world number one Carlos Alcaraz takesthetopseeding.

Kipruto takes maiden London Marathontitle, Yehualaw storms to victory

LONDON, (Reuters)Kenyan Amos Kipruto won his first London Marathon titleyesterdayandEthiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw stormed to victory in the women’s race ahead of last year’s winner Joyciline Jepkosgei.

Kipruto made a move with five kilometres left and finished in two hours four minutes and 39 seconds to take his first marathon title aftercomingsecondtoworld record holder Eliud KipchogeinJapaninMarch.

Yehualaw, 23, who only ran her first competitive marathon in April in Germany,winningitwiththe fastest debut time in history andanEthiopianrecord,was equally impressive after making light work of the fieldinLondon.

Without home favourite Mo Farah, who withdrew with a hip injury, and Kipchoge absent after smashing his own marathon record in Berlin last week, theotherbignamesfellaway in the latter stages of the men’srace.

Veteran Kenenisa Bekele, the second fastest marathoner of all time and one of the greatest distance

runners in history, dropped off the leading group as did last year’s champion, EthiopianSisayLemma.

Kipruto’stitleondebutin London never looked in doubtafterthatashecrossed the line well ahead of Ethiopian Leul Gebresilase in second followed by Somali-born Belgian Bashir Abdi in third. Bekele dug deeptofinishfifth.

In the absence of world record holder and twice LondonMarathonchampion Brigid Kosgei, who withdrewduetoahamstring injury, seven women had

pulled clear by the halfway stage, led by Ethiopia’s AsheteBekere.

One by one the leading group dropped out, with Yehualaw,whofellatthe33kilometremark,andKenyan Jepkosgei picking up the pace to open up a gap over thefieldwithfivekilometres remaining.

Yehualaw established a commanding lead in the closing stages, crossing the line in two hours, 17 minutes and 25 seconds, ahead of Jepkosgei and Ethiopia’s Alemu Megertu inthird

Novak Djokovic

Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw crosses the line to win the women’s elite race. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)

Dawid Malan drives over the covers during his free-flowing innings. (Getty Images)

Rebels Tennis Club Junior Tournament

Renola Jordan cops two titles

India win T20 series with 16-run victory over South Africa

GUWAHATI,India(AP)

— David Miller’s second Twenty20 century went in vain as India beat South Africa by 16 runs yesterday towinthethree-matchseries with an unassailable 2 0 lead.

Millerscored106notout off 47 balls after South Africa had been reduced to 47-3inreplytoIndia’s237-3 inthesecondT20.

Miller put on 174 with QuintondeKock(69notout) off 82 balls for the unbeaten fourthwicket.

The visitors finished at 221-3 and fell just short of what was India’s fourth highesttotalinT20s.

T h i s w a s a f t e r Suryakumar Yadav smashed61off22ballsand Lokesh Rahul scored 57 off 28 for India, which batted firstafterlosingthetoss RahulandRohitSharma (43) put on 96 for the opening stand Yadav then went after South African bowling that was already struggling with high humidity Yadav hit five fours and five sixes, reaching his halfcentury off only 18 balls. It wasthethirdfastestforIndia inT20s.

ViratKohliscored49not

out off 28 balls, and put on 102 runs off 40 deliveries with Yadav for the third wicket.

In reply, South Africa got off to a poor start Arshdeep Singh (2 62) dismissed Temba Bavuma andNo.3RileeRossouwfor ducks.

This cost the Proteas vital early momentum that proved decisive in the end

It was India’s first ever bilateral T20 win over South Africa on home

so il It was also South Africa’s first defeat in seven bilateralengagements.

“India put us under pressure from the start. It allowed us to express ourselves,” Miller said. “We hadtogofromball1(but)we werejust16runsshort.”

The third T20 will be playedinIndoreonTuesday in both sides’ final T20 warmups before the World Cup gets underway in Australialaterthismonth.

India won the first T20

Wednesday last It d i d not make any changes yesterdaytothatteam.

South Africa made one change with pacer Lungi Ngidi coming in for wrist spinnerTabraizShamsi

The match was only the third T20 at the BarsaparaStadium

Scores: India 237 for 3 (Suryakumar 61, Rahul 57, Kohli 49*, Maharaj 2 23) beat South Africa 221 for 3 (Miller 106*, de Kock 69*,Arshdeep 2 62) by16runs

Confident Cariah gets first taste of action Down Under

The finals of the Rebel

Championshipswereheldat theGBTICourtinDiamond on the East Bank of Demerara yesterday and when the curtains came d

DeNobrega, Renola Jordon andGeraldScotlandwonthe individualtitles.

DeNobrega captured the BoysU-14titlewhenhebeat Navindra Arjune 6/1,6/2,

while in the Girls U-14 Finals, Jordan avenged her loss in the U-18 Finals by defeating Paula Kalekyez 6/2, 6/4 in the Girls U-14 Finals.

Scotlandgotthebetterof Ricky Romascindo 6/3, 6/0 totaketheBoysU-18Title.

In the Girls Doubles

Final Renola Jordon and Pa

K

DevanieArjuneandNorella Jordan 6/0, 6/0 (Sean Devers)

Yannic Cariah was all smiles as he arrived at the Metricon Stadium for his first training session in Australia On a cool afternoon he joined teammates during an intense trainingsessiononthescenic GoldCoast.Cariaharrivedin Australia as part of the first groupofWestIndiesplayers totouchdown,DownUnder Theallrounderisonhisfirst overseastourwiththemen’s senior team and expressed greatdelighttobepartofthe 15-membersquad.

“I’m feeling really great to be in the group for the upcoming series as well as theT20WorldCuptofollow We touched down and the workhasstarted.

It is a great honour to represent the people of the

region at any level. I’m here and ready to go any challenges I’m ready for it,” hesaid.

The right handed leg spinner and left handed batter announced himself on theinternationalstagewitha well-crafted half century in the CG United ODI Series against New Zeeland in August.

He made topscored with 52 in his first knock at KensingtonOval.

“The way I performed against New Zealand gave me confidence. Now we’re here in Australia this is myfirsttimeplayinghere… First,Iwanttogetusetothe conditions, as we are a long way from home, and then maintain my processes and look to perform ion the big

stage.

I was doing a lot of fitness work at home and sharpening up my skills. I have played a lot of cricket with many members of the team, so I’ve fitted in quite well.”

West Indies will face Australiainatwo-matchT20

International Series in Queensland before the ICC T20WorldCup.

The opening match is Wednesday at the Metricon Stadium in the Gold Coast andthesecondatTheGabba in Brisbane on Friday First ball is 7pm local time (5am Eastern Caribbean/4am JamaicaTime).

Cariahpreviouslyplayed for West Indies Under-19 at the ICC World Cup 2010 in New Zealand and was captain of the West Indies EmergingPlayerswhenthey wontheCGUnitedSuper50 in2019.

MATCHSCHEDULE

Wednesday 5 October: 1st T20I at Metricon Stadium

Friday 7 October: 2nd T20IatTheGabba

Renola Jordan (left) beat Paula Kalekyez.

India’s Virat Kohli, second right, congratulates South Africa’s David Miller on scoring a century during the second T20 cricket match between India and South Africa, in Guwahati, India, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Nathan DeNobrega (right) beat Navindra Arjune.

Gerald Scotland (left) beat Ricky Romascindo.

Yannic Cariah

Confident

gets first taste of action Down Under

Yannic Cariah during training at the Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast. (CWI)

Kemo Paul & Ronsford Beaton

Mr Mohammed is flanked by DaSilva & his wife Shohba.