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Guyana, Brazil talk Sunday Edition NEWS closer collaborations to further develop local agriculture sector AIETEUR

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

October 10, 2021

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $140

Online readership yesterday, 91,761

Guyana's oil sector still without 100 plus safeguards recommended by IMF, UNDP Govt. uses IDB loan to purchase equipment for prisoners

The protest continues for change to the Exxon contract.

Victim moves out of community after attacker was released on bail

Man, 21, among 10 COVID-19 fatalities - Ministry says all were unvaccinated

Chemical changes in Guyana's water causing significant - Mid-year Report reduction in seafood production 4&7pm on Kaieteur Guyana’s profit share reduces from 12.5% to 9% after paying oil companies' taxes.@ 11am, Radio 99.1/99.5FM The Govt. ignoring Prospecting Licence Agreement in which we are losing billions of US Dollars and shame to tell the sugar workers that they are shutting down the industry.

Leaked Pandora document reveals a handful of world leaders, Govt. officials looting the wealth of this world.

Robert Persaud and Kamal Dookie who ended up owning 100% shares in the Canjie Oil Block knocking glasses these days.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers The second edition of Guyana’s Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers is now available, and must be made to shine in all that it enshrines, all that it could mean. When put into practice on a consistent basis, by all Judicial Officers of this country, it could make so much of a difference in so many areas of life, many of which suffer from a serious lack of confidence. The Guyana Judiciary is no exception.

We, at this paper, state our position in ringing terms: when there is a truly independent and ethical judiciary, then there is the perception and reality that justice is, indeed, served. It is that justice for all exists, regardless of station, even when citizens are poor and despised, when unconnected. For too many Guyanese, especially those at the bottom of the economic and social ladders, there is the sense that they are cheated out of justice by ongoing injustices, by failures in the human resource section of the justice system.

We will also be clear about something else: the local justice system is only as good as the judicial officers manning its dangerous bridges, its tempting dark corners, its precarious corridors. If the justice system is peopled by those with a certain gleam in their eye, then not the first edition, not this second edition, not any number of editions will make a difference. The men and women, those who are deserving of our respect, if not admiration, maybe even the occasional rare instances of awe, are those who make the Code of Ethics sparkle with powerful light that cannot and will not be suppressed, because it will shine through any darkness, from any source. It will stand any demanding test, withstand any improper intrusions, and overcome any manifestations that derail the wise and reliable and credible administration of justice. In other words, justice will not be subverted to the whims and caprices of those who desire to use it for their own narrow, self-serving interests and visions.

We need such in this country, if only to thwart the interferences of the powerful, the rich, and the criminal. To this end, it was fitting that Chancellor (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards in her address identified the core values of “independence, impartiality, equality, competence, and diligence” as vital to the work of judicial officers. Those are non-negotiable, should never be available for bartering, or any other manner of exchanging. They are too priceless to be subject to such shabby bazaar practices, which leave all less than worthy of the great responsibility, and the corresponding great trusts, that are so intertwined in any judicial machinery.

The Chancellor (Ag) herself, and her erudite colleague, the Chief Justice (Ag), Roxane George, are both well aware of the perceptions that plague the operations of Guyana’s judiciary. In a recent address, mention was made of the ground lost, the clean ground to be recovered. This is what authorises and assures a trusted justice system.

It is where Guyana’s Code of Ethics and its Judicial Officers are as one, to the point of being indecipherable identical twins. Code and officers mirror and reinforce each other, which is when true justice prevails. It will not brook any inroads by other arms in the constitutional governance apparatus.

It will not respond to the lures of lucre, or any such attempted infiltrations and damnations. Let this also be said, independence and impartiality will only come and flourish when there is deep and abiding personal integrity on the part of judicial officers. It is the fullness of their integrity, at the individual and collective levels, that guarantees independence and impartiality, and not the other way around.

We thank the team for its hard work behind-the-scenes.

Now the harder work of making the code come alive in all the majesty of its contents is what could go a long way in easing some of the chronic misconceptions, not altogether misplaced distrusts, and continuing low expectations that are now too much a part and parcel of the local judicial scene. If this Code of Ethics is embraced then, we can have every confidence in that old Latin phrase: Fiat Justitia ruatcaelum – let justice be done, though the heavens fall.

Guyana, a Dubai with Rolls-Royce or Donkey Carts?

Dear Editor, My good friend in the UK, a popular West Demerara author, writer, singer, philanthropist and social worker wrote, “Statistically, in terms of GDP per population head, yes Guyana could become one of the richest countries in the world. You only have to divide a few hundred billion US Dollars by 750,000 people and there is the answer. However, a better way for me is to establish how every single citizen actually benefits from the oil and gas money. In other words, there should be no one defined as poor in Guyana.” A calm reaction is reflected in this response to which he acknowledged.

Guyana, a Dubai with Rolls-Royce or Donkey Carts? Guyanese richness is being plundered, raped and exported to the Foreign Investors with the callous assistance of local players, all

playing the man in the street for a hem and haw and a sucker! Local players are all imbibing in the luxury of kickbacks hidden in safe havens and sheltered overseas under disguise.

Fiddle sticks continuously trickle into the main stream to boast a false sense of generosity and commitment, and, to create a diversion from any in-depth equitable distribution realistically. This alternative pacification alternates itself respectively for different segments in the society, conveniently placated strategically to serve different purposes. The bigger picture is invincibly visionless to the short sighted consumer, the ultimate significance of real worth is beyond the grasp of the man in the street and the majority is none the wiser with the panoramic view of loss suffered by the nation as a result of clever, collaborative

and corruptive confusion, created by a syndicate of dedicated devious agents loyal to a cause of dictating a pace to control a greater part of the nation kept in the dark with hidden information or thwarted facts. Will Guyana remain a country, luxurious for the rich people and impoverished for the poor people? Who will be the game changer, the leaders who are bleeders or the community without immunity?

Guyana started off on its Oil Industry on the wrong footing, with shady characters, and, a cloudy ambience: (1) The distribution of the oil blocks was a big secret; (2) the owners of all the blocks are yet to be disclosed; (3) all Guyanese were not privy to the wheeling and dealing from inception; (4) ownership changed hands at an exorbitant price with Guyana gaining not a cent

from such deals; (5) the PNC Party Govt. signed a lopsided agreement (6) it was the worst deal in the history of the oil industry globally; (7) Guyana’s negotiators refused to listen to oil experts advice;(8) to date, PNC’s Trotman who signed the agreement, refuses to tell the nation on whose advice he was instructed to sign the deal; (9) Trotman was wined, dined and overtly hospitably accommodated in Texas by Exxon at Exxon’s expense; (10) this ultimately led to be a selling out of an entire nation real wealth; (11) a puny US$18M signing bonus was originally hidden, denied and then confessed by the then PNC Govt.(12) a quick comparison with tiny Suriname’s deals will reveal the diverse, divided and damaging differences with the two countries’ contracts (13) Guyana’s contract with (Continued on page 6)

Sunday October 10, 2021

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Kaieteur News

More resisters getting the vaccine, progress towards herd immunity, all Guyana wins!

Dear Editor, While many of the unvaccinated in the USA are being fired from their jobs, Minister Anthony has reported some good news that the vaccination rate in Guyana is inching up slowly as more and more resisters have seen the writing on the wall and are getting vaccinated. My friend Suresh in a chiding mood said, “Wha dem should do first, dem a do last.” I say better late than never!

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Narine Singh said, “Pregnant and breastfeeding

women are among the groups of people who are no longer exempted from receiving the COVID-19 vaccines.”As of October 6, a total of 365,274 adults have received a COVID-19 vaccine, representing 71.2 percent of the adult population whereas 218,120 or 42.5 percent are fully inoculated. I trust the Government would release data on the number of people vaccinated and unvaccinated in the various state agencies, including teachers and nurses.

Vaccination of only 50 percent of prisoners is unacceptable.

One grave concern, the Minister said, is the current batch of Pfizer vaccines are slated to expire in November and December. We have spent billions of dollars on vaccines so I hope the Government has an aggressive plan to deploy all these vaccines so our money is not wasted. The unvaccinated must step up in larger numbers to make good use of our stock of vaccines, especially with 100,000 more doses of Pfizer received on Friday.

A bit of good news is that Pfizer and BioNTech have

asked federal regulators in the USA to authorise emergency use of their coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. This is good news because it would help us to keep all children safe as we seek to open up all schools to deal with learning loss and accelerate learning for all.

Meanwhile, here are some recent headlines in the USA. “Kaiser Permanente suspends 2,200 of its employees nationwide over vaccine mandate” employees who have refused to get vaccinated against

COVID-19 were put on unpaid administrative leave. Kaiser said the number of unvaccinated workers is declining each day.

Employees have until December 1, 2022 to get vaccinated to be able to return to work or risk losing their jobs.

“NY’s largest healthcare provider fires 1,400 who refused to get Covid vaccine” -Northwell Health announced it was parting ways with staff who did not comply with the state’s vaccine mandate for health care workers.

“Northwell believes that having a fully vaccinated workforce is an important measure in our duty to protect the health and safety of our staff, our patients and the communities we serve,” the rep said. “Northwell regrets losing any employee under such circumstances, but as health care professionals and members of the largest health care provider in the state, we understand our unique responsibility to protect the health of our patients and each other. We owe it to our (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur News

The news in poetry

By Haimnauth Cecil Ramkirath I look at the faded, yellow-stained newspapers of last year.

The people, places, and seasons have changed.

We have new socks, new toothbrushes, new bills to pay.

But it’s the same, same, same news I read and hear today.

This damned dreaded virus will just not go away.

The school shootings seem all here to stay.

And when the ratings of the news channels are down, providence sends a serial killer around, leaks of insider trading, pandora papers, politicians caught napping.

A disgraced politician, our boots are on the rascal’s head.

The forests are all burning, tsunamis are coming.

How can we live with all this global warming?

But don’t worry, nirvana comes with a new pill from Big Pharma.

The news brings in the comic relief of a hushed court.

We examine and cross-examine witnesses.

We become experts in evidence and criminology.

With bated breath we wait and wait and wait for the verdict.

We dance in the streets; we break windows with bare fists.

The news is a long-twisted sensational wire that wraps around our heads with blood and fire.

We are drained; our hairs turned grey in an hour.

Our dinners are desecrated by the breaking news.

We teared into the meat.

We teared into the neck of another monster on screen.

The news hurts, but those recurring commercial breaks put us to the blade.

Waves of desires rise and never subside, when a sweet slim girl invites us to that elegant new car.

If they are repeated, then the lies must be true.

Our feelings, our longing for life woefully twisted by commercials that promise us too much, that make us feel that we never lived.

And in those breaks, I take my mini walks, lest I feel this robot-like atrophy of the heart.

A scandal or a murder, it will be on the news hour.

And I sit and wait for the news that will make me feel it’s still a beautiful world out there.

Extend Anti-corruption Sting Operations to Higher Level Dear Editor, The police are congratulated and rewarded for their investigative work and sting operation, purportedly catching a PS accepting a bribe relating to a contract award (Permanent Secretary caught red handed collecting bribe, Oct. 09, 2021.) That is splendid work!

There should be an investigative scheme for police officers to expose corruption at all levels of government.

Who authorised the operation (gave the political directive) and why target Ms. Hicks and that Ministry while corruption is condoned elsewhere? My friends and I were having a Friday afternoon chat after work. We

all agree that is chicken feed money. We all know of and see corruption all around, some in the millions. The recipients are known and are in higher positions.

We all asked why not extend the sting operation to Ministerial levels? Expose the skullduggery at Agriculture, Infrastructure, and other Ministries!

There are reports that some contracts are done without tendering. There are reports that road contracts and huge land deals are done without tendering. A cement factory was approved for construction in a residential area that will harm the people on the East Coast – cancerous pollutants will be in the air while a concrete factory in

another residential area on the East Bank was closed down.

Are we missing something?

How was approval given to build one on the East Coast?

Staff considered to be too decent to be employed in some ministries are being removed as in NDIA. Will there be an investigation into the mud flat land deal to a friend from Kingston to Better Hope, 2.98 nautical miles from coast outward?

Will the police please extend sting operations at every agency and Ministry?

Will the political operative who gave the order for the sting operation do the same elsewhere?

Yours truly, Jillian Adams

...More resisters getting the vaccine, progress towards herd From page 5 staff, our patients and the communities we serve to be 100 percent vaccinated against COVID-19.”

And in New York City where 97 percent of teachers are now vaccinated, the headline - “My heart is breaking: NYC teachers who refuse vaccination prepare for possibility of being

removed.” Scientists are increasingly concerned vaccinated people may be more susceptible to serious illness than was previously thought.

One more headline, “Unvaxxed Colorado woman speaks out after hospital denies lifesaving transplant: ‘My days are numbered’.”In September,

the Colorado health system denied the kidney transplant because she won’t be vaccinated against COVID due to her religious views.

So nation, let’s make a big push to use up all the vaccines and reach herd immunity that would let us open up the country fully.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Sunday October 10, 2021

Disagree with GHK Lall, agree with naming a street after Gandhi Dear Editor, Reference is made to GHK Lall’s “Gandhi – confessions and acknowledgement” (Oct. 8) in response to a suggestion to rename a street after the iconic leader. Lall made reference to Gandhi’s view of Black South Africans and queried whether the Indian government would name a street after a Guyanese.

I think Lall is one of the more objective writers in the media, and he seems to possess much knowledge on varied issues and topics, a rarity among Guyanese. But his background and knowledge of Gandhi and of names of places in India seems limited.

It is true that in his earliest encounters with Black South Africans, Gandhi made a distasteful remark about them that could be interpreted as anti-Black. Gandhi came to South Africa as a 21-year-old lawyer who never encountered Blacks before.

He was in Durban to represent a client in court. He did not go to South Africa to represent interests of Africans, but of Indians who, like Indo-Guyanese, were taken to South Africa as indentured labourers on sugar plantations. He represented his client with the highest of ethics. He grounded with Indians initially and later Blacks as

well. He did not know the history of the society or the socio-economic position of Black Africans.

His impression of Blacks was formed from his early encounters, and he was not aware of the racism of the society. However, over time, a matured Gandhi displayed a deep understanding of the Black South Africans and the African people as a whole. He empathised with them, and he championed their struggle, equality, and freedom. He fought against racism and for the upliftment of Blacks.

In a speech in 1908, Gandhi remarked, “Who can think of the British Empire without India? South Africa would be a howling wilderness without the Africans.” He also stated that it was “the responsibility of the British to raise the Africans to equality with themselves, to give them absolutely free institutions and make them absolutely freemen”. In another speech in 1910, Gandhi remarked, “Africans alone are the original inhabitants of the land. … The whites, on the other hand, have occupied the land forcibly and appropriated it to themselves”. Those views are in sharp contrast with his initial impression of Blacks made in 1893 – a complete evisceration of any prejudicial

feelings, a completely transformed Gandhi.

On naming places or streets in India, I don’t know if GHK Lall ever visited India.

There are several streets named after non-Indians and foreigners – Africans, Whites, Chinese or Orientals, Arabs, Hispanic, Christians, and Muslims – including after Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, ML King, JF Kennedy, among others. In fact, there is an Africa Avenue.

I am sure the Indian government would have no objection naming a place after a Guyanese if deserving. Lall is of the view that names of places and streets should be named after Guyanese. Is he proud of some streets and places named after the late dictator Forbes Burnham and his daughters and wife?

Would it not be better if those places are named after Gandhi?

And Gandhi is not a foreigner for Guyanese. His life transcended boundaries.

He is a global citizen. He fought against indentureship, putting an end to the inhumane system of labour in 1920. It is noted that almost every country has a street or place named after Gandhi. Guyana is yet to name a place after the iconic leader.

It is about time.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

...Guyana, a Dubai with Rolls-Royce or Donkey From page 4 Exxon is stated as nonnegotiable without Exxon agreeing to negotiate; (14) the agreement has Guyana squishing in the crutches, locked in Exxon’s jaws and paws, Exxon with its knees on the back of Guyana and its hands on the throat of Guyana leaving no room to breathe; (15) Trinidad is able to renegotiate its contracts but Guyana would not even attempt an approach in this direction; (16) every single unimaginable expense Exxon incurs, is recoverable; (17) Guyana is paying Exxon’s taxes; (18) Exxon hires more overseas workers; (19) Guyanese workers are being unfairly treated;(20) Guyanese hired do not enjoy same pay as those from overseas; (21) Guyana cannot monitor Exxon’s operations; (22) Guyana is yet to audit Exxon’s books; (23) Guyana needs Exxon’s permission to visit them; (24) Guyana is clueless of what Exxon is actually doing in the ocean; ((25) the gas flaring is a nightmare issue; (26) the absence of Ring Fencing is a gift to Exxon; (27) the absence of a proper

oil spill agreement is horrendous; (28) Guyana is incapable of effecting stringent environmental protection; (28) oily water is now being observed at the Kitty seashore with the authorities refusing to raise an enquiry; (29) the fishermen are complaining of the loss of catch to a heedless government; (30) recent earthquake ruptures in the hinterland remain unconcerned for explanation of cause; (31) Guyana’s learning experts seem to know more than the tried, proven and tested experts, established and hired overseas; (32) transparency is not only a forgotten word but a lost cause; (33) the PPP’s election campaign trail promised a lot of changes, including renegotiation of oil contracts, but now?; (34) why was the oil contract hidden from the public for such a long time?; (35) shouldn’t there be a COI (Commission of Inquiry) as to why such a diabolical, devastating and detrimental contract was signed?; (36) Food for thought or, food for indigestion?; (37) why all this clouded and shrouded

darkness?; (38) why are world experts’ opinions not validated by the Government?; (39) can you imagine the gas to shore project and its fiddled infiltrations?; (40) Who is defining local content?; (41) does local have a national alias known as “regional and international”?; (42) who is continuously selling out the rights of Guyanese?; (43) why are Guyanese not prioritised as suppliers for all things local?; (44) why are Guyanese ignored, trampled and side stepped?; (45) why are the relevant authorities voiceless in this matter?; (46) where is the transparency which so many electoral manifestos claimed to profess?; (47) will there be a Commission of Inquiry regarding the Trotman/Exxon saga?; (48) isn’t the Government interested to know who authorised Trotman to sell out Guyana’s rights?; (49) isn’t the Government interested in providing this data to the Guyanese public?; (50) who is sleeping in bed with whom?

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Sunday October 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Everyplace we turn to, Guyana gets scammed.

Everyone we do business with tries to pull fast ones on us.

The latest example is the $290M airport scanner which broke down after five months.

Imagine Guyanese: a brand-new car is bought at great expense, and after five months it breaks down.

Hard-earned money and hard sacrifices and these things happen.

It is not technological failure alone.

It is chronic leadership failure, too.

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PAGE 08

Sunday October 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Govt. uses IDB loan to purchase equipment for prisoners W

ith a sum of G$11 million, the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) is aiming to boost the rehabilitation of prisoners by preparing them for reintegration into their respective communities as positive contributors to the dev lopment of the country.

This move is also aimed at reducing the recidivism rate of prisoners according to CSSP Project Manager, Vishraj Singh.

The money for this venture, he explained, represents part of a US$15 million loan from the InterAmerican Development Bank and will be used to procure agricultural tools and protective gear for the

Guyana Prison Service.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, on Friday handed over the items to the Director of Prisons, Mr. Nicklon Elliot, at the CSSP's Head Office at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. “We have to take the position based on the losses at the Camp Street and Lusignan Prisons in terms of retooling and bringing in new approaches towards the rehabilitation of persons in the prison system,” Minister Benn noted.

The items were purchased so that the prisoners can benefit from skills training in the areas of p l u m b i n g , m a s o n r y, electrical installation, agriculture, carpentry and joinery as well as mechanical

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn handing over the items to Prisons Director Nicklon Elliot.

r

epairs.

The CSSP focuses on the development of the police and prison organisations in Guyana.

The US$15M loan from the IDB, which was made available in February of 2015, was geared at reducing the levels of crime and violence countrywide.

According to the CSSP P r o j e c t M a n a g e r, i n December of 2015 a sum of US$200,000 was disbursed from the loan and since then, a total of 92 percent of the loan has been spent.

The remaining eight percent, he said, is expected to be disbursed before the

end of this year since the loan expires in June of 2022.

The CSSP over the years has carr i e d o u t m a n y successful projects such as the Safe Neighbour-hood S u r v e y , t h e construction of 12 police st a t i o n s a n d t h e remodelling of the H e a t i n g Ve n t i l a t i on and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system at the Forensic Lab. There is also the remodelling and extension of the Blairmont Police Station which is set to commence before the end of this year.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

PAGE 09

3 Berbice locations identified for flood relief complaints - Regional Chairman - process set to commence tomorrow Following several allegations of irregularities in the distribution of the flood relief monies to persons in Region Six who would have lost c o n s i d e r a b l y, t h r e e locations have been identified for persons to visit or call to report their losses. This initiative was announced during the Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo's, visit to Berbice on Monday.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, during Friday's statutory meeting at the Regional Democratic Council stated that the decision was taken by the VP to “re-open the process for another month whereby persons can come and report that they did lose things.” He said that many persons have made claims that they would have lost during the recent flood situation but that their names were not recorded during the registration process. The registration process was carried out by agriculture extension workers on the ground in the various communities in Region Six. “So that process is now re-opened and there are three areas that will be designated where you can go and make that report.

One of the areas is going to be here at the region office downstairs and the number is 333-2998. Bill Jhagroo, an officer from

Dem

boys seh...

Regional Chairman, David Armogan

NAREI, GRDB and GLDA will be there,” Armogan said.

He noted that while the process has been re-opened, payments will not be automatic following the filing of reports. The reports, he noted, will have to be verified and if proven legitimate, the names will be added to the existing list.

The other locations identified will be at No. 63 Village (the Benab) and at the Albion Sports Complex.

The offices will become operational from Monday, “so those who would have lost and did not receive any benefit can come at these three offices,” said Armogan.

The Chairman also noted cases where persons did not lose as much as they claimed but benefitted “in a way they should not have.”

As such he invited persons to speak out about such cases, adding that those reports will be investigated

and “actions will be taken according to the Vice President.”

“If you know that they have five acres and they claim that they lost 15 acres, we would be happy to have that kind of information so that we can deal with those people,” Armogan said.

The VP on Monday announced that a mechanism will be put in place for persons who suffered losses during the floods to verify their names.

Persons whose names were not included on the list and those that received but should not have received.

To the tune of $8 billion, the programme was implemented to support those who suffered losses during the floods. “We hired people to look out for our (the Government's) interest to verify it (the gathering of the necessary information),” Jagdeo said at the Welfare Ground in East Canje, Berbice.

Approval gan come eventually

Watch and see how much ah dem rich people wah get Sputnik V vaccine gan go back fuh get de Pfizer jab. Is not dat dem nah trust de Russian-made vaccine. Is dat dem so desperate fuh go America dat dem willing fuh tek another shot.

But dem boys wan tell dem dat time longer dan twime and dem should wait because is only a matter of time before de World Health Organization approve de Sputnik V vaccine.

Summer dun and de place getting cold. So stay hay where de sun does shine every day and wait fuh de

approval of de vaccine because right now de Americans only approving dem vaccines wah dem favour.

It mek dem boys remember de story of de woman wah walk in de Pharmacy and say: “I would like to buy some poison."

De surprised Pharmacist ask she: “Why in de world yuh n e e d p o i s o n ? " She reply: “Ah need it to poison meh husband."

De Pharmacists eyes tun really big and he say: “Ah can't sell you poison to kill yuh husband.

Dat is against de law. I

will lose my Pharmacy licence and dem will throw me in jail.

Absolutely not!

YOU CANNOT HAVE ANY POISON." De lady den pull a picture out of she purse showing de Pharmacist she husband with de Pharmacist's wife.

De Pharmacist examine de picture fuh a couple minutes, sighs and hands it back saying: "Well now dat's different.

You didn't tell me you had a prescription."

Talk half and nah act rash!

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Sunday October 10, 2021

Chemical changes in Guyana's water causing significant reduction - Mid-year Report in seafood production Mending their nets. This group of fishermen had spoken with Kaieteur News reporters at theMeadow Bank Fish Wharf.

Chemical changes in Guyana's coastal waters have caused a significant decrease in shrimp production. This is according to the Ministry of Finance's 2021 Mid-Year Report.

According to the Report, a review of the first six months of 2021 revealed that Guyanese fishermen recorded lower catch rates for white belly shrimp and finfish. The Report highlighted too that compared to the same period

for the previous year there was a significant decrease in the production of white belly shrimp and finfish by 75.5 percent and 26.3 percent, respectively.

It was stated that the significant reduction in the production of white belly shrimp was caused by a change in salinity of coastal waters. Salinity is the degree of saltiness of the water.

E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, interviews were conducted

by Kaieteur News which

suggested that our fishermen have been “catching hell”.

In fact, this media house had reported that it received numerous reports of a rapid depletion of fish in Guyana's waters. It was reported that a number of fishermen have blamed poor regulations by the Government for issuing too many fishing licences, thereby causing the sea to become overcrowded with fishing boats.

While others believe that it might be as a result of the

ongoing exploration, drilling and production of crude by ExxonMobil. In light of this, no independent study has been made public by the government about the effects these oil operations have on the nation's marine life.

Moreover, the Mid-Year Report stated that the decrease in the white belly shrimp and finfish production outweighed the growth recorded in the production of seabob shrimp, tuna, prawns and red snapper.

When compared to the same period last year, the overall fish and shrimp production fell by 22.1 percent and 8 percent, respectively and based on the industry's half-year performance, it is now expected to decrease by 0.5 percent in 2021.

During the reviewed

period, $121.7 million of the $292.4 million budgeted for the fisheries subsector was expended and the fishing industry's production decreased by an estimated 6.6 percent when compared with the same period in 2020.

Within the first six months of this year, the Government re-launched the National Fisherfolk Organisation and the Parika and Meadow Bank Fisherman Cooperatives.

There has also been training in Organisational Management and Monitoring of financial transactions and other records for the fisheries industry.

The report also stated that a breeding programme is being developed for the indigenous species at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station to

provide Patwa, Lukanani and Hassar fingerlings, and snail hatchlings at a subsidised cost to farmers. Further, the channels at No.66 Village and Albion landing sites were desalted to facilitate movement of fishing vessels.

Additionally, a Strategic Plan for 2021-2026 which was created for the development of inland fisheries and aquaculture was completed, and amendments to the Fisheries Act 2002 to incorporate inland fisheries and an aquaculture legislative framework are being drafted.

In March 2021, an aquaculture committee was established to provide strategic direction for the commercialisation of the aquaculture industry and the preparation of the aquaculture master plan.

Sunday October 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Sunday October 10, 2021

NGSA process benefits from historic quality checking by CXC

T

he Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has, for the first time since it began setting, marking and managing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) in 2016, commenced and completed a process of verification to ensure that the scores gained by the candidates are recorded and reflected accurately and fairly in the candidates' placement.

This is according to a release issued by the Ministry of Education yesterday.

It noted that Chief Examiners and Assistant Chief Examiners employed by CXC have checked an appropriate

sample of the NGSA examination scripts. These scripts, which were housed in containers specially sealed by CXC in a manner that would allow detection of any tampering, have been opened in the presence of the CXC Supervisor.

These officials have checked to ensure that all

Officials conducting the verification process questions on the scripts were marked, that the scores recorded inside match what is recorded on the outside of the booklet and that the tallying of the scores is correct.

The standardised scores were also quality checked by CXC to ensure that they match what has been given

by CXC to the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and that the consequential standardised scores reflect the way the candidates worked. Some of this quality checking was

previously done by the Testing Unit of the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) without the involvement of CXC, but for the first time in the history of the examination, it was conducted by CXC, the examining body which manages the examination inclusive of preparing the examination questions, supervising the examination and marking the scripts.

Additionally, the Council will now, for the first time, manage the entire review

process which will begin immediately upon publication of the results.

With the introduction of these new measures, CXC will now be managing the entire NGSA from beginning to end (inclusive of review).

The Ministry of Education, according to the release, aims with these new measures to conduct level appropriate exams that are fairly and transparently marked and bear the CXC mark of integrity for which the examining body is renowned across the world.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

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Education Ministry spends in excess of $24.5B to aid learning amid COVID-19 - Report

G

i v e n t h e restrictions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education (MoE) expended a large amount of its budget towards providing alternative methods to continue its function while traditional school was not in operation.

According to the Ministry of Finance's mid-year Report, even as government continues to intensify efforts towards the implementation of delivering quality education across all levels, a sum in excess $24.5 billion was expended during the first half of 2021.

The money represents 40.4 percent of the $60.7

billion allocated to the sector.

Approximately $980.5 million of the $24.5 billion was spent on worksheets and textbooks to assist the children who were being schooled from home during the closure of traditional school.

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the Report stated that the government continues to engender lifelong learning opportunities to elevate the sector to a world-class level.

As such, during the first half of the year, the Report stated that students with limited or no access to digital engagement were supported through the distribution of 556,511 worksheets across

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

all levels: 58,890 at nursery, 248,132 at primary, and 2 5 9 , 4 8 9 a t s e c o n d a r y.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, 1 6 5 , 9 5 8

textbooks were procured and distributed to approximately 13,450 Grade Six students at the primary level.

As a result, the Report stated, approximately $980.5 million was spent on worksheets and textbooks during the half year period.

Additionally, the Report noted that the use of blended modalities continued with the expansion of the Guyana Learning Channel Trust, reaching 13 additional villages – Moraikobai, Abary Creek, Kaikan, Paruima, Kamarang, Kumu, Aishalton, Awarewaunau, Maruranau, Shea, Annai, Karaudarnau, and Moco Moco.

The Learning Channel has a YouTube reach of 164,886 views and 293,609 persons utilise its FaceBook page engaging in posting

comments and watching videos.

In addition, 184 videos were produced and aired across all levels and grades in a more structured way.

Teachers' capacity to utilise Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to engage the students virtually was supported through the Profuturo initiative.Meanwhile, to modernise its teacher training system, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), while maintaining some level of face to face training, made significant strides in transforming to virtual instruction for the first half of 2021. According to (Contioned on page 58)

Sunday October 10, 2021

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Guyana, Brazil talk closer collaborations to further develop local agriculture sector

A

griculture M i n i s t e r, Z u l f i k a r Mustapha, yesterday met with the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Roraima, Brazil, Mr. Aluizio Nascimento da Silva.

This is according to a Department of Public Information report which noted that during the meeting, the two officials discussed collaborations between the two countries to further develop agriculture and trade.

The Secretary of State, who has been involved in developing agri-business in the state of Roraima for the

last 20 years, said there was an interest by a number of agriculture businesses to develop demonstration plots in the Savannahs close the Roraima. These plots, he said, would be used to plant corn, soya beans, and peas.

He also said through collaborations between the two states, cattle production in the Rupununi can be developed into a massive industry for Guyana which will, in turn, improve Guyana's export figures.

“We see the Rupununi as a great area for developing the cattle industry, which can then be exported to Roraima and then processed in one of the big abattoirs there. Once

The officials during the meeting. the farmers there are able to meet the demand, they would be able to supply the Roraima market. Our agriculture

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 1.2 percent of the state's GDP. It has since moved to 6.8 percent in two and a half years and I believe you can do the same. If we work together and continue to foster strong partnerships, we can increase our international export figures,” Mr. da Silva said.

Mr. da Silva noted that Guyana is also working to develop its corn and soya bean industry and once the infrastructure is developed, it will soon be able to satisfy the local market.

“While the production now is small, soon it will be enough to supply to the local market, but jointly, when the infrastructure is developed, it will be used by persons growing corn and soya bean here and eventually in Roraima. I also recommend looking into doing valueadded, which is what Brazil is doing now. The soya meal can be added to the feed and then, what is exported, is the animal proteins such as beef, chicken, and pork,” Mr. da Silva said.

Noting that Guyana has longstanding relations with Brazil, Minister Mustapha

said collaborations to develop the country's agriculture sector are welcomed.

“We look forward to working with Brazil to develop our agriculture sector. Brazil is a trade partner around the world and exports to a number of countries. Through collaborations with Brazil, Guyana would be able to develop several of our agriculture subsectors like the cattle industry, and also the non-traditional crops that we've started like corn and soya bean.

“We have a trial plot currently under cultivation by a group of mostly local investors from the private sector that brought seeds from Brazil. The government is looking to expand on that industry to be able to provide the proteins for the poultry industry from that area. The government has budgeted $500 million to develop the infrastructure in the area,” Minister Mustapha said.

Furthermore, the Minister said the government was moving ahead with the development of the deepwater harbour in Berbice and

that persons from Roraima would be able to utilise this facility to export their produce, rather than having to travel up to the coast of Brazil to do so.

Minister Mustapha also noted that because Guyana is once again playing the lead role in CARICOM for agriculture, production has to be expanded in order to reduce CARICOM's food import bill and advance the agri-food agenda.

“Our President is the lead spokesperson for agriculture in CARICOM. He has proposed to CARICOM how to advance the agri-food agenda, how to reduce imports into CARICOM from outside of the region, more specifically agricultural products. That means we have to embark of producing on a larger scale and Guyana is now poised to be one of the most important countries in CARICOM to move the agri-food system forward,” Minister Mustapha said.

The Secretary of State was accompanied by the President of NF Agriculture Inc. Mr. Yucatan Reis and Ms. Ilaine Heinz.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha (R), exchanges an investment document with Mr. Aluizio Nascimento da Silva.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

PAGE 15

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! I

n case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our entire nation.

SUNDAY It is not Kaieteur News making the statement, or taking the position.

'Foreign companies get preference in Guyana's oil sector, while Guyanese lose out'.

That was the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The GCCI is not Kaieteur News.

Thank you GCCI for confirming what we have been publishing for the longest while.

Dr. Ali, Dr. Jagdeo: are you listening? Do both of you understand? Will you leaders do something that benefits the true owners of this oil?

MONDAY In last Saturday's edition of this paper, there were three serious crimes: robbery and beating of driver, businessman robbed and beaten, and a sibling released on bail for beating to death of his brother.

That is only one day, and it may not capture every incident of what any reasonable citizen would consider serious crime.

Yet, the official statistics tell us that we are safer, and

we should feel so. Do you, fellow Guyanese, feel safe from random or planned banditry?

PPP/C Government leaders tell us how well they are doing with the oil sector; how honestly, they are dealing on our behalf. Do you, fellow citizens, feel secure in the confidence that leadership banditry is not at work with oil and gas?

We provide. Guyanese must decide.

TUESDAY Amaila Falls Hydro is back, and its aim is to break Guyana's back.

All the same old vultures are gathering. They come back to put their names in the hat for what promises to be a corruption feast, involving local cronies and criminal foreigners.

Wherever rich blood, bone and flesh are, the predators are sure to come calling. They are not of the four-legged species. They are human.

Guyanese: we are dartboards and the garbage dump: everybody is making a fool of us, from leaders to outsiders.

WEDNESDAY

Chartered Accountant and attorney at law, Chris Ram, noted that there is no independent oil regulator.

This means goodbye to transparency.

Now, we tell Guyanese why there is no independent regulator.

The PPP Government likes it so, wants it to be so.

When there is no independent oil regulator, President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo get to come up with all kinds of sleights of hand about transparency that lack credibility.

Quite frankly, what Guyana has been hearing about transparency is nothing but utter stupidity.

THURSDAY Guyanese read and understand for yourselves.

GY$50M is NOT chicken feed money.

Though it was for a seed paddy facility it is not bird seed money for a poor country like Guyana.

The present regime cannot blame the last one for this, since it is from 13 years ago.

B u t n o w, a n o t h e r GY$25M must be spent to get the seed facility going.

Which poor society can rise up with leaders like these? Lots of 'spending and borrowing' and 'talking and thieving'.

FRIDAY Guyanese better take note of that California oil spill.

After decades of experience in oil production in America, billions in technology development, and all manner of protections, oil spills are still happening and devastating the sea and landscapes. Look at California!

Guyana has little going for it: no trusted leaders, no

vibrant EPA, and no safetyfirst oil partner.

Most importantly, it has no insurance protection against catastrophic oil spills.

Guyanese: are you listening? Guyanese: are you taking note?

SATURDAY The oil and gas industry is becoming a fossil. So said the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

Guyana's leaders think that the Guterres doesn't know what he is talking about, may even be an alarmist.

We say: listen leaders and

learn. Know what is there to be known, and also what we in Guyana (especially our leaders) don't know.

Wisdom insists on the right balance with all resources and economic segments prioritised and developed side by side with oil.

The oil must be produced, but sensibly.

Agriculture and other natural resources must be right there with oil, not lagging behind.

Leaders must listen.

Guyanese must watch them and press them.

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Sunday October 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

PAGE 17

Victim outof ofcommunity community Victimmoves moves out after attacker released after attacker was releasedon on bail bail Fearful of being thrashed again with a cutlass, Nigel Reid, 52, said that he was forced to close up his house and move out from his community after his attacker was released on bail.

Reid said he was previously residing at St. John Street, New Amsterdam, Region Six but on September 15, 2021, he received a sound thrashing with a cutlass from a man who had attempted to rob him of his belongings sometime around 18:20hrs. The man lives in the same area and was charged at the New Amsterdam Court for the offence.

Kaieteur News was able to confirm with Region Six police that indeed Reid was assaulted on September 15, last. They said too that some suspects are currently before the court facing charges. Among them is the man that Reid is fearful of.

The magistrate presiding over the matter had granted him bail and, according to Reid, he decided to leave the community because of fear that the man could attack him again. Reid said that he had been away from his home for three weeks and would only show up in the area for the scheduled court dates.

Reid alleged that on the day he received the beating with a cutlass, he was standing on the roadside waiting for food he had bought for his wife.

He claimed that the man in the company of another had approached him and attempted to rob him of his cell phone but he resisted.

Unable to relieve him of his cell phone, Reid said that the man left and returned shortly after with a cutlass.

The defendant allegedly attacked him with the weapon and began to beat him about his body even cutting his face in the

process. Reid claimed that as he was being assaulted, he shouted for persons to call the police and somehow managed to escape and run into his yard.

The cops were alerted, according to Reid, but before they came, he alleged that the man left again but returned shortly after with what looked like a gun. The man allegedly threatened to kill him and eventually left.

Police had arrested the suspect but no illegal firearm was found in his possession and he was later charged with only assault.

A photo of Reid's back after being beaten with the cutlass.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

Sunday October 10, 2021

Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to extend our weekly review of some of our major stories in their entirety.

SUNDAY UNBELIEVABLE TAX GIVEAWAYS TO EXXONMOBIL REDUCES GUYANA’S TAKE FROM 12.5 TO 9 PERCENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIALEXPERT, TOM SANZILLO The unbelievably exorbitant tax giveaways in the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) have more detrimental effects on Guyana’s actual take than what meets the eye. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and even the Inter-American Development Bank have said for years that Guyana petroleum deal with ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, leaves the country with a 14.5 percent profit oil take.

But a recent analysis of the deal and the impact of its tax breaks to the oil companies reveal this to be an illusion as the country’s actual take is 9 percent.

This shocking disclosure was made by the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), and its Director of Financial Analysis, Tom Sanzillo in its latest report titled: Guyana’s Tax Giveaway: Country Pays Exxon, Hess and CNOOC’s Annual Income Taxes.

In that report, Sanzillo examined the impact of the exorbitant tax concessions and waivers to ExxonMobil and its partners.

According to the Stabroek Block PSA, the Government of Guyana agreed to exempt ExxonMobil and its partners, from the payment of several taxes such as Capital Gains Tax that other local companies are made to pay. And in the instances where the government has agreed to accept the payment of taxes, it has chosen to pay same on behalf of the oil companies.

In simple terms, the PSA outlines that income gained by the contractor and the other parties is taxable but would be handled by the Minister of Natural Resources.

And that tax would be paid over to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) from Guyana’s share of the oil money, after which, the oil

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Kaieteur News

companies would receive a receipt stating that the said tax was settled. This would be presented by the oil companies to the American tax authorities to prevent being taxed on their profits which are shipped from Guyana to their head offices.

The one thing Sanzillo has done that financial institutions such as the World Bank, the IMF and the IDB have not done, is consider Guyana’s actual take of profit oil in light of the tax giveaways.

Expounding further on the grave impact of the concessions, Sanzillo said one ought to understand how the terms of the Stabroek Block PSA allows for the calculation of profit oil between Guyana and the Exxon Mobil led consortium.

He explained that for every barrel of oil sold, 75% of the revenue earned has to go towards covering expenses. The remaining 25% is what is deemed profit oil and is split equally between the State and the oil companies, leaving each party with 12.5% of gross revenue.

The IMF had said in previous analytical reports, that when one adds the meager two percent royalties, the country’s take moves up to 14.5 percent. But what Sanzillo exposed is this take does not consider the impact of the exorbitant tax concessions on that 14. 5 percent take. After the Minister of Natural Resources pays the taxes owed by the contractor out of its share of the profits, Sanzillo said Guyana’s take is reduced to 9 percent.

The financial expert noted that it can even be lower when one considers the other gaping loopholes for revenue leakage in the oil agreement.

GUYANAUSED EXXONMOBIL’S CHOICE INSTEAD OF INDEPENDENT FIRMS TO REVIEW LIZA PROJECT - INDUSTRY SOURCE REVEALS If Guyana had the right experts in its corner, is it possible that it could have known even before oil production commenced in 2019 that ExxonMobil would have had cause to burn a significant volume of gas?

According to reputable energy experts who have worked closely with the former and current governments, the answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” In fact, one of the industry consultants revealed in an interview with Kaieteur News that Guyana’s use of a UK company that was recommended by ExxonMobil is what has the country in the flaring predicament it is now trapped in. The company in question is Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants. This company, Kaieteur News understands, was selected in 2019 to review ExxonMobil’s Field Development Plan for the Liza Phase One Project. It was selected in spite of the fact that it was a well-known client of ExxonMobil, and there being more than a dozen independent options to choose from.

In fact, Kaieteur News was reliably informed by the consultant with a deep knowledge of the matter that Bayphase was actually recommended to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) by ExxonMobil.

That recommendation was then passed on to former Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman.

This newspaper understands that Trotman was fully aware that Bayphase was ExxonMobil’s

client, and so he solicited a list of alternative companies.

Despite having several independent, nonExxonMobil clients to choose from, Bayphase was still given the job to review the FDP in the interest of the State.

Following the award, several enquiries were made and the reliable source learned that Bayphase never reviewed Guyana’s geological data independently during the FDP process. Instead, Bayphase relied on ExxonMobil’s interpretation of same. The oil consultant was keen to point out that Guyana’s blunder during that time is what has it in the position it is in today.

The consultant said, “If Guyana had the right people in its corner, it would have known since before oil started pumping, that ExxonMobil’s claim that it could reinject 100 percent of its gas was pure hogwash. When you are going to review any company’s FDP you have to understand your reservoir, how it is going to produce, where you are going to drill the wells, how much gas you will get and what you will do with it.”

The expert continued, “All of that is taken into account when you examine an FDP. But you cannot do that in the interest of the State by analyzing a company’s understanding of the data.

The country needs experienced reservoir engineers in its corner to do this independently, then to check it against the interpretation provided by the company.”

The government advisor added, “When Bayphase was hired they never even looked at the seismic data Guyana has. They looked at ExxonMobil’s data…”

The industry expert said too, that what remains frightening is the fact that Guyana at this point, remains without the experts or the technological resources needed to do independent analysis.

“So if ExxonMobil has been telling you a lot of BS on flaring since the inception, how do you know the same is not being done to you on the gas to shore project especially when you have to rely on their word on how much gas you have and what is possible with it?”

EFFECTS OF FLARING Extensive research conducted by Kaieteur News over the years shows that gas flaring contributes to climate change, which has serious implications for the human security and wellbeing globally. In fact, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University

of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, outlined in one of its studies, that gas flaring is actually a major source of greenhouse gases, which accelerates global warming.

It was noted that flaring releases Carbon Dioxide and Methane, the two major greenhouse gases. Of these two, Methane is actually more harmful than Carbon Dioxide.

It is also more prevalent in flares that burn at lower efficiency.

Of the greenhouse gases researched so far, Kaieteur News understands that the global warming potential of a kilogramme of Methane is estimated to be 21 times that of a kilogramme of Carbon Dioxide when the effects are considered.

The University of Ibadan study also noted, that flaring contributes to local and regional environmental problems, such as acid rain with attendant impact on agriculture, forests and other physical infrastructure. The acid rain results in environmental degradation, which includes soil and water contamination and roof erosion.

Furthermore, there have been over 250 identified toxins released from flaring including carcinogens such as benzopyrene, benzene, carbon disulphide (CS2), carbonyl sulphide (COS) and toluene; metals such as mercury, arsenic and chromium; sour gas with Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); Nitrogen oxides (NOx); Carbon dioxide (CO2); and methane (CH4) which contributes to the greenhouse gases.

MONDAY PRISONER CONFESSES TO STARTING BRICKDAM POLICE STATION FIRE - SAYS HE WAS FRUSTRATED OF BEING IN THE LOCKUPS A prisoner has reportedly confessed to police that he was the one who set fire to Brickdam Police Station on Saturday by using a cigarette lighter, a piece of sponge he tore off from his mattress and a wire.

This is according to a statement released Sunday by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Corporate Communications Unit (CCU).

The prisoner, identified by police as Clarence Greene, of Lot 2292, Princes Street, Lodge, was the time being held in the Brickdam Police lockups as a suspect in an armed robbery.

During his confession, he reportedly told investigators that he had decided to set the

station on fire because he was frustrated at being detained in the lockups for hours.

Ranks had reportedly arrested him at least three hours before the blaze began.

It was reported that the fire which has left the central police station completely destroyed had begun around 11:06hrs and had reportedly erupted in the upper flat of an eastern building located in close proximity to the lockups.

At the scene, Kaieteur News was told that it is suspected that the prisoners who were being held there at the time might have been the ones who started the fire.

GPF stated that after it was brought under control, detectives decided to question those prisoners.

Two of them, identified as Renhold Charles and Akeem Green, reportedly buckled while being interrogated and told detective that it was Clarence Greene who had started the fire. They told the cops that after the fire erupted they were evacuated by officers and taken the Sparendaam Police Station lockups where they were placed in a cell with Greene.

They went on to allege that it was there that Greene told them that he had taken a piece of sponge, wrapped it up on a piece of wire before lighting it up with the lighter before pushing it through the ventilation grill in his cell and over to the office building close by. The sponge reportedly fell in and the fire erupted into the blaze that left the Brickdam Police Station in rubble. With this information in hand, the cops then decided to confront Greene and managed to get a video confession from him.

He admitted to committing the act exactly the way Charles and Green had related it to the detectives. However, in his confession, he added that he did not act alone and that he was helped by one of the prisoners who identified him. He alleged that it was that prisoner who had given him the wire, sponge and lighter, which he used to set the building on fire. As GPF continues to clean up the debris left behind and commence reconstruction, the Brickdam Police Station’s operation has been temporarily relocated to St. Stanislaus College next door.

GOVT. TO USE NORWAY FOREST FUNDS FOR SOLAR FARMS The Government intends to build solar farms with the money it got from Norway in exchange for keeping its forests intact. The funds (Continued on page 26)

PAGE 26

From page 25 stand at about US$84 million.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had said earlier this year that the Government wrote to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) requesting access to the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF). The Bank is managing it.

The farms are expected to be built under the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Program.

Already, Government has advertised for expressions of interest to provide consulting services to conduct topographic surveys, flood risk assessments, and geotechnical investigations for the planned solar photovoltaic farm project sites.

It is stated in the notice that “The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has earned financing from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) under the Guyana – Norway partnership and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards consulting services under the fiduciary safeguards, and operational policies and procedures of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB).”

The project is being handled by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). The agency is looking to hire a firm that is experienced in civil engineering site investigations for groundmounted utility scale solar farms.

It said, “The objective of the assignment is for the firm to conduct a site (land) feature and topographic survey, flood risk assessment and geotechnical engineering investigation for each of the eight (8) project sites for the 33MWp [megawatt peak]...”

GPL says it wants to have all relevant information on the ground conditions of each project site through the completion of the required

Kaieteur News

topographic surveys, flood risk reports and geotechnical investigations.

There are a total of eight project sites earmarked for the farms - two in Region Two (Essequibo Coast), three in Region Ten (Linden), one in Region Five (West Coast Berbice), and two in Region Six (East Coast Berbice).

“This will minimize risk and liability while maximizing the economic and safe design of the projects to increase the likelihood of the projects being completed on time and within budget,” it said.

The Government has an ambitious energy mix plan.

Solar is one part of it.

Guyana and India signed an agreement on Wednesday at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, for a line of credit to Guyana totalling US$7.2 million, under the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh said it will go toward a project to fund solar power initiatives for 30,000 homes in hinterland areas.

The Government also is advertising for bidders to install transmission lines to accommodate solar farms at Bartica and Lethem. The money for that project is coming from an IDB loan under the Energy Matrix Diversification and Institutional Strengthening of the Department of Energy Project.

The rest of the energy mix is intended to consist of natural gas, hydropower, and some of the more heavily polluting diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO).

TUESDAY 50M SEED PADDY FACILITYUNUSED FOR 13 YEARS NOW NEEDS $25M TO BECOME OPERABLE During the time of former Minister of Agriculture,

Robert Persaud, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) had used $50M from the national purse to construct a seed paddy facility in Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, Region Six. Following its successful construction, the facility was commissioned in 2008. It was outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment to double rice production by 2025.

Thirteen years later however, the PPP’s new Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, discovered that the facility never achieved its purpose as it was never used. The Minister made this startling find during a visit to the facility back in April. During the visit, Minister Mustapha expressed disappointment in the fact that the millions of dollars were invested to ensure the facility was outfitted with modern equipment yet it was left to languish. Since that visit, Mustapha has committed $25M towards getting the structure upgraded and operable.

While speaking with members of the media during a tour of the facility on Saturday, Minister Mustapha said that within another two months, the facility should be in operation. “We’ll have more capacity in the GRDB to produce seeds. And now we are seeing a lot of interest being expressed by Suriname for the supply of seed paddy.

During the recent visit by Suriname President, Chan Santokhi and his high level delegation, “a request was made for us to provide almost 130,000 tonnes of seed paddy,” expressed the Minister.

He added, “At the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) Scheme, too, we’ve brought a second seed facility into operation there so that we can improve the capacity...”

In light of the foregoing efforts, Minister Mustapha is of the firm conviction that Guyana’s seed paddy production will improve and will allow the country to meet the recent requests by its CARICOM sister, Suriname.

Minister Mustapha said too that it is important for the facility to become operable since there is now a high demand for quality seed paddy from farmers.

OILAND GAS INDUSTRY BECOMINGA FOSSIL IT’S TIME TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE GREEN ECONOMY - UN SECRETARYGENERAL WARNS AT TRADE CONFERENCE United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, issued a stern warning Monday morning that the oil and gas industry is destined to become a fossil hence the need for nations to act as quickly as possible to build and support a sustainable green economy.

The official made these remarks at the opening of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 15) meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados.

UNCTAD-15 is expected to continue until Thursday.

During his remarks, the UN Secretary General thanked Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, and all Barbadians for their warm welcome and particularly, PM Mottley for providing insight into the enormous effort her government is making to ensure Barbados is able to defeat COVID-19, climate change, and inequality in the world.

The UN official said, “Small island developing states like Barbados are looking to the future with worry and increasingly, to the global community with a cynical eye. (This is) for good reason. They hear the words,

Sunday October 10, 2021

but do not see the actions behind them. We often act as if we have another planet waiting for us. We don’t.”

The Secretary General added, “A green and resilient recovery means committing to net-zero emissions by midcentury. It means more ambitious 2030 climate and biodiversity plans and the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26) in Glasgow must keep the 1.5 degree goal of the Paris Agreement alive.”

Guterres also noted that the building of a green economy worldwide will require no new coal plants, the phasing-out subsidies for fossil fuels and polluting industries, and putting a price on carbon and channeling that back to schools, hospitals, social protections, and job-creation.

It will also require supporting developing countries as they make the shift to green economies said Guterres. He stressed that this can only be done by developed countries implementing the promise to provide at least US$100 billion every year for action on climate change.

For countries like Barbados on the frontlines of the climate crisis, Guterres said adapting and building resilience is not a luxury — it is an urgent priority.

“Right now, adaptation remains the neglected half of the climate equation, accounting for only 25 percent of climate finance in support of developing countries,” expressed Guterres.

He was also keen to note that small island developing states only receive a fraction of the funding that goes to developing countries for adaptation — less than two per cent in 2019. He further noted that small island developing countries, the most impacted by climate change, received less than

two percent in 2019 of the support to the developing countries. With this in mind, Guterres reiterated his call for donors and multilateral development banks to allocate at least 50 percent of their climate support towards adaptation and resilience.

In closing, Guterres said it is time for all countries to start making better choices and end the practice of waiting to see who will make the first move. He said all countries, developed and developing, have a responsibility to act.

Guterres said, “The fossil fuel economy is itself becoming a fossil; one that has left its imprint on our earth for too long. It’s time to shift our support to building a sustainable green economy.”

WEDNESDAY MORE T&T COMPANIES CONTINUE TO FLOOD GUYANA’S OILAND GAS SECTOR - AS COUNTRY REMAINS WITHOUT LOCAL CONTENT POLICY, LEGISLATION With ExxonMobil intent on the rapid development of the Stabroek Block oil resources, more Trinidadian companies with years of experience in the industry and access to capital, continue to flood these shores to compete with Guyanese firms for the explosion of opportunities to come.

In fact, several Trinidadian companies recently applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for permission to set up a local base. These companies include Weatherford, United Independent Petroleum Marketing Company Limited, Vista Trading and Logistics, and Non Destructive Testers Limited (NDTL).

In the case of (Continued on page 27)

Sunday October 10, 2021

From page 26 Weatherford, it is regarded in Trinidad as one of the leading wellbore and production solutions company and hopes to provide Guyana with a range of servicing and maintenance work for the oil sector. Weatherford in its project summary to the Environmental Protection Agency noted that it intends to establish a state-of-the-art facility at Tract G4-G5, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. The facility would be used to conduct servicing and maintenance work, equipment testing, pressure testing and the general maintenance (washing, painting) of the tools and equipment until they are transported offshore. In addition, the facility will store tools and equipment.

The EPA in a recently published notice said it has screened Weatherford’s application and determined that it will not be harmful to the environment, as such, an Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) is not necessary. The review process for approval is still ongoing.

With the rapid development of the oil sector, there is sure to be an increase in vehicular traffic and an even greater need for petroleum related products.

Acutely aware of this is United Independent Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (Unipet), hence the Trinidadian company is poised to bring a gas station and bulk fuel storage facility here. Unipet said the investment totals US$4.9M and would create approximately 60 jobs for locals. Unipet in its project summary submitted to the EPA notes that the multipurpose fuel facility would be constructed at Pant ‘P’, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. The property will house a bulk fuel storage facility with gantry loading, office buildings and other ancillary infrastructure. It will also have a gas station and convenience store. The overall life of the project is 30 years with the first two years for construction and commissioning.

This news agency understands that the United Independent Petroleum Marketing Company Limited is a duly registered external company in Guyana with head office in Trinidad and Tobago. Its core business is in the downstream liquid petroleum industry, and it has been providing complementary energy services and convenience services since 1997.

The EPA has since disclosed that this project is

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also exempt from the requirement of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as it has determined that it will not significantly affect the environment. The regulator was keen to note that this exemption does not mean that the project has been approved.

With respect to Vista Trading and Logistics (Guyana) Inc., this Trinidadian firm has applied to the EPA for approval to construct a warehouse to bag and distribute oil-well cement and other gas-related equipment at a proposed site at Le Ressouvenir on the East Coast Demerara.

In the case of Non Destructive Testers Limited (NDTL), this Trinidadian company which was established in 1990 to provide a range of inspection, testing and heat treatment services to T&T’s oil industry, is making moves to establish a strong presence here. The company which registered its operations in Guyana in June 2018, has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval to construct a massive storage facility which spans 112,774 sq. ft. at Lots 1-2 Coverden, East Bank Demerara.

According to the project documents seen by Kaieteur News, the property which will house its offices and be its base of operation here is located at least 100ft away from the roadway and has no immediate neighbours or residencies. NDTL also intends to apply for approval for this property to operate and store Industrial x-ray and Gamma Ray equipment, chemicals, consumables, additional radiographic equipment, magnetic particle and liquid dye penetrant equipment.

Kaieteur News understands that NDTL intends to raise 100 percent of its own capital for the project. In the first year, it anticipates sales to be about US$200M with an approximately five to 10 percent growth rate in the second and third year of business.

As Trinidadian companies continue to position themselves for procurement opportunities in Guyana’s oil sector as well as for the benefits of the spill off effects, local companies have lamented the need for a local content policy and accompanying legislation.

Just recently, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) urged the government to have this state of affairs addressed as significant opportunities continue to escape the grasp

of local companies. The Chamber is of the view that the policy and law are crucial towards ensuring locals are given first preference in the provision of goods and services.

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat has since informed the media that local content remains a matter of priority for the government while adding that he is hopeful the draft legislation would be tabled by year-end.

OPPORTUNITIES IN OIL SECTOR SLIPPING AWAY; INDUSTRY NEEDS ACTION SOON-GCCI EXECUTIVEMEMBER Former Head of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) as well as the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer is of the firm conviction that opportunities in the oil sector will continue to slip by local businesses unless urgent action is taken to protect their interest.

In a recent posting on his LinkedIn Page, the businessman said he has noticed and received a number of complaints regarding local content in Guyana’s budding oil industry, particularly in the area of transportation. In light of this, he posited that action must be taken while the government continues efforts to complete its Local Content Policy and accompanying legislation.

The former GCCI and PSC Head said, “The Government of Guyana did indeed carry out an assessment of the Local Content Policy in existence, and we are awaiting the promised revamping of the policy. Further, we are also awaiting the promised Local Content Law. In discussions, I understand its being drafted, but the industry needs action soon as (ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block) projects and procurement for those

projects are ongoing.”

The businessman continued, ‘There is a misconception by the person on the street on when procurement is done for an oil and gas project. For instance, most procurement for Payara (ExxonMobil’s third project) has been completed even though the (oil vessel for the project, which is named Prosperity) has not sailed to our waters as yet.”

Further, Deygoo-Boyer noted that much of the procurement plan for Yellowtail, ExxonMobil’s fourth project in the Stabroek Block, has been completed despite it not receiving government’s approval as yet. Once this occurs however, Deygoo-Boyer asserted that the procurement plan would be put into action.

He further noted that if one were to assume that ExxonMobil does not bring on more than the 10 oil ships it plans to have this decade, then Guyanese only have for the taking, the cream of opportunities associated with six more ships.

“Unless action is taken swiftly, we can look at that number whittling down to five Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSOs) if another, after Yellowtail is approved without the promised upgrades of the policy and the promised law,” the businessman warned.

THURSDAY GRA NETS $129B -TAX COLLECTION REPRESENTS 95% OFTOTALREVENUE MID-YEAR REPORT The Ministry of Finance revealed, in its latest MidYear Report, that the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) tax collection grew by $22.2 billion to $129 billion. It said this represents 95.4 percent of total revenue collections by the Government for the first half of 2021.

In providing a breakdown

of the taxes collected, the Finance Ministry said internal revenue collection totalled $66.6 billion, an increase of 19.1 percent over the same period for 2020. The Finance Ministry said this was mainly due to a $5.1 billion increase in Corporation Tax collection from private companies in the mining and quarrying, retail trade, and telecommunications sectors.

In addition, the Ministry said Personal Income Taxes collection increased by $2.9 billion or 16.4 percent, primarily due to higher payment from companies within the oil and gas sector.

Furthermore, in the first half of the year, it was noted that net Property Taxes grew by $1.6 billion or 56.5 percent to $4.5 billion, reflecting higher payments of $1.3 billion by private companies, including those within the manufacture of beverages and telecommunications industries. Further, the Finance Ministry said Withholding Tax collection rose by $1.3 billion, or 8.6 percent above the $15.1 billion collected during the same period in 2020, mainly due to higher remittances from the mining sector.

As for collection of Customs and Trade Tax, this grew by $2.7 billion, to $12.3 billion, when compared with the same period in 2020. The Ministry said Import duties which represented 87.5 percent of total customs and trade collections increased by $2.4 billion above the corresponding period in 2020, consistent with the higher import levels reflected in the Balance of Payments.

In the area of ValueAdded Tax (VAT) and Excise Tax collection, it was noted that this grew by $8.9 billion, or 21.5 percent when compared with the level at the end of June 2020. Within this, the Finance Ministry said VAT increased by $1.2 billion to $27.4 billion, when compared with the same period in 2020. Kaieteur News

understands that this was primarily due to a $1.8 billion increase in VAT collection from imported goods and services, outweighing the $0.6 billion contraction in VAT collection from domestic supplies.

As for non-tax revenue collection, the Ministry said this increased by $1.4 billion to $6.1 billion mainly due to higher Bank of Guyana profits.

GOVT. EXPENDS OVER $25B FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE - SAYS $2B MORE MAYBE NEEDED From 2020 to mid-2021, the PPP/C Government has expended $25.7B on its COVID-19 response programme. In order to achieve herd immunity among the adult population, it may very well need another $2.1B before the year is over. This was noted in the latest MidYear Report of the Ministry of Finance.

In the document that was released Wednesday, the Ministry shared that in 2020, the government expended $16.7 billion on COVID-19 response, of which $7.1 billion related to the health sector, representing 13.9 percent of the total health sector spending. The Finance Ministry said this included outfitting the annex to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in Liliendaal, to adequately receive and treat moderate to severe COVID-19 cases.

Further, the Ministry said $7 billion was expended on the COVID-19 Cash Grant Programme which saw the commencement of distribution of $25,000 to every household across the country as a form of livelihood support. It was noted too, that additional sums were expended to procure sanitising agents, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Ventilators, and other necessary equipment and (Continued on page 28)

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From page 27 supplies. Government, the Ministry said, also received external in-kind support from bilateral partners including China, India, and Colombia in the form of PPEs, Ventilators, and vaccines, among others.

With respect to 2021 spending, Kaieteur News understands that the government rolled out an aggressive vaccination campaign given the gradual improvements in the global vaccine supply chain. Towards this end, over $2 billion was expended for the first half of 2021 through the National Budget, on the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Barring further supply-chain challenges, the Finance Ministry said an additional $2.1 billion could become required to facilitate achieving high levels of immunity within the adult population. The Ministry was keen to note that this vaccination programme alone is anticipated to place an additional demand on the Treasury by approximately 0.3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), even though government received, through the COVAX facility, 62,400 vaccines to support national vaccination efforts, as at the half year. It is anticipated that the balance of the Guyana COVAX allocation of 38,400 will be received in the second half.

Apart from its disclosure on expenditure for COVID-19, it was noted by the Ministry that the advent of the pandemic continues to place a strain on public health systems. To address the challenge of limited human resources, the Finance Ministry said health authorities endeavoured to reassign healthcare workers to support an aggressive response to COVID-19 in order to prevent greater loss of life, though this has created challenges in delivering regular healthcare services which were further compounded by the restrictions on movement imposed by the COVID-19 Emergency Measures. It was noted as well, that GPHC has also afforded the COVID frontline healthcare workers a risk allowance, while eligible workers continue to receive their on-call allowance. To supplement the human resource needs, the Ministry said government has pursued the temporary employment of retired healthcare workers. In response to the challenge of inadequate drugs and medical supplies, the ministry said Government has also undertaken to procure sufficient quantities of same to ensure stock availability into 2022, at minimum.

FRIDAY RESIDENTS BASH EPA’S DECISION TO EXEMPT TRINI COMPANY’S CEMENT FACILITY FROM EIA- FEAR PROJECT POSES SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS TO COMMUNITIES - EXPOSE MISLEADING INFORMATION IN PROJECT DOCUMENT The intention of Trinidadian firm, Vista Trading and Logistics, to establish a storage and distribution

facility for oil well cement at Tract A2 Felicity and Le Ressouvenir is not being well received by residents in these areas of the East Coast of Demerara.

Specifically, residents of Felicity, Happy Acres, Le Ressouvenir and Atlantic Gardens are of the firm belief that the project poses serious health risks, given the hazardous chemical composition of oil well cement. They have since objected to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to exempt the project from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Over 20 residents registered their concerns about the project during a public hearing that was held virtually and in-person Thursday by the EPA’s Environmental Assessment Board (EAB).

Before appeals into the project were heard, the EAB allowed the developer and shareholder, Vinush Dindial, to make a presentation on the project. He noted that Vista’s parent company, which is based in Trinidad and Tobago, has been managing cement storage and deliveries for contractors serving Guyana’s oil industry. He said this was being done for the last five years. He said however, “Our objective and reason for starting our company in Guyana was due to the Directors of the company standing firm in their decision that our operation and staff should be based in Guyana to ensure that Guyanese staff and the economy could directly benefit from our operation rather than it being done from our Trinidadbased company.”

The Vista official further noted that the company identified the Le Ressouvenir location, since it is close to the shore base facilities, which would, therefore, reduce its environmental impact. The developer further noted that the equipment that would be used in the storage and distribution facility are modern and from the USA. He was keen to note as well that the

operation at Le Ressouvenir would “include receiving, storing, and delivering large bags of cement to the customer’s location in Guyana where they can then process the cement at their sites.”

Following Dindial’s presentation, the EPA was required to provide reasons that underpinned its decision to exempt the project from an EIA. The EPA’s Representative on this matter was Odessa Duncan, who was quick to note that the application by the developer for environmental authorization was received on October 19, 2020. Duncan said it is the EPA’s understanding that the project would entail the distribution of oil well cement and the transfer of same to silos, then to bulk tanker wagons and trailers for transport to clients. The EPA official said all activities would be conducted in an enclosed warehouse, which would be constructed at the project location. Duncan stressed that the approval process for the project is not completed, while adding that it is ongoing and would entail consultation with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and other stakeholders before being approved.

Duncan said prior to the EPA’s approval, an Environmental Assessment and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) must be submitted by the developer. Further to this protective measure, Duncan outlined that an EIA was not required since the potential impacts as identified by the developer in the project documents are not significant given that they are reversible, localized, and of low magnitude. She also said that the project documents detailed mitigation measures that the project will implement to alleviate identified impacts.

Since the EPA’s public hearing only allowed input from persons who formally submitted objections, Siand Dhurjon, Attorney-at-Law for Appellants, Shahabudeen Ahmad and Singer Guyana Inc, was first to speak.

During his remarks, Dhurjon

expressed dissatisfaction with the EPA’s decision being made solely on the project proposal prepared by the developer, while adding that the industry regulator should have had an independent assessment and documents for consideration.

Dhurjon further stated that residents remain unaware of the screening tool used by the EPA to assess the project, despite several requests for same.

Turning his attention to the project summary, Dhurjon noted that the developer and its affiliates have been dishonest, as they claimed Vista is a subsidiary of Toolsie Persaud Limited, a reputable Guyanese firm.This turned out not to be so.

While residents remain resolute in their belief that Vista is desirous of building a specialized cement batching facility despite claims to the contrary, Dhurjon said one fact remains irrefutable—the project will involve dangerous substances, which can have damaging effects that are detrimental to health. In light of the health risks, the lawyer said his clients are of the firm conviction that the project should not be allowed in Felicity and Le Ressouvenir.

Another Appellant who had 20 minutes to present, concurred with the viewpoints, and even raised several questions that the EPA ought to have considered during its review.

To prove his case that a thorough assessment was not done, he challenged the EPA to answer the following questions, among others: Was there any consultation with residents before exempting the project from an EIA? What is the volume of cement that would be stored in the facility? What is the capacity of the ships bringing the materials into Georgetown? How many trucks would be utilized to transport the cement between Georgetown and other locations? If staff members have to wear full eyewear, respirators and suits, then

why does this not create sufficient concern to consult with residents before waving the EIA requirement?

Why is it that the project summary was amended after the waiver of the EIA? Why was a separate period of 30 days for objections not held for objections to the amended document? Would there be any water storage tanks, fuel storage tanks and would the facility be running on GPL energy supply or on generators?

While most of the foregoing questions could not be answered by the EPA representative, the Appellant was keen to note that he does not agree with the facility being established in his neighbourhood, since it would be storing hazardous cement particulate that can pollute the airspace, and lead to cancer and ultimately death.

The EPA was keen to note that while it was not in a position to speak on the number of trucks or ships or quantity of cement to be stored at the proposed site, among other issues, the review process for project approval was not completed. It also noted that, while there was no consultation with residents, due to the concerns raised, this would now be considered.

Following the feedback received during the two hour long hearing, Dhurjon said he has been instructed by his clients to note that legal action would be taken if enough is not done to protect the interest of concerned citizens.

SATURDAY PERMANENT SECRETARY CAUGHT RED-HANDED COLLECTING BRIBE SENT ON LEAVE PENDING AN INVESTIGATION Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was on Thursday, caught in a sting operation collecting a bribe from a (Continued on page 29)

Sunday October 10, 2021

From page 28 contractor. Sharon Hicks, 42, of 811 Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was arrested at her Quamina and Thomas Streets, South Cummingsburg Office, on Thursday during the police operation.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed with this media house that the PS was arrested on Thursday, and also stated that she was questioned and later released on a substantial bail. The embattled PS was told to return to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Friday morning as the investigation into the matter continues.

Kaieteur News understands that the sting operation was setup after a businessman who usually provides security services to the Ministry reported to the police that the PS was demanding monies from him before she signed off on his invoices.

Hicks and the businessman’s father had a deal in which she would help him secure a contract with the Ministry and in return, he pays her $200,000 a month.

After the businessman’s father died, he took over his father’s business and that is when Hicks approached him to strike the same deal with him, to which he first agreed.

However, after reportedly paying Hicks for three months, he became tired and reported the matter to the police.

As such, the sting operation was setup and marked notes with serial numbers were handed over to the PS by the contractor while in her office. After Hicks collected the money, a plainclothes police walked into her office, identified himself and cautioned her.

She was then told of the allegation and arrested.

Kaieteur News made

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contact with the Ministry for a comment but none was offered at the time. Late last night however, the Ministry released a statement to the effect that Hicks has been sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of a police investigation.

PM FILES SEVERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST DIGICEL GUYANAAND CEO FOR UNAUTHORISED SPECTRUM USE Come October 22, several criminal charges will be read to Digicel Guyana and its Chief Executive Officer, Gregory Dean for the unauthorised use of spectrum and the failure to comply with notices to cease such acts. Filing the said charges was Prime Minister with responsibility for the Telecommunications Sector, Mark Phillips.

In court documents seen

by Kaieteur News, it was noted that Dean, between September 25, 2021 and October 1, 2021, knowingly authorised, permitted or acquiesced in the company’s failure to comply with directions issued under the Telecommunications Act and Regulations to cease unauthorised usage within 24 hours of the said notice.

The court documents further state that between December 1, 2020 and October 4, 2021, Digicel Guyana made use of Spectrum in the 1800MHz band without having proper authorisation.

During the period November 11, 2020 and October 1, 2021 the telecommunications giant made use of Spectrum in the 700MHz band without the requisite permit.

The particulars of the case also note that U-Mobile [Cellular) Inc., a body corporate, also operating as Digicel Guyana between

September 25, 2021 and October 1, 2021 in the Georgetown Magisterial District, being served with a Notice from the Telecommunication Agency, dated September 23, 2021, containing a direction to cease within twenty-four hours of the said Notice, the unauthorised usage of Spectrum in the 700MHz band, failed to comply with that direction within the specified twenty-four hour period.

The defendant between June 5, 2021 and October 1, being served with a Notice from the Telecommunication Agency, dated May 28 2021, containing a direction to cease within seven days of the said Notice, the unauthorised usage of Spectrum in the 700MHz band, also failed to comply with that direction within the specified seven-day period.

The company also failed to comply with a similar notice to cease the unauthorised use of the Spectrum in the 1800MHz band. Late last month, Kaieteur News was the first to report that UMobile Inc. which trades as Digicel, has recently come under scrutiny for occupying additional spectrum without the requisite authorisations, even before the Government could review the new frequency band.

Digicel has also approached the courts seeking to halt the Government’s spectrum issue and if successful, could delay the deployment of services by competing carriers, which would consequently impact the access of the public to these services. In its defense, Digicel claims to have a legitimate expectation to the unauthorised use of spectrum. Kaieteur News had reported however that this approach appears to be thwarting the process and the benefits of liberalisation to consumers.

GTT has indicated that it will be deploying a 4.5 G Network and has already been legally granted spectrum to begin this process.

However, GTT has already written to the Telecommunications Agency, stating that it will expeditiously transition to the assigned spectrum, but may be prevented from doing so because of unauthorised use in one of its spectrum bands.

It therefore asked the Telecommunications Agency and the Ministry, to take the necessary steps at enforcing the law to prevent any such unlawful use. E-Networks has also written to the Agency about interference in its licensed band, which is causing delays in its countrywide expansion.

This unauthorised use of spectrum is not the first time Digicel has been accused of bypassing the legal process. In March 2017, GTT alleged that Digicel was facilitating an “illegal, unlicensed trans-border link between Guyana and Suriname,” an operation which Digicel has acknowledged on several occasions, and which amounted to “remarkable arrogance and disregard for the rule of law in Guyana” according to GTT. In 2017, GTT claimed that Digicel has never provided any specific information in relation to this illegal bypass activity, which it believed deprived the national coffers of billions of dollars in tax payments.

To date, Digicel has not made public whether it made

any payment of the tax assessments alleged by GTT. Similar to the present case, GTT expressed its frustration that Digicel avoided any responsibility for its illegal activities but instead, “[made] excuses or [launched] new and unfounded claims that are meant to distract the public and the media.”

Moreover, the operation of the bypass also entailed the use of valuable spectrum

by Digicel, which GTT had claimed was “simply taken as

its own, without payment.”

The company believed that Guyanese had “a right to know whether this spectrum has, in fact, been stolen by Digicel.” Further revelations have also indicated that Digicel has not paid its licence fees for at least five years, an amount estimated to surpass GY$1 billion dollars. The Telecommunications Agency has recently billed Digicel for these outstanding fees, requesting that they be paid within thirty (30) days.

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COVID-19: What's next for us after the delta surge is over

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center

W

e are still in the middle of the delta wave in Guyana which seems to have hit its peak already.

The current seven-day average of 160 cases daily, is an encouraging sign given that approximately three weeks ago, the seven-day

average was hovering around 250 cases daily. Once this downward trend continues, the worst of the delta surge should be over as we enter into the month of November, 2021.

This will be welcomed as it has been a difficult period for us all over the past two months. Today, I wish to give my thoughts on what may be ahead for us after the delta wave is over.

Prepare for the

next variant?

Delta has been the most infectious and deadly form of this virus thus far.

Naturally occurring viruses tend to weaken with time and become less infectious. Once this is a naturally occurring virus, it is expected to weaken and become less of a threat to us in the near future. There may be newer variants of concern in the future but chances of them being more a threat than

the delta variant is less likely.

However, we still need to prevent these strains from forming as they can become vaccine resistant and still cause deaths albeit at lower proportions.

The mental health challenges Many experts have predicted that the mental health challenges that are occurring from COVID 19 may be a spinoff pandemic by itself.

The anxiety, depression, insomnia, dementia and paranoia that occur from COVID-19 are not yet fully understood but are affecting a substantial proportion of the population.

These mental health challenges, if not properly addressed, can lead to loss of many more lives and stagnate economic recovery after the pandemic is over.

Long COVID among survivors Long COVID is the long term medical effect of COVID-19 on some of its survivors that negatively impacts their daily function

and living. In addition to the mental health effects mentioned above, some long COVID patients have to deal with kidney failure, lung damage affecting their brea hing, strokes, unexplained pains, heart ailments and many other unexplained conditions that hamper their livelihood. It may affect between 10 to 25 percent of COVID-19 survivors and will be an additional need that healthcare systems have to address as the focus is slowly diverted from COVID-19 when the pandemic is over.

Will it ever end?

None of us know with absolute certainty the answer to this question.

Based on other pandemics and the behaviour of the Sars-cov-2 virus so far, the best answer (guess) is that the virus will remain with us for the foreseeable future.

Given how much this virus has mutated, it is likely that it will weaken but remain with us and behave similar to how the influenza (flu) virus is behaving.

There may be a seasonal rise of new variants that are not as deadly but threatening enough to infect many and be a bother to society.

Hopefully, science will rise above the challenges and find more effective treatments and vaccines that will help eradicate this virus in the years to come.

Until then, we have to live with it and our best options continue to be vaccines and mask wearing.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

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THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Brickdam inferno in the world's unhappiest country

T

he destruction of the Brickdam Police Station was caused by an essential service that failed to materialise. But why the surprise?

Anyone who has been living in Guyana for the past 50 years knows that the concept and process of service have long gone out of existence.

By service, I don't mean governmental service only. I mean service in the real sense of the word. I mean humans living in a society with expectations of things they need in life to preserve their essential functionalism. Its range is long – from water in their tap to getting approval for their children to go to school.

These expectations of modern civilisation have long died in this land.

The non-existence of service is a social tragedy that has destroyed the collective psyche of this nation. People have resigned to their fate that Guyana will never provide them with what modern civilisation must offer to humans to make them happy.

The English philosopher, Jeremy Betham, once observed that the objective of

living is to be happy.

A society will be mentally depressed when it cannot secure the service it needs to exist.

In their own way, the folks without money to travel to the developed world to acquire service and who endure the complete lack of service in their own country were cynical when the station burnt down.

It was wrong to be that way but in philosophy, something can be wrong but yet be logical.

They live without service – from water supply to telephone repairs to getting a birth certificate to putting their little savings in a commercial bank.

They know these things are impossible so when the fire service caused the station to disappear, they probably smiled.

The non-wealthy souls in this land are deeply unhappy people but they have managed to sublimate their psychological suffering for decades now.

They pursue limited happiness in their own unique way.

What follows below comes from my heart. It is the way, which I feel about my

homeland. I grew up very poor in Wortmanville.

The result is that you know about rough life and rough life makes you courageous.

I consider myself a person not easily deterred and intimidated.

Tomorrow, I would cross oceans, despite my age to picket, to demonstrate, to participate in a vigil, to fight with the poor and powerless.

In doing so, I would have no fear of being arrested.

Please read what is to follow here. I have no mental energy, no psychological courage to walk into any commercial bank, GPL, GTT, UG, GWI, GRA, City Hall, any government ministry, any police station, any public heath institution, the registry of the High Court, the Deeds Registry, CH&PA, Lands &Survey, NIS, any private insurance company, passport office, police certification office, police clearance office, any post office, any local airport, any place that offers service.

My heart sinks when I know I have to do that for I know this country does not exist.

For the rough life that prepared me to be a person of

courage, I am mentally shaken when there is the thought that I have to seek service in those places mentioned above.

You are just daunted at the reality that service will not be offered, that you will be mistreated, will be unhappy and will leave with both anger and sadness.

This is the essential Guyana.

This is what Guyanese truly live with.

A fire service in a county where 90 percent of the buildings are wooden did not perform even at half-normal in saving one of the most sensitive security buildings.

Think of how many lives were destroyed because service in this country is nonexistence.

Think of what the mind of a human has become when a

wire sparks, GPL doesn't come despite pleas and you see the resulting fire destroy your future Frederick Kissoon in front of your eyes.

It is a nightmare to Who or what can change have a lost ID card or driver's licence replaced. It is a this country, I confess, I don't know. nightmare to enter City Hall.

All I know is that I am At the moment, both of my land lines are in poor saddened at how the world has left us way, way behind. condition.

I am completely ravaged I am deeply truthful when I say that I have no mental mentally when I see those unhappy faces in a capacity to summon GTT. I have to be at GRA next commercial bank or GRA or week for a simple thing and at NIS or at all the places in Guyana where the concept already I am trembling.

Life should not be like and process of service do not exist. this.

(The views expressed in Those land lines will stay in that condition permanently this article are those of the because I am not going to a u t h o r a n d d o n o t allow GTT to make me necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) stressful.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

Sunday October 10, 2021

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Sunday October 10, 2021

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COW's head - retold by S. E. Schlosser Oksana lived in a small house on the edge of town w i t h h e r f a t h e r, h e r stepmother and her s t e p s i s t e r. O k s a n a ' s stepmother disliked Oksana, favoring her true daughter, Olena. Soon after her father's remarriage, Oksana found that all the housework fell to her while Olena idled her days away. Oksana's father was a timid man, and could not bring himself to defy his wife. So Oksana wore Olena's cast off clothes, and her hands grew red and chapped from scrubbing in the cold, while Olena attended parties, growing lazy and spoiled. One year, when the winter snows were particularly fierce, Oksana's family ran out of money.

Oksana's stepmother began nagging her father to send Oksana away, because they could not afford to keep two girls. Reluctantly, Oksana's father agreed. He took Oksana to a cottage deep in the woods and left her there.

Oksana was very frightened. The woods were said to be filled with demons and monsters. But Oksana was also practical. She entered the cottage with her small bundle and found a fireplace, a lopsided table and a rusty old pot. Oksana put away the loaf of bread, the knife and the slab of cheese her father had given her. She folded the blanket and laid it near the fireplace.

Then she collected wood and built a fire.

Oksana knew the bread and cheese would not last her all winter. So she made a snare using the thin, flexible branches of the trees and caught a snow rabbit to eat.

She also dug under the deep snow, and found some roots and berries for food.

By dark, Oksana had melted water for drinking, and used the rest to make a stew. So Oksana ate well.

Then she lay down near the fire for the night, listening to the wind howl and pretending to herself that she was not frightened of the woods.

It was midnight when the knock came.

Knock, knock, knock.

It echoed hollowly through the dark cottage.

Oksana woke with a start, her heart pounding in fear. It came again.

Knock, knock, knock.

Oksana thought of the monsters. She hid under her blanket, praying the thing would go away.

Knock, knock, knock.

Oksana rose, grabbing a branch. She crept towards the door. The wind howled eerily down the chimney.

Oksana swallowed and swung the door open. There was nothing there. Her heart pounded fiercely as she stared out at the snow whipping about in the light of her small fire. Then she looked down. Oksana let out a shriek of terror and leapt back, dropping her stick. It was a demon. An evil spirit.

It had no body!

"Who are you?" Oksana stuttered, clutching the door with shaking hands.

"I am Cow's Head," it replied.

Indeed, Oksana saw at once that it was. The head was brown, with curved horns and strange, haunted eyes.

"I am cold and hungry.

May I sleep by your fire?" the Cow's Head asked. Its voice was cold and lifeless.

Oksana gulped down her horror.

"Of course," she said.

"Lift me over the threshold," demanded the Cow's Head hollowly.

Oksana did as she was bidden.

"Place me near the fire."

Anger warred with compassion inside her, but

compassion won. Oksana put it next to the fire.

"I am hungry," said the Cow's Head. "Feed me."

Oksana thought of her meager food supply. The stew left in the pot was for her breakfast. She fed it to Cow's Head.

"I will sleep now," it said.

There was no softening in its a t t i t u d e t o w a r d h e r.

Nonetheless, Oksana made it comfortable for the night, giving it her blanket and sleeping in a cold corner with only her cloak to keep her warm.

When she woke in the morning, Cow's Head was gone. Where it had slept was a large trunk, filled with the most beautiful gowns she had ever seen. Under the gowns lay heaps of gold and jewels.

Oksana stared blankly at the riches in front of her. Her father's voice roused her.

"Daughter, I am come."

Oksana forgot the trunk in her joy. She ran into his arms. He had defied her stepmother to come and bring her back to their home.

"Papa, come see!"

Oksana exclaimed as she pulled him into the cottage.

Her words tumbled over each other as she explained.

Her father took her home.

She was honored in her town for her compassion and her bravery, and won scores of suitors. She married soon after her return from the cottage.

Hearing Oksana's story, and seeing the riches she had received, Olena went to the cottage in the forest and spent the night there.

But when Cow's Head appeared, she was too lazy to serve it. In the morning, all her gowns had turned to rags and her possessions to dust.

But Oksana lived to a ripe old age in happiness and prosperity.

One thing at a time Sometimes I find, when doing something, That I try to do another, Like when I am at homework, I want to play with my brother.

I even know when I am at school, Doing some work for my teacher, I stop to chat with some friend, by And then cannot finish ever.

Uncle Roy

So I now see that whatever I am doing, I must put my whole mind to it; This is the only way I can do my best, And so make the most of any effort.

This is also true of everything else, That I have to do each day, Whether eating, bathing, or any work at home, It is one thing at a time always.

Junior page HOW TO MAKE A TOILET PAPER ROLL GHOST CRAFT Materials · Empty, clean toilet paper roll · White construction paper · Black marker · Glue · Scissors · Ruler · Pencil Instructions 1. Measure out the length of the toilet paper roll and cut a corresponding strip of white paper. I like to place the roll's end along the edge of the paper when it's hed lengthwise and draw a line to mark the top.

I do this a couple of times along the length of the paper. Then I use the ruler to connect the lines and cut out the paper.

2. Glue the white construction paper strip to the tube.

3. Use a black marker to draw on a

scary or friendly ghost face.

Tip: Let kids go wild with their ghosts' faces. There's no right or wrong and you'll find that each ghost will have its own unique personality in the end. Celebrate your kids' creativity! Place a batteryoperated tea-light candle inside to make your ghost glow!

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

PAGE 45

TEEN TIME

Developing a Sense of Purpose will keep you focused on your life goals Here are four strategies which you may use to motivate yourself, and to instil in yourself a sense of purpose in life:1. Have great desires or aims for your life, and express these as goals.

2. Build faith and confidence in your own ability to succeed.

3. Clarify your visions and dreams.

Do not keep your goals vague, but try to define them in specific things you need to accomplish.

4. Develop concrete plans on what you will need to do to accomplish your goals.

In the next issues we will be elaborating on each of these strategies

so that you may put them to work in developing your sense of purpose in such a way that the momentum of your life will be sustained, no matter how rough the path you have to follow will become.

We can readily identify those people around us who seem to lack a sense of purpose in life.

They have no definite plans, no career goals, and no courage to believe in themselves.

Unfortunately, this is because many of them have no one who believes in them or encourages them to have this trust in themselves. But many of these only have themselves to

Inky

blame, as they prefer instant pleasures, and think nothing about building a foundation for the future.

Try not to fall into this group who will turn out to be failures in life, and moreso will have nothing to offer others in succeeding to become the productive human beings we are all destined to become.

Check out the following articles on the development of this sense of purpose, and take the time and effort to pursue the advice contained therein to make a success of your life.

You will also serve a useful purpose if you encourage your fellow students to do likewise.

"Fill in the blank squares so that each row and each column contain all of the digits 1 thru 8.

The heavy lines indicate areas (called cages) that contain groups of numbers that can be combined (in any order) to produce the result

shown in the cage, with the indicated math operation.

For example, 12× means you can multiply the values together to produce 12.

Numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the same row or c o l u m n . "

A State of Mind If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you won't; If you like to win, but don't think you can, It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost, For out in the world you'll find Success begins with a fellow's will; It's all in a state of mind.

For many a game is lost, Ere even a play is run, And many a coward fails, Ere even his work is begun.

Think big and your deeds will grow, Think small and you'll fall behind; Think that you can and you will, It's all a state of mind.

If you think you are out-classed, you are, You've got to think high to rise; You've got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win a prize.

Life battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man But sooner or later, the man who wins Is the fellow who thinks he can

Helping others to develop a sense of purpose will keep you focused on your own efforts at this.

TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY person whose main purpose

I am again appealing to all youths who have some personal problem to contact me so that we can work on a solution. Please know that I am an experienced educator, a qualified counsellor, and a

in life is to ensure that others live their lives safely and effectively.

Please get in touch through my email –uncleroy1992@yahoo.com

Solutions to last week’s

Kakuro puzzles

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Beauty tips every 20+ needs to know !

1. Start with proper Cleansing Of all the beauty tips for your face, the first and the foremost is to cleanse your face every time you are back home.

Cleansing involves gently wiping off all the makeup, sunscreen, dirt and pollution that your face has been exposed to. Any smooth, milky cleanser will be a great choice for all skin types. Use warm water to wash your face, then apply some cleanser and rub it over your face in circular motions.

Rinse properly again with warm water after a few minutes and pat dry your face with a towel.

2. Moisturise your skin, always Washing or cleansing often leaves the face dry and scratchy. Hence, the next most important thing you must do for your skin is to keep it hydrated. You can use any oil-free moisturizer as it is great for both oily and dry skin types.

Keeping your skin hydrated at all times is one of the most important beauty tips for dodging those approaching fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Don't forget the sunscreen Whether the sun is overhead or not, applying sunscreen is an essential skincare routine. The damage can prove to be very harmful to the health of your skin. Hence, use only SPF protected creams and makeup products. In addition to this, girls, avoid sun exposure as much as you can!

4. Remember to Exfoliate Exfoliation is essential to purge your skin of all the dead cells and blackheads. Do it only once or twice a week for a smooth, supple skin – the kind every girl pines for! You can book UrbanClap's salon services at home to get this treatment done by experts.

5. Include a lot of antioxidants in your diet!

Antioxidants are great for your skin as they tie down the production of free radicals, prevent aging, dark spots, lines and save you from the harmful effects of pollution and UV rays.

You must munch on a lot of antioxidants such as berries, spinach, broccoli, have lots of freshwater fishes and drink green tea. Nowadays markets too are flooded with skin care products that have antioxidants as an ingredient. Now you know better what to buy on your next grocery shopping!

6.Protect the area surrounding your eyes Because the skin around your eyes is very delicate you must take care of it with the equivalent caution as you do for the rest of your face. This part is very easily prone to wrinkle lines, a clear hint of the aging process. Hence, to plump up the skin around your eyes, start using eye creams in your midtwenties. They not only prevent puffiness but also make your eyes look younger.

7. Never sleep with makeup on Yes, it's the most tiresome job to come back home from party or dance night, all weary and exhausted and sit down to remove all your makeup. But sleeping with all those layers of makeup on your face can do more damage than you can even think of. It leads to blocking of pores and subsequently bad breakouts. Therefore, an important beauty tip here is to always use a cleanser or a makeup remover of a good brand to remove the makeup before you go to sleep, no matter how worn out you feel.

Following this simple 7 step routine will save you from feeling guilty in your 30s. And though skincare routine sounds much like a splurge, we have provided you with 7 most affordable and convenient ways of keeping your skin gleaming and radiant. Enjoy your 20s and prep effortlessly for an even more enjoyable 30s. https://www.urbancompany.com/blog/beauty/7 -beauty-tips-every-20-something-needs-know/

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

The Court Journal

By Renay Sambach On Tuesday, the second edition of Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers was launched in Guyana. The Code of Ethics contains principles and rules which all persons who administer justice are required to observe in their day-to-day relationship with the legal profession and the public. It also outlines the standard of ethical conduct of all judicial officers and in particular, key values by which a judicial officer is expected to live and work. They are propriety, independence, integrity, impartiality, equality and competence, and diligence.

T h e s e c o n d edition/revised Code of Ethics was launched 18 years after the first edition was launched in Guyana.

The Judicial Officers who worked on the revised Code of Ethics are: Justice Dawn Gregory, Justice Jo Ann B a r l o w, J u s t i c e P r i y a S e w n a r i n e - B e h a r r y, Principle Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, Principle Magistrate Judy Latchman and Senior Magistrate Leron Daly. The committee was headed by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan.

The following information was taken from the second edition of the Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers.

PROPRIETY According to the Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers, propriety and the appearance of propriety are essential to the performance of all of the activities of a judicial officer.

Two principles listed are: a judicial officer shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all of his or her activities and

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Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers

as the object of constant public scrutiny, a judicial officer must accept such personal restrictions of their activities as are consonant with the office. In particular, a judicial officer shall conduct himself or herself in a way that is consistent with the dignity of the office.

It was also stated that a judicial officer must not be a member of a political party; engage in political fundraising; attend political gatherings and political fundraising events; contribute to political parties or their campaigns or take part publicly in controversial discussions of a partisan, political character.

“The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and its commentaries, this Code and other regional and international codes of judicial conduct and judicial ethics apply to judicial officers' digital lives as much as to their real lives,” the Code of Ethics highlighted.

It was further stated that Judicial officers, like every citizen of Guyana, are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly.

H o w e v e r, t h e y a r e required to always conduct themselves in a manner which upholds the dignity of their office and maintains the impartiality and independence of the judiciary.

According to the second edition of the code, the way a judicial officer uses social media may have an impact on the public perception of all judicial officers and confidence in the judicial

Justice Nareshwar Harnanan

Principle Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

system.

INDEPENDENCE An independent judiciary is indispensable to impartial justice under the law. A judicial officer should therefore participate in establishing, maintaining and enforcing high standards of conduct.

He or she shall personally observe those standards so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary in both its individual and institutional aspects will be preserved.

This is according to the Code of Ethics.

Tw o p r i n c i p l e s o f independence are: a judicial officer shall exhibit and promote high standards of judicial conduct in order to reinforce public confidence which is fundamental to the maintenance of judicial independence and in performing judicial duties, a

Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly.

Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. judicial officer shall, within the judicial officer's own court, be independent of judicial colleagues in respect of decisions which the judicial officer is obliged to

Justice Dawn Gregory

Principle Magistrate, Judy Latchman.

make independently.

INTEGRITY Integrity is necessary for the proper and effective discharge of the judicial office. Judicial officers must conduct themselves respectfully and with integrity to maintain and enhance public confidence in the judiciary.

To this end, it was stated that a judicial officer must facilitate access to justice for all.

Judicial officers must carry out their duties with appropriate consideration for all the parties, whether or not they are represented, and ensure that they are treated fairly and with civility, so as to provide them with reasonable access to court processes.

Another principle listed under integrity is that judicial officers must not engage in any form of harassment and abuse of authority or status.

IMPARTIALITY

Impartiality is essential to the proper discharge of the judicial office. It applies not only to the making of a decision itself but also to the process by which the decision is made.

A judicial officer shall perform his or her judicial duties without favour, bias or prejudice.

To ensure impartiality, a judicial officer shall disqualify himself or herself from any proceedings in which there may be a reasonable perception of a lack of impartiality of t h e j u d i c i a l o ff i c e r including, but not limited to instances where: the judicial officer has actual bias or prejudice concerning a party or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceedings or the judicial officer had served previously as an attorney-at- law or was a material witness in the matter (Continued on page 62)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

GNBS IN FOCUS The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has designated October 10 to 15, 2021 as National Quality Week (NQW) and to mark the occasion, a number of activities will be conducted to engage and educate stakeholders on the importance of quality and standards.

The week's celebrations surround World Standards D a y , w h i c h i s commemorated annually on October 14. The theme chosen for the 2021 observances by the International Organisation

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GNBS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL QUALITY WEEK, 2021

for Standardisation (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is “Standards for SDGs – our vision for a better world”. The following is a combined message by the ISO, IEC and ITU: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which project to address social imbalances, develop a sustainable economy, and slow the rate of climate change, are highly ambitious. To reach them will require the cooperation

of many public and private partners, and the use of all available tools, including international standards and conformity assessment.

The intense battle against a persistent global pandemic revealed the absolute necessity of addressing the SDGs in an inclusive way, to strengthen our societies, making them more resilient and more equitable. Today, we are asking you to join us on a mission that affirms the importance of the SDGs to build back better. In this pursuit, standards are more relevant than ever.

The entire standards

system is built on collaboration. It is testament to the power of cooperation and the belief that we are stronger than the sum of our parts. By working together, we are empowering people with real-world solutions to face sustainability challenges head-on.

It is in this spirit that we are engaging in a multi-year Wo r l d S t a n d a r d s D a y journey that showcases the many ways in which international standards contribute to the success of the SDGs. We stand united to work together to accelerate the

2030 Agenda, with standards for the SDGs, and our 'Shared vision for a better world'.

On World Standards Day, the GNBS will be offering a free food safety training for small food handlers and agroprocessors. Other activities planned in observance of National Quality Week 2021, include the National Quality Awards ceremony where companies will be recognised for their commitment to standards and quality, and radio programmes to discuss the theme and the Bureau's role

supporting stakeholders within the various sectors.

Additionally, apart from publicised messages by M i n i s t e r o f To u r i s m , Industry and Commerce Hon. Oneidge Walrond, Chair of the National Standards Council Mr. Vladim Persaud and Executive Director (Ag.) of the GNBS Ms. Ramrattie Karan, there will also be other social media engagements by external s t a k e h o l d e r s . L a s t l y, appreciation will be shown to our internal stakeholders (Staff) who have served with (Continued on page 58)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

CANU nabs two in drug raid

The bulky parcels that were found during the CANU's operation.

T

wo persons were nabbed by agents from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) following the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana with a street value of over $4 million.

According to CANU, its agents, acting on information conducted a stop and search operation

at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Friday.

CANU agents, it was revealed, intercepted a motor lorry with drugs concealed among its cargo.

A thorough search of the vehicle revealed 522 grams of cocaine and 5.866 kgs of cannabis hidden in cardboard boxes among other cargo.

CANU revealed that the cocaine seized has a street value of $1.5 million and the marijuana over $3 million.

Tw o s u s p e c t s a r e currently in CANU's custody as investigations are being conducted.

CANU further noted that the operation represented part of CANU's continued efforts to deter the flow of narcotics across Guyana.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

Man, 21, among 10 COVID-19 fatalities - Ministry says all were unvaccinated Ten additional people have died from COVID-19 pushing Guyana's total deaths to 835, the Ministry of Health reported yesterday. The 10 deaths included five men and five women who were all unvaccinated.

The Ministry of Information noted that the youngest fatality was a 21year-old man from Region Six (East Berbice, Corentyne) and the oldest a 90-year-old woman from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The other fatalities were of males ages 76, 78 years and females ages 32 and 51 years old from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), a 63-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara), a male, 67, from Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Berbice) and two females ages 71 and 81 years from Region Two (Pomeroon-

Supernaam).

According to the Ministry, five of the persons died on Saturday while the other five passed away earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, the Ministry recorded 229 new infections which have brought Guyana's total infections to 33,566. The new cases were recorded as follows: Region One - 11 cases, Region Two - 19 cases, Region Three - 48 cases, Region Four - 80 cases, Region Five - nine cases, Region Six - 33 case, Region Seven - five cases, Region Nine - two cases and Region 10 - 22 cases.

Additionally, there are 29 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 159 in institutional isolation, 3,608 in home isolation, and six in institutional quarantine.

A total of 28,935 people have since recovered.

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Sunday October 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Education Ministry spends in excess of...

From page 13 the Report, the CPCE has registered 2,521 first year students for the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) program and 39 students for t h e Tr a i n e d Te a c h e r s Certificate programme using their online platform.

Of note, for the first time, the ADE programmes were offered in Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9, with a total of 243 students registered, having access to training online along with a flash drive for every subject.

Each month these students will visit the various centres to facilitate readiness assessment.

Further, a total of 86,606 continuing students for the

ADE programme are currently engaged online and were expected to complete the programme in August 2021.

In the area of postsecondary and tertiary education, all Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutional programmes have transitioned to online training, of which 2,847 students are engaged.

Students are also exposed to face to face sessions for some practical components.

The Report stated that 4,077 Teachers were trained in either the ICT or Innovation Platform Accounting for 799 Nursery,

1,819 Primary and 1,459 Secondary school Teachers.

In the first half, contracts were awarded to expand and rehabilitate practical instructional centres at Hopetown, Fellowship and Beterverwagting and to upgrade the Northwest Secondary School Practical Instructional Department.

These projects will create an alternative pathway for approximately 400 s t u d e n t s w i t h qualifications that will make them employable. In addition, tools and equipment for the TVET institutions have been procured at the cost of GY$292.2 million.

Guyana's oil sector still without 100 plus...

From page 3 done in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, and ensuring there is

maximum capacity development among locals to enable their participation.

In managing revenue, the Trinidadian Strategist said that Guyana would also have to put mechanisms in place urgently, which will allow for the effective collection of all oil revenue due to the State, while ensuring that there is prudent spending by enhancing infrastructure, services and capacity for future sustainability along with ensuring savings for future generations.

Further to this, Paul was keen to note that the authorities of the day must make every effort to ensure that it is informing Guyanese of how and when they are

making decisions about the oil resources. He said that it is required of the citizenry to make sure that these decisions are in their best interest.

He said, too, that Guyanese must demand that the government implements systems to ensure transparency and accountability for each institution tasked with spending the oil money and regulating industry performance.Overall, Paul's report highlights the need for Guyana to make urgent reforms, otherwise, the nation stands to lose billions more, and that is outside of what is already lost by way of the lopsided Stabroek Block

GNBS TO CELEBRATE...

From page 55 the organisation for a considerable number of years during Bureau's Long Serving Awards and Staff Appreciation Ceremony.

World over, on World Standards Day, tributes are paid to those in the field of Standardisation, and events and opportunities are utilised to highlight the importance of standards.

The GNBS encourages

the Guyanese public to be engaged in the activities of National Quality Week 2021 and beyond to learn how our available services and standards impact businesses and the life of every individual.

For further information and daily updates, please visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

PAGE 59

Urgent reforms needed to boost growth and prevent another Lost Decade in Latin America and the Caribbean -World Bank Report The scars from the COVID-19 crisis will take years to fade if countries in Latin America and the Caribbean don't take immediate steps to boost a lackluster recovery from the pandemic, with poverty now at its highest level in decades, according to a new World Bank report, “Recovering Growth, Rebuilding Dynamic Post-Covid Economies Amid Fiscal Constraints”.

Although regional growth is projected to recover at 6.3 percent in 2021, with vaccination accelerating and COVID-19 deaths falling, for most countries, it will fail to completely reverse the 6.7 percent contraction last year.

Furthermore, growth forecasts for the next two years sink to below three

percent, returning to the low growth rates of the 2010s and fuelling fears of another Lost Decade of development.

To generate the kind of growth rates that would move the region forward and lessen social tensions, the region needs to urgently implement long delayed but feasible reforms in infrastructure, education, health, energy policy, and innovation, as well as tackle new challenges posed by climate change, according to the report.

"Countries in the region made enormous efforts to help families in the midst of the pandemic. Now, the challenge is to generate a robust recovery which provides job opportunities and heals the wounds of the crisis," said Carlos Felipe

Jaramillo, Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank.

recovery, while rising public deficits and debt limit potential for future government activity.

o f G D P. “ G i v e n t h e imperative to stimulate more dynamic, inclusive and greener growth within this

Nevertheless, a regional recovery faces multiple barriers. Any recurrence of the virus will hit growth, while persistent global inflationary pressures could lead to higher borrowing rates, depressing demand.

Meanwhile, high private sector indebtedness may limit its capacity to drive the

“Efforts to mitigate the effects of the crisis triggered hefty spending increases, leading to higher deficits and public debt,” said William Maloney, Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank, explaining that average public debt had risen by 15 points to 75.38 percent

context of scarcer resources, governments will need to rethink how efficiently and how well they spend public resources.”

Through boosting transparency and accountability in the public sector while employing private sector discipline, the report urges the promotion of

sustainable and equitable growth in three broad areas: Rethinking Spending Priorities – By moving to global levels of efficiency and reprioritising spending, health systems can deliver quick wins that could extend average lifespans by four years. Education can be improved by focusing on hardest hit schools, improving the use of technology, and shifting towards short cycle programmes at university level that will better align available skills with industry needs. Research and development spending, at half the level of middleincome countries, can be used more efficiently by ensuring linkages between (Continued on page 64)

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Sunday October 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Grey Table Talk poised to be the ultimate safe haven for frank discourse on real life issues

Reputable esthetician, Sadia Ali- Rahaman during discussions on Grey Table Talk with columnist and entrepreneur, Latoya Zephyr In today’s society and especially in Guyana, topics addressing the difficulties and struggles of everyday day life are not discussed and we’re creating new generations of young men and women who are only learning about life through the media.

People are more confused and are thinking that something is wrong with them and because of this lack of understanding, they struggle to cope.

We should not all have to experience life the hard way

to learn. As such, Grey Table Talk aims to create a community that’s inclusive, that offers support and direction and sends the message that we’re not alone in our struggles, with the

belief that if we can understand ourselves, we can understand our communities and positively impact overall mental health.

The Grey Table Talk is therefore an IGTV forum where real life issues and topic are discussed and experiences are shared to foster a culture of understanding and awareness.

Be sure to catch the premier of Grey Table Talk which airs this Sunday October 10th at 7pm on Instagram @greytabletalk.

Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège: The taste of Royalty in a bottle Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège is a balanced cognac, expressing 200 years of Hennessy’s know-how.

The fruit of nature’s uncertainties, this unique blend has tamed the elements to craft and embody the original concept of cognac.

The emotion awakened by the pleasure of tasting it continually reveals new facets of its personality.

The savoir-faire of the Maison Hennessy is fully expressed in this balanced cognac: the selection of eaux-de-vie, aging and assemblage.

A cognac of remarkable consistency and vitality, Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège conveys all of the savoir-faire of the Hennessy master blenders who have ensured the continued success of this harmonious assemblage for 200 years. Be sure to enjoy responsibly, this special selection that is distributed by Ansa McAL.

Sunday October 10, 2021

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Kaieteur News

How Can We Deal With The Mental Wellbeing Challenges Post COVID-19?

There has never been a more urgent time to discuss mental health than now.

Mental health is as important as physical health. And everyone is entitled to mental healthcare. That is why the theme of World Mental Health Day, for the year 2021 is ‘Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality’.

The two waves of COVID-19 shook the foundation of how the world functioned and changed our lives completely. Each and every one of us got reminded how interdependent we are on each other when we stayed confined to our homes. As we re-enter social life after COVID-19 slowly, there are a lot of ways in which each of us has been impacted. Greater access to mental welfare is the need of the hour because not only have we all been scarred by the events of the past year and a half, new challenges such as getting used to a new routine all over again await us.

Let us look into how we can prepare ourselves mentally to face the challenge that lies ahead of us.

How COVID-19 impacted our mental well being It is not just the physical health of people affected due to COVID-19. It is no secret that the pandemic severely impacted the mental health of people around the world.

Everybody from COVID affected individuals, nonaffected members and even healthcare workers were severely impacted.

Uncertainty surrounding the treatment, the daily death toll and loss of jobs around the world put people under severe stress. The shift in daily life activities and staying confined to a space also led to people developing problems like anxiety and depression. The National Mental Health Survey found that around 10% of all adults in India met the diagnostic criteria for mental health conditions.

The World Health Assembly in 2021 brought together several governments from around the world. In the conference, it was recognised that mental health services need to be scaled up. Life after COVID19 presents newer challenges.

You can start preparing yourself mentally to face the new normal and the bigger challenges that lay ahead.

Dealing with mental health post COVID-19 Social distancing, uncertainty, staying locked in and a grim atmosphere took a toll on the mental health of

people. With the world slowly returning back to normal, a big challenge is how to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of people.

Feeling stressed, confused or anxious is very normal and anyone reading this should not feel like they are weak if they experienced the same feelings. Another factor that is taking a toll on our psyche is acclimatizing ourselves to the old preCOVID routine. We had got used to WFH and managing everything from our homes.

Returning to the old norm is especially stressful for people who have trouble with social interactions.

Dealing with these feelings during the pandemic led to a lot of meditation, exercise, yoga and keeping the body healthy. This norm needs to be continued so that we can maintain our mental equilibrium in the postpandemic world.

For life after COVID-19, the following can be helpful tips to develop mental strength: 1. Focus on everyday actions no matter how small they are Dealing with new challenges starts with dealing with the small challenges that lay ahead of you. Start setting small goals for yourself like getting physical exercise, reading daily or even remembering to appreciate the nature around you. The feeling of achieving small tasks can translate to a healthy mindset that is ready to face greater challenges.

2. Empower yourself and the people around you Mental wellbeing is a journey that should not be tread alone. COVID-19 already isolated us enough.

Now is the time to engage in positive dialogue and motivate those who are dealing with a negative headspace since the pandemic. The pandemic brought the world together as a community that are facing the same problems. Building a strong support system helps you and others around you to be ready for greater challenges.

3. Set small goals and prepare yourself for the upcoming changes Going back to work or educational institutes, after staying home-bound for long may give a lot of anxiety to many. Prepare yourself by visualizing your visit and routine at your workplace, interacting with colleagues and pre-visit the campus once or twice to overcome any hesitation. Accustom your daily routine based on the

new changes to bring your body clock in sync with the new schedule.

4. Seek help Mental health has always been a topic associated with mass stigma. The pandemic has forced people to hush mental health issues. The precontagion world had a higher level of hesitation for mental health issues. It is now a task for citizens and policymakers to address this and create a ‘new normal’ that is inclusive of the emotional needs of people. There is a clean slate to work with in life after COVID-19. Keep it real, share your emotions, feelings and problems with your loved ones and feel free to seek professional help.

The challenge of creating a new normal considering the needs of all people Mental wellbeing and overall health should be a priority now. With the learnings from this pandemic, we should be able to plan our goals, finances and education better. Ensuring safety for all by getting vaccinated and following COVID appropriate behaviour is important. The emotional and physical needs of each age group of the society are different and significant. Every member of society and their needs should be taken into account when crafting the strategies for the new normal.

Conclusion As life after COVID-19

continues there are lots of questions that are posed to humanity as a whole. Are we really ready to face the challenges that lie ahead of us?

Mental wellbeing is one of the factors that affect the whole of humanity in a similar manner. It is not easy to suddenly take a positive outlook after being affected negatively for such a long time.

However, as we face new challenges it becomes vital to look for ways to create a better world after the pandemic. To help people face challenges post the pandemic, it has become a need of the hour to address their mental health and help

them cope with life.

Cooperation and determination can help turn this crisis into an opportunity for improvement.

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional.

Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation. (https:// pharmeasy.in/blog/how-canwe-deal-with-the-mentalwellbeing-challenges-postcovid-19/0

6 Everyday Benefits Of Jeera Water That You Should Know!

In a bid to lead a healthy life and lose weight, we keep trying different hacks and healthy concoctions.

Besides promising countless health benefits, they also claim to detoxify the body and help in weight loss. But one drink has been proven to do so. That drink is cumin or jeera water.

Jeera’s health benefits were documented in the ancient ayurvedic texts, a significant part of which has been verified by modern science. But it has been used in most Indian kitchens since ancient times.

This spice adds a nutty and earthy flavour to foods and is packed with health benefits. It can be especially useful to people who have trouble losing weight. The easiest way to soak in the benefits of this wonder spice is to consume jeera water.

To prepare jeera water, all you need to do is soak a handful of cumin seeds in water and let it rest overnight. Being soaked for that long, the seeds swell up

and release bioactive compounds into the water.

Once you chug down this concoction in the morning daily, you will notice a difference in just 10-14 days.

The Benefits of Jeera Water Are: Here is why jeera water can be your ultimate detox drink when you are looking to lose weight – · Low in calories: One teaspoon of jeera seeds contains only about seven calories! That’s very low compared to other beverages. · Packed with Antioxidants Seeds of cumin are loaded with antioxidants that play a significant role in aiding weight loss. Extracts of cumin seeds are rich in polyphenols and numerous other compounds that prevent oxidative stress inside your body.

These not only detoxify the body by eliminating toxins from your system but also boost your immunity.

Read more about what are antioxidants & why you need them.

· Improves Digestion: Drinking jeera water regularly paves the way for a healthy digestive system, which, in turn, keeps the overall body functioning on track. A particular compound called thymol found in cumin seeds stimulates gastric gland secretion.

This helps to break down complex nutrients like proteins, fat and sugar to keep your gut healthy – and keeps digestive issues, such as indigestion, diarrhoea and nausea at bay. · Increases Metabolism & Fat burning: Jeera or cumin accelerates body metabolism and promotes fat burning, making you look, fitter. The detox water is primarily useful in getting rid of stubborn belly fat.

The fat burning property of jeera water can be sped up with the aid of a regular exercise regime. A daily exercise routine, however simple it is, keeps the body fit and helps in the journey of fat burning. If a routine exercise regime is followed the calorie-burning properties of jeera water will help the effects of exercise show

faster! · Keeps Inflammationinduced Obesity Away: Seeds of jeera are a powerhouse of antiinflammatory properties due to the presence of bioactive compounds. Studies have shown that obesity is a proinflammatory condition.

Therefore, sipping on jeera water can prevent the onset of inflammation-induced obesity.

The struggle for weight loss is a long one. However, these fantastic jeera water benefits make it the ultimate weight loss drink.

Since cumin or jeera water has a bland taste, you can try having it with a pinch of lemon juice or cinnamon powder. This will make the detox water appealing to your taste buds, as well as your weight loss goals. · Reduces Risk of Cancer: Jeera water has anticarcinogenic properties. It reduces the risk of a variety of cancers. It also prevents metastasis, which is the spreading of cancer to other parts of the body. (https:// pharmeasy.in/blog/jeerawater-the-ultimate-detoxdrink-for-weight-loss/)

PAGE 62

Kaieteur News WANTED

FOR RENT

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

Tel#650-7501.

Vreed-En-Hoop junction, place to rent for Office, Bond, Hair Salon other. Call:6036400.

Unfurnish & furnish house and apartment for rent, Vreed-en-hoop, Providence, Diamond. Call:604-6664/2162299.

TO LET CAR RENTAL Aidan's Car Rental.Call:2253234/628-1183.

3 bedroom,recently renovated. Excellent condition.

Enmore access road. Call: 6673799.

1 experienced accounts clerk.Payroll NIS & PAYE.Per month $90,000. Call:2231229/675-0587 between 8:00am to 3:30pm.

Males for interior to work,female for bar & 1 live in domestic for Georgetown over 18. Call:687-7638/6913942.

Domestic help,must have some knowledge of cooking preferably from Kitty/ Campbellville area. Call:6176135/226-6137.

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

SERVICES

Apartment in Eccles.Two bedroomsroomsin Albertown. Call:225-3234.

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

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

Call:657-9237.

Steel Rods Sale! For the cheapest prices in Guyana, come to Alabama Trading,3/ 8"HT rods,1/2HT rods & 5/ 8"HT rods.

Foreign use outboard Motor Yamaha 200HP for 550K, 40HP for 380K, powerhead & lower unit. Call:668-2541/ 671-6695.

Inboard Fishing for sale (Complete in good working condition. Contact:615-3237/ 227-0399.

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

Tel:673-7087.

Vacancy for: 1.Skilled Mason 2.Skilled Carpenter. Contact:602-9469,657-5800,6662887.

Counter Clerk to work in charity. Contact 223-5273 / 2235274.

Vacancy exist for Riders.

Requirements valid bike license,secondary level education. Whatsapp 681-2877 Call:600-4497.

Experienced counter clerk in Hardware business. Attractive salary.Contact Charles 623-4242/227-7163 between 9-4.

Poultry/Livestock Farmers.

Livein accomodations. Send application to Survival Shopping Complex. Call:6092995.

Cook for Mazaruni river.

Poppy show landing. Contact 662-7718 & 677-0869.

For drivers. Requirements: valid drivers license (with motor lorry). Call Survival Shopping Complex609-2995.

One experienced male cook to work 2 weeks in interior.

Call:683-3360.

Jet and Marack men to work on land dredge in interior.

Tel:699-3857.

EDUCATION Electrical wiring,Auto electrical wiring training courses.

Tel:225-9587. Technical Studies Institute.

Private teaching for Primary & Secondary classes.Call Sir Stanley-675-8268(Cpce trained &covid vaccinated).

VACANCY

Porters,TM log Truck drivers,Chainsaw & Mill operator.Call:609-7675/6741705.

One male able bodied clerk.

Call:225-2313,226-1497.

Experience Taxi driver at Princess Hotel Providence.

Call:265-7075/616-5419.

1 experience domestic to work Bel Air park,two day's per week.Fully vaccinated. Tel: 226-2322.

To live and work on a Poultry Farm Soesdyke area. $4,500 per day. Call:223-1229/6750587 between 8:00am to 3:30pm.

1 night guard,La Penitence area.Call:223-1229.

A strict diet helped me beat breast ...

From page 50 addition, to undergoing the lumpectomy.”

The survivor added regular exercise to her adjustments for a strict diet, which helped her attain even a healthier persona and perspective.

Field explained, “As I maintained my strict diet and exercise regularly, I found that I had the energy to do a lot of the things that before I was too lethargic to get done. If I didn’t tell you that I was battling cancer, you would not believe that, with the amount of energy I had.”

She explained that another determining factor in beating breast cancer is stress management. “I learned that panic and mental fatigue would weaken your immune system even more and that would kill you faster than cancer itself,” she said.

“I was living in an overpopulated State of New York at the time which was full of pollution both air and water,

not forgetting the stress life throws at us from time to time.

I had to eliminate stress. I moved out of state. Also, I made a lot of drastic psychological and physical changes.

I paid more attention to stress triggers like people with unbalanced mindsets. I learned to meditate, I began reading books based on living a conscious life. I have experienced significant changes and now I have a more positive perspective on life,” she added.

The survivor noted that in addition to beating breast cancer, the experience has taught her to listen to her body and take better care of herself. As a breast cancer survivor, Field advocates for regular checkups with the doctor in addition to continuous self-examination of one’s breasts.

She noted, “It was my intuition about a lump in my breast that led to the discovery that I had cancer; something that my yearly mammo-

gram had not picked up. So, I encourage anyone who would heed my advice; your body speaks to you, listen to it; educate yourself about treating your body; become health-conscious: exercise, manage your stress level, it could save your life.”

And, while she was able to beat her cancer through a strict dietary treatment, Field says it is not easy to remain on that diet.

She warns, however, that given the aggressive nature of the disease, returning to old eating habits could lead to the return of cancer as well.

“You have to be determined to give that cancer cell nothing to feed on, and if you don’t feed it, it will die. It’s not easy to be disciplined to maintain that diet… I find myself slipping sometimes but as soon as I catch myself, I get back to my diet. It’s the consistent process of fighting and beating breast cancer,” she said.

Region’s Public Health boosted by ...

For a porter,truck drivers/ salesman.Experiences will be an asset.Contact:661-1000.

One male clerk. Call:2312029,616-5957. Genuine.

Sunday October 10, 2021

Factory workers and Sale Representatives.Must have a sound Secondary Education. For more info, call:2230090.

Domestic worker, Baker, Counter staff,Kitchen assistance. Apply:Bettencourt's Diner.Call:231-1368/223-1938.

We're hiring.Position exist for:Mason,Carpenter, Labourer.Contact:618-5255.

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

Minibus & Taxi drivers. To work and keep. Call:225-3234.

Cook/Baker,Kitchen assistant and Pitmen for interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call:231-2250.

From page 19 Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to combat HIV is evidenced by the more than 185 Million United States Dollars provided in funding to Guyana since 2004. She also highlighted that the partnership has resulted in significant strides in HIV prevention, treatment and care in Guyana. The Ambassador was pleased to share that the PEPFAR programme received a two-year extension through the hard work of USAID and the Ministry of Health to help Guyana further its accomplishments in ending AIDS. Ambassador Lynch concluded by congratulating the certificate recipients for having the vision of ending AIDS and stated that the U. S. Government remains committed to

working with the Ministry of Health, CARICOM and the private sector to help this become a reality in Guyana.

Dr. Rosmond Adams, Director, PANCAP, reiterated PANCAP’s commitment to building the capacity of Public Health Practitioners working in HIV prevention, treatment and care. He stated that the initiative would be the first of many partnering with international universities to enhance the capacities of clinical and public health workers.Additional highlights included testimonials from three doctors who completed the course, including Dr. Tariq Jagnarine, Programme Manager, National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Ministry of Health; Dr Mallika Mootoo,

Paediatrician, Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital and Dr. Abiola Jacobs, Director, National Care and Treatment Centre. They reflected on the value of the course to their work implementation.

Certificate recipients included medical practitioners, programme managers, public health practitioners, medex and nurses from the Ministry of Health, Guyana, Society against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Davis Memorial Hospital and CARICOM-PANCAP. The capacity building initiative formed part of PANCAP’s overarching strategy to protect and maintain the gains made in the HIV response as the Region continues to navigate COVID-19.

Code of Ethics for Judicial Officers From page 47 in controversy.

EQUALITY Ensuring equality of treatment to all before the courts is essential to the due performance of the judicial office.

A judicial officer shall be aware of and understand diversity in society and differences arising from various sources, including but not limited to race, colour, gender, religion, creed, national origin, culture, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Moreover, a judicial officer shall not, in the performance of judicial duties, by words or conduct, manifest bias or prejudice towards any person or group on irrelevant considerations, except to take any action to achieve 'substantive equality' in appropriate circumstances. The principle of substantive equality

requires the judiciary, in this instance, to take necessary actions to advance access to justice by all court users in a way that is responsive to their particular needs, according to the document.

COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE It also notes that competence and diligence are prerequisites for the due performance of judicial office. The duties of a judicial officer are paramount and take precedence over all other activities and a judicial officer shall perform all judicial duties, including the delivery of reserved judgments with punctuality, reasonable promptness and with due regard to statutory obligations.

IMPLEMENTATION ANDACCOUNTABILITY Implementing these principles and ensuring the compliance of judicial officers with them are essential to the ef-

objectives of this Code. Despite the need to preserve their independence, judicial officers must be mindful that they are accountable to the populace they serve.

Judicial office and judicial officers are not, except in accordance with law, accountable to any organ or entity of the State for their judicial decisions.

All judicial officers agree to implement and ensure compliance with the Statements and Principles of this Code. The implementation of these Statements and Principles shall take into account the legitimate needs of judicial officers. They must be afforded protection from vexatious or unsubstantiated accusations.

As such, any complaint against them must be processed in a manner recognising both their unique position and the need

Sunday October 10, 2021

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World should send pledged aid to Afghans to avert economic, refugee crisis – UNHCR ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The world should urgently provide promised aid to Afghanistan, the U.N. refugee agency said yesterday, warning that a lack of resources is hampering efforts to avert an economic crisis that could push fresh flows of refugees to its neighbours and beyond.

"The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan remains really dire," Babar Baloch, spokesperson for the U.N. High Commmissioner for Refugees, said in an interview in Islamabad.

"The focus has to be inside Afghanistan to avoid and avert another refugee crisis."

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan on Aug. 15, the country - already struggling with drought and severe poverty from decades of war - has seen its economy all but collapse.

Most of the nation's international assistance has been cut off, though there

Sunday October 10, 2021

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are exceptions for humanitarian aid. Billions of dollars in central bank assets held abroad have also been frozen, which has put pressure on the banking system."Our worry is Afghan suffering will increase, the impact will be inside…but also it could be beyond Afghanistan…in terms of displacement not only to countries like Pakistan and Iran that have been generous hosts of refugees for decades, but beyond."

The total needed for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan in the next few months is $600 million, Baloch said, and only 35% of that had been provided by international donors, despite promises at a recent conference in Geneva where donors pledged more than $1 billion in aid.

"Those pledges have to turn into reality, the cash has to be there for us to step in and support...Afghans," he said.

Baloch added there were new challenges since the collapse of the government and the takeover of the country by the Taliban administration. The lack of commercial flights meant supplies needed to be taken in on special flights or by road.He said a humanitarian hub had been set up in Uzbekistan to fly in supplies which were then driven across the border into northern Afghanistan.U.N. agencies are engaging with members of the Taliban administration, he said, adding there were some positive signs but one key issue was ensuring female local staff were able to get back to work in all parts of the country.In Qatar, Taliban representatives asked the United States to lift a ban on Afghan central bank reserves at a meeting with U.S. counterparts, Afghanistan's acting foreign minister said yesterday in remarks reported by AlJazeera television.

British industry warns of factory closures without help on fuel costs LONDON - (Reuters) B r i t a i n ' s m o s t e n e rg y intensive manufacturers, including producers of steel, glass, ceramics and paper, have warned the government that unless something is done about soaring wholesale gas prices they could be forced to shut down production.

Wholesale gas prices have increased 400% this year in Europe, partly due to low stocks and strong demand from Asia, putting particular pressure, on energy intensive industries.

Industry bosses held talks on Friday with business minister Kwasi Kwarteng but said these ended with no immediate solutions.

"If the government doesn't take any action then basically what we'll see for the steel sector is more and

Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng more pauses of production in certain times of the day and those pauses will become longer," Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel told ITV News.Similarly,

Andrew Large, director general of the Confederation of Paper Industries, told the same broadcaster that he could not rule out factories having to suspend production due to increased energy costs.

David Dalton of the British Glass Manufacturers Association said some companies were days away from halting production.

After meeting the industry leaders on Friday, Kwarteng's department said he was determined to secure a competitive future for Britain's energy intensive industries.

It said he "promised to continue to work closely with companies over the coming days to further understand and help mitigate the impacts of any cost increases faced by

Urgent reforms needed to boost growth...

From page 59 research centers and the private sector, while greater public transfers and infrastructure investment could help to boost growth and lower inequality. Energy generation and consumption can be made more environmentally and fiscally sustainable by better t a rg e t i n g s u b s i d i e s t o vulnerable populations (40 to 60 percent of electricity subsidies go to the top 20 percent of earners).

More Efficient Spending – Rather than cutting spending, cutting the inefficiencies in procurement civil service, and transfer programes that represent an average loss of 4.4 percent of GDP can free up resources for other goals.

In procurement alone, better practices that reduce corruption, reduce inefficiencies and increase the bidding competitiveness are estimated to be able to save up to 22 percent of

spending without changing existing procurement laws.

Enhancing revenue streams - There is room for expanding taxes without s i g n i f i c a n t l y a ff e c t i n g growth. Areas to explore include expanding property and to a less extent income taxes, raising levies on unhealthy goods and carbon emissions, and improving tax enforcement in a region where average evasion rates for corporate income tax is almost 50 percent.

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Sunday October 03, 2021

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Region 4 pensioners happy to receive one-off cash grant, 2022 books - Human Services Ministry appeals for persons to utilise multiple days of the week The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security rolled out its massive distribution exercise of the one-off $25,000 cash grant along with the 2022 pension book delivery in Region Four and found that pensioners were extremely happy about this.

Being able to receive both the grant and book in just one trip, pensioners lauded the Ministry for this “forwardthinking approach”.

The pensioners and public assistance recipients were thrilled with the extra cash and already have plans on how to spend it.

There was some amount of crowding at several locations since the exercise got underway last Monday, and subject minister, Dr. Vi n d h y a P e r s a u d , h a d cautioned against everyone choosing to show up on the first two days of the exercise, when in fact, multiple days are available to catchment areas.

“I want to thank the pensioners for being patient with us as we roll this out in a very ambitious way. We would be visiting all the locations to ensure that things run smoothly,” Dr. Persaud told reporters early last Monday at the Campbellville Secondary School.

P e r s o n s h a v e undoubtedly been very eager to receive their vouchers and pension books for 2022 and offered kind words of gratitude to Minister Persaud during her interactions with them. She has pledged to look into issues personally as they come up during her visit to the various locations.

As the week progressed, the process became more orderly and simple and persons seem to be more willing to follow protocol and the procedures in place.

However, the Ministry wishes to remind the public that it is necessary for persons to show up in the area that is assigned to serve them.

Upon uplifting their vouchers, many persons have been questioning where they can get them cashed. The Ministry wishes to remind that the vouchers are valid until November 30 and can be cashed at any post office, Money Gram, or Sure Pay, all of the alternate venues.

The Ministry has also noted that persons who cannot walk have been

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, interacts withpensioners during the distribution exercise in Region Four this past week. On occasions, she personally helped with the work.

showing up at distribution sites with their relatives.

These individuals are reminded that they can apply for 'shut-in' assistance so that their vouchers and books can be delivered to them.

“We are very happy with the turnout we are seeing.

This is the first time we are distributing the books of the coming year this early and we're happy that so many are coming out to uplift,” Deputy Director of Social Services, Hamwanttie Bisesar, said.

She pointed out that the Ministry is doing its best to fast track the process and called on pensioners to understand the reason they may have to wait for an extended period of time.

“The process takes a bit longer than usual because we have to go through one list for the pension book and one for the voucher, so we're asking everyone to bear with us because we have to go through two lists to get them their items,” she explained.

Meanwhile, several pensioners have thanked the Government and the Ministry of Human Services for making the assistance possible, noting that the extra money will help them with their bills, groceries, and other necessary expenses.

Sixty-seven-year-old Llewellyn Gardner got on the road at 5am last Monday and was therefore one of the first persons to uplift his book and voucher at the Campbellville Secondary School. “I feel blessed. Thank God for the President. I'm thankful for t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y, ” h e remarked.

Minister Persaud and Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar chipped in to make the work of the volunteers at the

Turkeyen site lighter last Monday. Due to the large number of persons present there, Dr. Persaud cancelled visiting the other locations, which she had planned and concentrated on helping

those present there. She also stopped in at other locations and stayed to help with the process.

The $25,000 cash grant and electricity subsidy, which was announced

recently by President Irfaan Ali, specifically targets vulnerable groups such as the e l d e r l y, p e r s o n s w i t h disabilities, and those who rely on public assistance.

Persons eligible for the

grant are urged to check the newspapers and the Facebook Page of the Human Services Ministry for regular updates and schedules.

(Human Services Ministry feature)

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Relentless Australia target Japan next after making World Cup history

Australia have won a record 11 World Cup qualifying games in a row (AFP/KARIM JAAFAR)

AFP - Australia coach Graham Arnold says his only focus is next week’s clash with Japan after the Socceroos became the first team to win 11 games in a row in the same World Cup qualifying campaign.

They achieved the historic feat by beating Oman 3-1 in Qatar on Thursday, with Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke getting on the scoresheet.

The victory ensured Australia top Group B on goal difference from Saudi Arabia in the third and final round o f A s i a n Wo r l d C u p qualifying for Qatar, having coasted through the previous rounds with eight straight wins.

In the process, they edged past Germany, Spain

...GASA Boss praise Sports Sunday October 10, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may be going through tremendous growth now.

Focus on this and see where you need to make some changes. This may be interrupted by powerful energy from other people.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Take charge of your life. Initiate action and major change in an important area.

Large trends are being activated today, alerting you to the fact that there's a great opportunity at hand.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) There's a free-spirited energy calling your name.

Latch onto it and manifest creative abundance in your life. Perhaps a major opportunity for change is knocking on your door.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There's electricity in the air today, which may spur you to make a significant change in one area of your life. Try not to rush on this one.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A major force confronts you now. It may seem like this energy will never stop.

It might be mental or physical, but either way, you may be letting it consume too much of your attention.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Keep your eyes open today.

Be on the lookout for opportunities and invitations.

Don't act too hastily. This is a key time in which life seems to be moving more quickly than ever.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're at the start of a very expansive time in your life, and opportunities are available whether you realize it or not. You may get the feeling that there's an area that needs a total overhaul.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Bizarre and unexpected events lie in store for you today, so don't be surprised if not everything goes according to plan. Take note that these events may be part of a larger trend indicative of a tremendous opportunity.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Unexpected events may throw you for a loop today, but these incidents could be part of a bigger trend that you should pay attention to.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You should team up with others and initiate action that resonates with your inner being. This might not be obvious now, but be on the lookout for unexpected events.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There's a powerful movement of energy in your life now.

Major overhauls and subsequent undertakings are just waiting for you to give the green light. Realize the potential of instigating a significant change in your life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) People of great power and drive may pop out of the woodwork today. They'll confront you directly and perhaps challenge you in some way. You may be at a climactic point right now.

From page 74 would have accepted the resignations and the entire executive Body was changed.

That body was replaced at the last elections and currently just three members of the past Administrators are a part of this one.

I would give credit to the honourable Treasurer for putting things in place for this to not ever happen again by implementing different measures of financial Management which includes a voucher preparation and approval system, three ‘two signature’ system.

We also produce monthly financial reports which is allowed to be scrutinised and an annual audited financial report if we see something is not right we will address it as quickly as we can,” Scott explained.

and Mexico, who each won 10 in a row on their paths to the World Cups in Russia 2018, South Africa 2010 and Germany 2006 respectively.

Australia’s streak, which stretches back to September 2019, is all the more impressive given every game bar one has been away from home due to Covid-19.

While praising his charges, Arnold stressed the job of booking their place at next year’s World Cup still wasn’t done and making history could wait.

“It’s something we’ll probably reflect on in the future and what a great feat it has been, especially playing 10 out of 11 games away from home,” he said.

“But to me it’s all about going to Japan and getting

ready for Japan in Japan and making it 12 (wins).”

Australia head to Japan at the weekend ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash with the Blue Samurai in Saitama, looking to not just bag another win but add to the eight clean sheets they have kept in the 11-match run.

Arnold said there were still areas of their game they must improve on.

“We got dragged into an erratic game at times. Oman threw a lot at us,” he said of their first-half performance.

“But once we got the boys in at half-time and calmed them down and we focused more on keeping the ball and moving them sideways and making them chase the ball, I felt that we took over the game.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 70

Sunday October 10, 2021

Curry praises Sohaib Maqsood ruled out of T20 World Lakers star James Cup, Shoaib Malik named replacement for longevity in NBA

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James prior to the preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) - Four-time NBA champion LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has set the standard for longevity in the league as the 36-year-old entered his 19th season, Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry said.

The 17-time All-Star James picked up his fourth NBA Finals MVP title last year after helping the Lakers win the championship over the Miami Heat, adding another accolade to his dazzling career.

Curry, who faced James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for four straight years in the NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, heaped praise on James.

“He set the standard for that,” Curry said before Friday’s preseason game against the Lakers, which the Warriors won 121-114.

“Nine straight Finals, all t h e t h i n g s t h a t h e ’s accomplished. You have a vision of sustaining your prime for as long as you can, kind of re-imagining what

that looks like.

“So you know the work that goes into it, especially in the off-seasons, especially how you take care of your body, your mind. Balance on court, off court.”

Two-time MVP Curry said James started attending his games while the Warriors star was still playing for Davidson College in North Carolina in 2008.

“For me, it’s a weird perspective just because I still remember my college days and he was just coming into his prime in the league,” Curry said.

“And my sophomore year, (NCAA) tournament run he came to a game, then came to a game my junior year. This is hilarious. I still have a jersey that he signed back in ’08 in my parents’ house back in Charlotte.

“So it’s kind of weird to think about what’s happened in the last 13, 14 years.”

The 2021-2022 NBA regular season will begin on Oct. 19.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) warms up before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. (Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)

SPNcricinfo Pakistan’s Sohaib Maqsood has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup after failing an MRI scan on his lower back.

Shoaib Malik will replace him in the squad, the PCB has confirmed.

Maqsood had sustained a back injury on October 6 while playing for Southern Punjab against Northern during the National T20 Cup at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which required him to rest and undergo an extensive rehabilitation process.

“Sohaib is devastated to miss out on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as he had worked hard for this event and was in sparkling form,” chief selector Muhammad Wasim said in the PCB release. “We feel for him but injuries are part and parcel of the sport. I am sure after undergoing rehabilitation, he’ll fully recover to be available for future assignments.

“In his place and following discussions with the team management, we have decided to include Shoaib Malik in the side. I am sure Shoaib’s experience will be handy for the entire squad.”

Malik was the captain of the side in the inaugural T20

Sohaib Maqsood failed an MRI scan on his lower back.

(Getty Images) World Cup in 2007 and was a member of the squad that lifted the trophy in 2009. He also played in the 2012, 2014 and 2016 editions.

But he has not played for Pakistan since the England tour last year and the selectors initially opted against picking him for the World Cup by preferring a younger prospect, while looking into the future.

Malik continued to play T20 leagues around the world, averaging 30.85 with a strike rate of 133.16 in the last one year in 49 games.

His inclusion now has made him the most capped player for Pakistan in ICC events - two ODI World

Cups (2011 and 2019), six Champions Trophies, and this will be his sixth T20 World Cup. More recently, however, Malik did not have a great run in the CPL for Guyana Amazon Warriors. In 11 games for them, he managed just 67 runs at an average of 7.44, the worst for a specialist batter (in the top six with minimum 10 innings) in a T20 tournament.

Maqsood had been in good form since making his return to the national team after a gap of five years, making a mark in recent tours of England and the West Indies. He then

followed it up by helping Multan Sultans to the PSL title this year, scoring five half-centuries from 12 innings at the top of the order and getting more runs in boundaries than any other player in the league.

Since the start of 2020 and leading up to this season’s PSL, Maqsood had the highest T20 strike rate among Pakistan batters and the ninth best on the global list (among those with a minimum of 500 runs and 20 innings). It was a marked improvement for the batter, who was previously striking at 125.79.

The Pakistan squad will depart for Dubai on October 15 and will play two warmup games, against West Indies and South Africa on October 18 and 20, before they begin their main campaign in a high-profile clash against India on October 24 in Dubai.

Squad: Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan (vicecapt), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik. Traveling reserves: Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.

FIFA plans to postpone Club World Cup until 2022

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ONDON (AP) — FIFA plans to postpone the Club World Cup until early next year due to hosting challenges linked to the pandemic, people familiar with the planning said.

Coronavirus restrictions led to Japan withdrawing from staging the seven-team tournament this December, and South Africa then abandoned a bid due to the need to get more of the country vaccinated.

FIFA is now exploring staging the event in January or February, the people told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss ongoing talks.

Qatar is an option — like in February when Bayern Munich won the delayed 2020 edition in Doha — to help the Gulf nation test venues for the men’s national teams’ World Cup that starts

Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal.

(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

in November 2022.

FIFA is already due to stage the Arab Cup competition in December in Qatar as part of World Cup preparations.

The Club World Cup could attract a more global fanbase, with Chelsea qualified as Champions League winners. It will

disrupt a Premier League weekend for the west London club, as would have been the case if the tournament was contested as planned in December.

An extended 24-team Club World Cup was due to debut this year in China but it was shelved because the pandemic required the

rescheduling of national team competitions in June and FIFA was unable to raise the necessary funding for the planned quadrennial event.

So the seven-team format was extended for another year, with the six continental club champions joining the domestic league winner from the host nation.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

PAGE 71

Grealish, Chilwell score first England goals in Andorra rout

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FP - Jack Grealish and Ben Chilwell scored their first England goals as the Group I leaders moved closer to World Cup qualification with a 5-0 rout of Andorra yesterday.

Chilwell put Gareth Southgate’s side ahead in the early stages before Bukayo Saka doubled the lead at the Estadi Nacional.

Tammy Abraham bagged his first England goal for two years after the interval and James Ward-Prowse claimed the fourth.

Grealish, in his first season with Manchester City after his club record move from Aston Villa, came off the bench to join Chilwell with his maiden England goal in the closing stages.

England are four points clear at the top of the group and need two wins from their last three games to make sure of automatic qualification for the World Cup. They have a home game against Hungary on Tuesday before hosting Albania and travelling to San Marino in November.

The Euro 2020 runnersup should have no problems emerging from that undemanding schedule with

England’s Jack Grealish scores their fifth goal. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)

a place at next year’s tournament in Qatar.

With Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho delivering influential displays for England, this was a walk in the park for the visitors.

The Estadi Nacional’s VAR monitor and a small section of the artificial pitch were damaged in a fire which tore through the stadium’s television gantry on Friday.

Southgate’s bench was on that side of the pitch, but

there was never any danger of the England boss being put on the hot seat by the team from a tiny principality located in the mountains of the Pyrenees.

Andorra, ranked 156 in the world, were intent only on keeping the score down, but their resistance soon went up in smoke.

- Foden shines Southgate made 10 alterations from the draw against Poland in England’s

previous qualifier as Roma striker Abraham made his first international start for four years.

Chilwell was one of Southgate’s changes and the Chelsea left-back headed narrowly wide before giving England the lead in the 17th minute.

Sancho made a clever run on Foden’s chipped pass before flicking the ball into Chilwell’s path for defender to slot into the empty net.

I n i t i a l l y, C h i l w e l l thought his first England goal would be ruled out for offside, but Ukrainian Kateryna Monzul — the first woman to referee an England men’s match — reversed the decision after a VAR check.

Sancho is yet to score a goal or provide an assist for Manchester United since his move from Borussia Dortmund in the closeseason.

Taking on Andorra’s part-timers was an ideal confidence boost for Sancho and his pin-point cross reached Abraham for a header that was well saved.

England had around 90 percent of the possession and it was Manchester City midfielder Foden who was at the heart of their more incisive moments.

Foden was the catalyst for England’s second goal in the 40th minute when his superb no-look pass found Saka and the Arsenal winger fired home at the near post.

Abraham has scored four goals since leaving Chelsea in August and he maintained that strong form in the 59th minute. Sancho whipped in a cross from the left and Abraham stuck out a leg to prod home from close-range.

Ward-Prowse grabbed England’s fourth in the 79th minute after Chus Rubio conceded a penalty with his foul on Grealish.

The Southampton midfielder’s spot-kick was saved by Josep Gomes but he recovered quickly to slam in the rebound.

With Andorra exhausted, Grealish was able to run onto goalkeeper Sam Johnstone’s long throw and slot in from 10 yards in the 86th minute.

Mane among goals as Senegal move closer to winning World Cup group

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FP - Liverpool star Sadio Mane was among the goals as Senegal cruised to a 41 win over Namibia yesterday, and near-certain qualification for the final World Cup elimination round in Africa.

Another victory over the Namibians on Tuesday will seal first place in Group H for the Senegalese, who are chasing a second successive appearance at the global showpiece.

The convincing matchday 3 triumph in Thies near Dakar lifted Senegal to nine points while Namibia have four, Congo Brazzaville two and Togo one.

Namibia must face star-stacked Senegal a second time within four days at neutral Soweto on the outskirts of Johannesburg because they do not have an internationalstandard stadium.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye gave the Teranga Lions an early lead in Senegal that Turkey-based Famara Diedhiou increased before half-time.

After Mane claimed his third goal of the qualifying campaign on 55 minutes, Joslin Kamatuka pulled one goal back only for Keita Balde to restore the three-goal gap.

Liverpool star Sadio Mane (R) was among the scorers for Senegal in a convincing World Cup qualifying victory over Namibia on Saturday.

(AFP/Giuseppe CACACE)

In Casablanca, Ayoub el Kaabi scored in each half as Morocco cantered to a 3-0 Group I win over Guinea-Bissau and, like Senegal, the north Africans can punch a

ticket to the final round on Tuesday.

The Moroccans play Guinea in a rescheduled matchday 2 fixture in Rabat and victory will give the Atlas Lions an uncatchable eight-

point lead as they chase a sixth World Cup appearance.

Pacesetters South Africa remain one point ahead of Ghana in Group G after both nations achieved 3-1 victories.

South Africa overcame thirdplaced Ethiopia in Bahir Dar while Ghana were too good for bottom side Zimbabwe in Cape Coast.

Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made several superb first-half saves for South Africa, who snatched the lead just before half-time through Teboho Mokoena.

- South Africa triumph Famed for his powerful shooting off set pieces, Mokoena seemed overly ambitious by aiming to score from a free-kick well outside the box, but goalkeeper Fasil Gebremichael spilled the ball into the net.

Another free-kick brought Ethiopia level midway into the second half with Getaneh Kebede exploiting poorly-positioned Williams as he rifled the ball into the net.

South Africa regained the lead within four minutes as a long throw was nodded on to Mothobi Mvala, who netted from close range.

Bafana Bafana (The Boys)

clinched maximum points in the first minute of added time when substitute Evidence Makgopa broke clear and his lob over Gebremichael landed in the net.

South Africa have seven points, fellow three-time World Cup participants Ghana six, Ethiopia three and Zimbabwe one.

Zimbabwe faced Ghana after expressing unhappiness at the hard, uneven pitch with knee-high grass on which they had to practice.

Playing under Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac for the first time after Charles Akonnor was sacked following a loss in South Africa last month, Ghana led within five minutes through Mohammed Kudus.

Knowledge Musona equalised via an early second-half penalty only for Ghana to regain the lead through Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey and long-serving Andre Ayew added a third goal near the end.

Rajevac has returned for a second spell in charge of Ghana having guided the Black Stars to second place in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and the quarterfinals of the World Cup the same year.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 72

Sunday October 10, 2021

Hamilton’s 102nd pole was perfect damage limitation

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P - Wo r l d champion Lewis Hamilton’s r e c o r d extending 102nd Formula One pole position yesterday was a perfect case of damage limitation considering his 10-place grid penalty.

Although the seven-time F1 champion will start from 11th, he’s still in a good position to score some big points in today’s race, where title rival Max Verstappen starts from second behind H a m i l t o n ’s M e r c e d e s teammate Valtteri Bottas.

Hamilton finished .13 seconds ahead of Bottas and .33 ahead of Verstappen — the same as Verstappen’s car number — but all the leading drivers move up one slot.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc goes from third with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly in fourth.

It leaves Verstappen well poised to close the two-point gap and reclaim the championship lead from Hamilton in a thrilling battle that could go to the wire with six races left after this one.

Verstappen has made blistering starts this season and will be confident of an 18th career win, providing he gets by Bottas early on.

“I hope for a clean getaway but starting on the

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, with his award for winning pole position.

(Umit Bektas/Pool Photo via AP) inside will be tricky.

There is very low grip in both dry and wet conditions compared to the outside,” h e s a i d . “ We ’ l l t r y everything we can to keep the Mercedes behind but it’s not going to be easy, they’ve had great pace all weekend.”

Hamilton’s grid penalty was for going over his allocation of three combustion engines for the

GOA mourns the loss of Ramdhani

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he President and executive of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has expressed condolences following the passing of former Council member, Gokarn Randhani.

Following is the full release issued by the GOA: “It is with shock and great sadness that the Guyana Olympic Association has learnt of the passing last (Friday) evening of Mr. Gokarn Ramdhani, President of the Guyana Badminton Association, Council Member of the GOA and an executive member of several regional bodies.

Mr. Ramdhani will be remembered for his passion and dedication to sport and more especially the development of Badminton in Guyana, the sport that was dearest in his heart and was the father and coach of two of the Caribbean’s most outstanding badminton

players.

The GOA has had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr. Ramdhani during his time as a Council member and for his sterling and outstanding contributions made over the years to the activities of the Guyana Olympic Association. Mr. Ramdhani has represented the GOA on several occasions with distinction at Regional and International Games be it as Chef De Mission, Manager or Coach. The sporting fraternity has suffered a tremendous loss and more so Guyana has lost a great son and leader.

On behalf of the President, Executive and members of the Guyana Olympic Association, we wish to extend our sincere condolences to his wife, children and other members of the Ramdhani family, friends, executive and members of the Guyana Badminton Association.”

season. He will go for a record-extending 101st F1 win, although that will prove difficult with so much quality traffic in front of him.

Hamilton also has to get past two-time F1 champion

Fernando Alonso — who showed in Hungary he’s still an absolute master at defensive driving — McLaren’s speedy Lando Norris and Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez.

“I imagine tomorrow is going to be difficult to move up,” Hamilton said. “We’ve got the long straight down the back, so we’ll see what we can do.”

Verstappen felt the car improved after some complications in Friday’s two practice sessions.

“The laps were quite good. We lost a bit down the straight, we’ll have to look into that. Overall, quite a decent recovery from yesterday,” Verstappen said. “Let’s wait and see what the weather will do overnight. Let’s see how competitive we will be in the race. Obviously tire wear is quite high around this track.”

Bottas is still seeking his first win of the season and could get it this time with Hamilton perhaps too far back to challenge.

“I’m on pole so should be good,” the Finnish driver said. “I’ll focus on my own race tomorrow and try to keep up the good pace.”

Leclerc, meanwhile, is aiming for a 14th career podium.

“If the conditions are dry, I am confident that we have good potential,” he said.

As the afternoon rain started to fall on an overcast Saturday afternoon, drivers tried to do quick early laps in Q1 before the track got too wet.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. spun off track and got back on, as did AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda, while Hamilton went wide on Turn 5.

Hamilton topped Q1 ahead of Verstappen and Bottas, while McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo — winner of eight F1 races — was the biggest name among the five knocked out of it.

“I struggled to get more out of the soft tires,” Ricciardo said. “No excuses.”

Although Hamilton again topped Q2 ahead of

Bottas and Verstappen, he also complained of not getting enough heat into his tires.

Leclerc had an issue with downforce and lost the rear of his Ferrari as he slid off track midway through Q2.

That damaged his tires a little and put him at risk of not qualifying for Q3.

But the driver from Monaco got through on his last lap, while four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel missed out for Aston Martin.

The 5.3-kilometer (3.3mile) Istanbul Park circuit was fairly dry by Q3 and Hamilton took control without too much trouble.

He leads Verstappen by two points in a thrilling title race but could well be overtaken by the Dutchman.

Hamilton trails Verstappen 7-5 for wins and 7-4 for poles this season.

Earlier, Gasly posted the fastest time in a rainy third and final practice.

Sainz Jr. starts from last after a complete engine change earlier this week.

MCYS shocked to learn of Ramdhani’s sudden passing Extend condolences to grieving family and friends

I

t was with utter shock on Friday evening that the news of the passing of former Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) President Gokarn Ramdhani made its way across Guyana and the globe with rippling effects of disbelief.

As reported, Ramdhani, the heart and soul of Badminton in Guyana and further afield suffered a massive heart attack and succumbed in Canada where he was residing with his family.

Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., like many others was in disbelief to learn of the former son of the soil’s untimely passing.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle who also expressed astonishment on Ramdhani’s passing, spoke on behalf of Minister Ramson.

“The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Hon. Charles Ramson Jr. and the National Sports Commission wish to extend deepest condolences to the wife, children and family of President of the Guyana Badminton Association Gokarn Ramdhani.

The sporting fraternity and Guyana have lost a true patriot who dedicated his life to the development of Badminton. May his soul rest in peace.”

Ramdhani was a former Council Member of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Council Member of the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO), Vice President Communications of the

The late Gokarn Ramdhani (2nd right) with his family in happier times.

Badminton Pan American Confederation (BPAC), Second Vice President of the Confederation Central American and Caribbean Badminton (CONCECABA).

He leaves to mourn his wife Emily, a

son and daughter, Narayan and Priyanna, family and friends. Kaieteur Sport joins with the Badminton family and by extension Guyana in sending sincere condolences to the Ramdhani family.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

PAGE 73

US Open champ Raducanu upset at Indian Wells; Murray wins I

NDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Emma Raducanu came down to earth in her first tournament since her surprising U.S. Open victory, losing in straight sets to Aliaksandra Sasnovich at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday night.

Raducanu lost 6-2, 6-4 in the second round, ending her 10-match winning streak that began in New York. She received a wild-card into the combined ATP and WTA tournament in the Southern California desert.

It was Raducanu’s fifth Tour-level event since making her WTA Tour debut in June.

“I’m kind of glad that what happened today happened so I can learn and take it as a lesson so going forward I’ll just have more experience banked,” she said.

Former world No. 1 Andy Murray beat Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-2 in his first match as a wild-card.

Murray fired five aces and connected on 82% of his first serves against the French l e f t y - h a n d e r. M u r r a y converted three of six break points; Mannarino failed in his lone chance to break.

Leyla Fernandez, who lost to Raducanu in the U.S. Open final, defeated Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-3. Fernandez converted 5 of 9 break points and hit 71% of her second

Alaksandra Sasnovich returns a shot to Emma Raducanu at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Friday Oct. 8, 2021, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Emma Raducanu reacts after losing a point to Alaksandra Sasnovich at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Friday Oct. 8, 2021, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) serves.

Sasnovich, a 27-year-old from Belarus ranked 100th in the world, reached the doubles semifinals last month at the U.S. Open while Raducanu was completing a stunning run from qualifier to champion at age 18.

“Emma just won the U.S. Open and I lost there in the first round,” Sasnovich said, “so it was a little bit different.”

Sasnovich got service breaks to take leads of 3-1 and 5-2 and close out the set in 30 minutes without ever losing her serve.

Raducanu rallied in the second set, taking a 4-2 lead.

But Sasnovich broke for a fifth time and led 5-4 before serving out the match.

Sasnovich won 53% of her second serves to just 29% for Raducanu.

“I’m still so new to everything,” Raducanu said.

“The experiences that I’m going through right now, even though I might not feel 100 percent amazing right now, I know they’re for the greater good.”

Sasnovich advanced to play No. 11 seed Simona Halep in the third round.

Halep beat Marta Kostyuk 76 (2), 6-1.

Iga Swiatek needed just 71 minutes to dispatch Petra Martic 6-1, 6-3.

Former junior national and GFA player Kerdell Younge gives back Former Under-15 and 17 national player Kerdell Younge who played with Beacon and Alpha United Football Clubs in the City has made a donation of 48 footballs to the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) to be distributed to its sixteen (16) affiliates.

The simple hand over took place yesterday at the Georgetown Football Club Ground when the GFA Academy Training Centre was in full swing.

Junior Forrester, cousin of Younge handed over one of the balls to GFA Vice President Akram Sabre in the presence of President Otis James and other officials.

Foster informed that Younge, who now lives in Albany New York, was instrumental in persuading his workplace, Adirondack to donate the balls to the clubs through the GFA. The company noted that over the past decade, it has been fortunate to welcome wonderful Guyanese families joining the entity.

“We are glad that our employee, a former Guyana soccer player Kerdell Younge brought to our attention the opportunity to

Kerdell Younge donate the soccer balls to the sixteen clubs in the Georgetown Football Association. We hope that the gift provides the players with happiness, and the joy of playing the game.”

GFA President, Otis James in remarks said that the donation is a timely one as his Association is seeking to rebuild. He expressed gratitude to Younge and Adirondack whilst encouraging others to come on board and assist the Association.

The last time the tournament was played in 2019, Swiatek lost in qualifying. Now, she’s the No. 2 seed and the 2020 French Open champion.

Swiatek won nine of the first 10 games against Martic before the Polish star got broken twice and fell behind 0-3 in the second set.

Swiatek rallied to win the next six games and close out the match.

“In 2019, I wasn’t playing that confident, but

I’m really happy that times have changed now,” Swiatek said. “In the second set, I lost focus for one game and she broke me pretty fast, so I knew I just had to keep going and not stop for a second time.”

No. 4 seed Elina S v i t o l i n a b e a t Te r e z a Martineova 6-2, 7-5. No. 7 Petra Kvitova beat Arantxa Rus 6-2, 6-2. Ninth-seeded Anatasia Pavlyuchenkova topped American Madison Keys 6-3, 6-1.

Vi c t o r i a A z a r e n k a advanced via walkover when Magda Linette quit trailing 7-5, 3-0. Shelby Rogers routed Kristina Kucova 6-2, 6-2. No. 19 Jessica Pegula beat Sloane Stephens 6-2, 63.

On the men’s side, Americans Jenson Brooksby and Ernesto Escobedo won their first-round matches.

Brooksby beat Cem Ilkel 7-6 (5), 6-4, and Escobedo defeated Holger Rune 6-4, 61.

Moore off to great start in NJCAA circuit

Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) middle distance athlete, Aaliyah Moore, who joined the long list of Guyanese studentathlete alumni at New York’s Monroe College, has continued what others before her left off, and with fantastic results in her first three races in the NJCAA circuit, says it all.

The former North Ruimveldt Secondary student, who is studying Business Administration at Monroe, finished 40th in a field of 115 in her opening race of the season, a cross country event but came back strong in her next two races, winning both.

From a field of 88 competitors; mostly from the higher NCAA division, Moore finished her second 6k race in dominant fashion with a time of 25:03.6, which was 50 seconds ahead of her teammate Tshwanelo Maruping, who finished second.

The performance was so impressive that in her only NJCAA competitive race, she was awarded the NJCAA Cross Country

Women’s Runner of the Week award.

The 20-year-old then impressively took first place for the second straight meet, leading the Monroe College Mustangs women’s cross country team to a seventhplace finish at the Highlander XC Challenge, hosted by New Jersey Institute of Technology at Branch Brook Park, last weekend.

Moore was the first of five Mustangs to set personal-best 5K times in the meet where she bested 234 competitors with a time of 18m 02.53s.

The student-athlete was recognised as the NJCAA Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week for her amazing running.

In an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, the young lady noted that she has four more meets for the season and she is looking to maintain and exceed her performances on her journey towards greatness.

Her goal remains to break under the twominute mark in her pet event, the 800m.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 74

Sunday October 10, 2021

GASA Boss praise Sports Minister’s Sports Academy initiative Despite Covid, four C/Ships set for the rest of the year Guyana record holder in the Women’s 50m freestyle Aleka Persaud just after she achieved the feat in the Tokyo Olympics

Dwayne Scott

By Sean Devers President of Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), former National Hockey player Dwayne Scott was high in praise for the soon to be launched Sports Academy which is the brain child of Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport Charles Ramson jnr.

The launching of the Sports Academy for the 12 Core Sports is scheduled for some time next week and Scott says the objective of the Academy mandates you at have different levels of development from Nursery to Intermediate to Elite.

It also needs to design programmes both locally and internationally and venues are critical for training and holding local tournaments. “Every club has a nursery programme and are mandated to hold at least one tournament per year in addition to the meets organised by GASA. And now we have the commitment from the Sports Minister and the NSC to support us with funding to run such events, I suspect that we will soon see sports catapulting locally,” said the GASA Head.

Scott, who was elected as G A S A’ P r e s i d e n t l a s t November in the height of the Covid Pandemic to serve of two-year term, informed that three overseas and a local Meet is scheduled for the remainder of the year.

“A qualifier for the World Championships, which will be held on October 23, This Meet is to identify Athletes to represent Guyana in the short course Event in Abu Dhabi.

Regionally, the South American Championships will be held in Peru before the Junior Pan Am in November and the World Championships in December are held,” said the

44-year-old Scott.

Olympian Aleka Persaud, Leon Seaton Jr, Paul Mahaica Jr, Daniel Claxton, Elliott Gonsalves, Sekhel Tzedeq, Patrice Mahaica, and Ariel Rodrigues have been selected for a camp in Peru.

“We hope to send the athletes to Peru for two weeks but there is a possibility that it could be extended beyond two weeks to accommodate additional sessions in preparation for the four athletes who have been selected for the junior Pan American Games.

These athletes were selected from a Swim Meet we had on August 22 which we had received approval from the Task Force.

Having looked at the performance of the Athletes in a series of events they took part in and based on aggregate times we were able to identify these key Athletes… granted there

were some Athletes missing for various reasons.

Mind you we have committed to deliver the performances and improvement of 19 athletes and this goal still remains a big part of we will do.

These eight athletes will just be in the first tier of development and will not be removed but others will be added.

There is a strong possibility that more names will be added to the list of names for the South American Championships but for now these are the athletes that we have selected and the process that we have done.”

Scott informed that there is a quota of four swimmers for the Junior Pan Am Games a n d t h e Wo r l d Championships, while 12 can attend the South American Championships.

“We select people on performance by the Coaches

and the technical committee based on the criteria that we have set; which are a points system related by time and a formula used to calculate the time swam at the Events.

Different Events have different time calculations for the points system…so you will find that those who swim longer races or different events will have different calculations on the different times they swim.

It’s not an easy process… it’s a very complex system of performance, time and previous time and is done by the technical committee.”

“The Task Force has asked GASA to have everyone vaccinated. We were asked to send a list of all Swimmers and Coaches who are of age to be approved for vaccination and we have encouraged everyone to get vaccinated.

We had to submit the names to the Task Force before our last meet.

We continue to adhere to all Covid protocols and so far we have not had any positive cases at any meet, locally or

Leon Seaton

international that we have attended.

If you understand science…we swim in chlorinated water and bleach is one of the remedies for this virus, in addition, you exhale below the water, while the Pool at the Aquatic Centre is only open for the 19 swimmers presently in training,” said Scott.

“Due to the pandemic which started two years back we have lost Athletes who could not do anything and they turned to other things, some of them practically do nothing, they just sit at home and play Video games.

People would have gained weight and the sport requires a continuous regiment of exercise and the absence of that for an Athlete means that the process has been cut off and you have to now recondition every Athlete you bring back into the Pool.

Even if dry land training, Pool time is very important since you use every muscle when you swim but there are some key muscles that needs to be trained to be exceptional in the sport and you have to retrain all those muscles again,” Scott lamented.

According to Scott, GASA has six fully qualified Coaches in Guyana and they are used on a rotational system.

“We ensure that every year each Coach attends at least one International meet.

This is agreed to by the council which mandates how we operate and is guided by the technical committee which comprise of the Coaches and the technical people who set and assists systems in the adherence to the FINA rules.

There are Coaching clinics run by FINA and the

GOA and whenever those sessions are held we ensure that all of the Coaches attend,” disclosed Scott.

GASA will have two FINA clinics on November 5 and 27 which include school, Ministry and Hinterland (Open Water) Coaches and the successful ones will be accredited by FINA, who funds these clinics.

Scott informed that the Sports Ministry and NSC are refurbishing Pools, including the Castellani Pool in Kingston and upgrading the Aquatic Centre by installing lights and putting roofs on the stands.

“When completed we could hold night Meets and attract more spectators and sponsors to Swimming. We have six clubs but I want to expand the sport beyond Georgetown and Linden,” said Scott.

GASA called a Special General Meeting to deal with financial improprieties in 2019 and Scott was asked how did he deal with that issues, has anything being put in place to bring those responsible to justice? And what is being done to ensure that financial improprieties do not happen again?

The GASA President responded that there were some findings of monies were spent and not accounted for and these findings were brought to the Council and those responsible resigned.

“Mind you the audit which was conducted did not find that the monies were used for personal benefits but that does not say that wrong-doings were not conducted.

And hence at that time, which was way before I was involved in the Sport at this level, the then Council (Continued on page 69)

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 10, 2021

PAGE 75

Briton John to defend Kadir Mohamed Memorial ‘Ounce of Gold’ Cycle Road Race title today

W

e S t a n d United Cycle Club’s Briton John will be going all out to defend his title when the 10th annual Kadir Mohamed Memorial ‘Ounce of Gold’ Cycle Road Race is held today from the City to the Linden Soesdyke Highway and back.

Sponsored by the M o h a m e d ’s f a m i l y o f Bartica and organised by the Flying Stars Cycling Club (FSCC), Briton John, who just days ago returned from the USA, will not have a easy time as he is expected to receive stiff competition from Jamual John who has also recently returned to these shores from the USA. The likes of Walter Grant-Stuart, Paul DeNobrega, Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith, Alex Mendes, Andrew Hicks, Curtis Dey and Andre ‘Padlock’ Green, among others will also be in

Many of these cyclists would be competing in today’s ‘Ounce of Gold’ Race. (Franklin Wilson photo) contention for the ‘Ounce of Gold’.

Among the juniors who’ll be in contention are Mario Washington and Aaron Newton, while the pre-juniors contest would see Alex Leung among others in the line up to win.

National Time Trial and Road Race Queen, Suzanne Hamilton will be the favourite to the ladies contest.

The race will pedal off from 07:30hrs outside Banks DIH, Thirst Park and will see the seniors, juniors and

veterans Under-50 riding all the way to Dora (Coca Cola sign) on the Linden Soesdyke Highway before returning to the starting line for the finish.

Veterans Over-50, prejuniors and Ladies would be cycling to the Yarrowkabra

Junction also on the Linden Soesdyke Highway before returning to Thirst Park for the finish.

The top six (6) seniors, top five (5) veterans U-50 and top three (3) juniors, veterans O-50, pre-juniors and Ladies will all be

rewarded.

All Covid-19 protocols would be observed while the presentation of prizes would take place at a later date; the time and venue would be communicated to all before the start of today’s event.